What is Boys State?

Inaugurated in 1935, the American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students. The American Legion, the largest veteran’s service organization in the country, developed the participatory program in which students become part of the operation of local, county, and state government.  At Boys State, participants learn the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, county, and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses, and recreational programs.

For nearly ninety years, the American Legion Tar Heel Boys State program has challenged rising high school seniors from across North Carolina with a civic and leadership-focused curriculum. For generations, the best and the brightest of North Carolina’s young men have gathered at a college campus to debate some of the most challenging topics of their time: from taxes to abortion to the integration of public schools, delegates discussed and created legislation in this mock government simulation.

How does it work?

Delegates are selected by the American Legion post in their community. After filling out the online application, interested students will next be contacted by members of the local post. Post officers are looking for a few qualities and characteristics: a good delegate is willing to volunteer in the classroom and outside it; is willing to collaborate with others; excels academically; demonstrates leadership in his school and personal life; is willing to learn, socially and academically. After a brief interview and a review of his academic transcript, the potential delegate will be compared against other applicants before being chosen by the officers of his local American Legion post. The number of delegates sponsored by a particular American Legion post is at the discretion of its officers.

After being selected, delegates will report to Catawba College on the Sunday afternoon of program week. He alone will go through program sign-in where he will meet one of his counselors, and receive his uniform shirt, and dorm room key (following receipt of a key deposit). Following program sign-in, the delegate will move into his dorm room, shared with a delegate from a different part of North Carolina.

At THBS, delegates are assigned into small groups called cities. Coming to together for the first time as a single body, the city will write its charter: a unifying document describing the geography and ideals of the city they are establishing. Next delegates will hold the first election of the week for their leader: the Mayor of their city. Over the week, delegates will have the opportunity to run for offices at the city, county, and state levels of government and should expect a realistic election: after a two-party primary, the winners will face a quick general election often decided by a handful of votes. 

Winning candidates build coalitions by making friends and promises, but it’s up to those supporters to hold him accountable once he’s in office. 

Once elected, delegates will navigate scenarios via our “Government-In-Action” (GIA) sessions. All delegates have a GIA assignment that falls within one of three following categories: Legislative Program, Judicial Program, and the City and County Program. Delegates should expect categorically relevant scenarios that challenge him to take on the role of an elected official collaboratively responding to budget challenges, public opinion, navigating court cases, and crises influenced by real-life civic leaders. 

Other Program highlights:

In addition to the immersive academic curriculum, delegates will attend lectures hosted by civic and business leaders from across the state. Past speakers have included US Senators, Governors, business owners, and faith leaders. 

Graduating from Tar Heel Boys State qualifies the delegate for numerous scholarships as well as points toward Service Academy applications. Many of these schools attend our mid-week college fair, where delegates can make personal contact with admission counselors from Ivy League schools, Service Academies, and some of the top four-year schools in the southeastern United States. 

To best prepare your delegate for a busy week of learning, ensure he has the following materials prior to his arrival:

Required Items:

• Bed Linens

• Pillow

• Bath Towles

• Toiletries

• Khaki Pants /Shorts

• Closed Toe Shoes

Optional Items to Bring

• Snacks

• Drinks

• Organizational Materials

• Office Supplies to make Campaign Materials

Items NOT to Bring

• Alcohol

• Tobacco

• Jewelry

• Weapons/Knives