Do your kids love history? Consider the Tar Heel Junior Historian Association

For decades, the Tar Heel Junior Historian Association has been a constant at the N.C. Museum of History. The association, authorized by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1953, is comprised of free clubs across the state for kids in grades four to twelve and at least one adult adviser.

The goal is to get kids excited about learning about state and local history as they tackle projects and activities. And some have had big results. According to the history museum, one group discovered and documented a forgotten cemetery in New Bern. Another helped raise awareness and funding to restore Pullen Park's carousel years ago. And another was successful in getting an all-African American crew awarded a posthumous medal from the U.S. Coast Guard for their heroic rescue 100 years ago.

Tar Heel Junior Historian clubs can be sponsored by schools — public, private and home schools. They're also sponsored by museums, historical societies and groups such as 4-H, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Clubs can be any size — from one student and one adviser to hundreds of students and several advisers, the museum's website says.

If you're interested in learning more, head over to the museum's website. Now is the time to get started for the coming school year.