America 250-Field Trip is a nationwide student contest sponsored by America250, the nonpartisan entity responsible for planning the nation’s Semiquincentennial. Grades 3-12 students can participate by sharing their perspectives on America’s significance and earning a unique field trip experience at 16 iconic American landmarks or cultural sites, including Mount Rushmore, the National Archives Museum, Kennedy Space Center, and Yellowstone National Park.
When does the America’s Field Trip contest starts?
- October 15, 2025 ( Wednesday at 12:00 a.m. ET) – March 30, 2026 (Monday at 5:00 p.m. PT/8:00 p.m. ET)
Eligibility
- Any student in grades 3–12 who is a legal resident of any of the 50 states, the District of
Columbia, or the five U.S. territories eligible to enter. - First- and second-prize awardees from the previous two America’s Field Trip contests are not eligible to enter or win.
Note: Students under the age of 18 must have a teacher, parent, or legal guardian upload the entry through the adjacent file submission portal.
Want to Join America’s Field Trip Contest? Here’s How to Apply!
- Visit America’s Field Trip Contest Application
- Enter the valid Email address
- Submission and the Contest information will be sent through the email
- Choose the Type of Submission (Individual / Multiple (Teachers Only)
- Select the Grade (3rd – 5th / 6th – 8th / 9th – 12th)
- Enter the relationship to the Entrant (Parent/Legal Guardian/ Teacher)
- Enter Teacher Name, Email, School Name, School City / State
How Students can make submission for America 250-Field Trip Contest?
| Grade | How to submit? |
| Elementary School
(3rd to 5th) |
Students can submit either a short written response (up to 100 words) or artwork, including a high-resolution photo of physical art. |
| Middle School
(6th to 8th) |
Participants can share their creativity through artwork, submitted as a high-res image, or a brief written response of up to 250 words. |
| High School
(9th to 12th) |
Entries can include a high-resolution photo of artwork or a written piece containing no more than 500 words. |
Note: If you submit artwork, your attachment should not be larger than 30MB and must be in one of the following file formats: PDF, JPG, PHG, or HEIC.
How many times a student enter the America’s Field Trip contest?
- Only one submission per entrant is permitted.
- Participants have the option to submit one form of entry: written or artistic.
- Submitting multiple entries may result in the disqualification of all entries.
What to do if there’s trouble on submitting an entry?
If you are having trouble submitting, please try the following steps.
- Clear your cache.
- Try to submit through different browser.
- If you are submitting on the school’s internet, please try using a different Wifi network to ensure your school does not have a firewall that may be blocking access to the submission portal.
If you’re still having issues after trying the above steps, please email [email protected].
Which criteria will determine the Contest Winners?
A panel of current and former educators will evaluate submissions based on Student Voice (50%), Clarity of Idea (25%), and Presentation (25%).
| Student Voice – 50% |
|
| Clarity of Idea – 25% |
|
| Presentation – 25% |
|
How many Students will be selected?
- A total of 250 students will be awarded a special behind-the-scenes field trip experience this summer or a cash prize.
Which places make up America’s 250 Best Field Trip Spots?
| Montevallo, Alabama | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Atlanta, Georgia | New York City, New York |
| Boston, Massachusetts | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Cape Canaveral, Florida | San Francisco, California |
| Charleston, South Carolina | Mount Rushmore, South Dakota |
| Dallas, Texas | Washington, DC and Virginia |
| Montana and Wyoming | |
How will you Experience America’s Legendary Landmarks During the 250th Independence Day?
For a three-day, two-night vacation to specific historical or cultural locations, each of the 125 first-place winners and their chaperone will get airfare and accommodation. During their stay, they will have the opportunity to experience one of the following:
Dallas, Texas
In addition to a VIP experience of the George W. Bush Presidential Center and Library, you will get the opportunity to explore the brand-new National Medal of Honor Museum.
Louisiana
A fascinating journey through history, culture, and gastronomy in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Atlanta, Georgia
Discover the history and innovation behind The Coca-Cola Company with a guided visit at Georgia.
Florida
Private guided tour and meet a retired astronaut at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Washington, DC
Exclusive visits to two iconic Washington, DC, institutions: a special tour of the White House and a trip inside the vault of the National Archives on the National Mall
Behind the scenes tour of the brand new National Geographic Museum of Exploration and Smithsonian Sleepover at American History in Washington, DC
South Dakota
Storytelling, history, and commemoration under the stars at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota
Montana and Wyoming
Exclusive guided journey through Yellowstone National Park in Montana and Wyoming (*This field trip will be offered twice)
Boston, Massachusetts
Discover Boston’s Revolutionary War landmarks — from Bunker Hill to Dorchester Heights and the Boston Harbor
South Carolina
Private tours of Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, the International African American Museum, and the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, South Carolina
New York City
Exclusive visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, walking tour of historic Lower Manhattan, and a performance of HAMILTON.
Pennsylvania
Beyond the ropes tour of Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
California
Guided visit to Angel Island Immigration Station and candlelight tour of Fort Point beneath the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California
Virginia
Exclusive curator-led experiences at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC and George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Virginia
Alabama
Immersive Revolutionary War experience at the American Village.
Participants should follow the below instructions
- Have fun, be creative, and let your individuality shine!
- Share your unique American story and that of your family or community.
- Speak to teachers, parents, and friends for ideas.
- Imagine about the next 250 years — your submission can look to the future as well as reflect on the past.
- Adhere to submission guidelines and word count limit for your grade level.
Important information for the Contestants
- Don’t include your full name, address, e-mail address, phone number, age, or school name in your entry.
- Do not submit work that was made by someone else. AI TOOLS Not Allowed.
- Don’t develop an entry as a group or team — each entry must be from one student.
- Avoid using names or images of family and friends in your submission.
- Ensure your entry contains only original content, free of copyrighted material. This includes celebrity names, sports teams, song lyrics written by others, photos, brand names, or logos. DO NOT PLAGIARIZE OR USE ANOTHER PERSON’S WORK.
America 250 – Independence Day: How / Where to Celebrate? What’s New?
When and how will the awardees be notified?
- First-prize awardees: Notified in late April 2026 via email at the email address(es) provided in the Entry.
- Second-prize awardees: Mid-to-late May 2026 via email at the email address(es) provided in the Entry.
America’s Field Trip Contest – Awards & Prizes
125 First-place Winners:
Their designated chaperone will receive travel and lodging for a 3 day, 2 night trip to a select historical or cultural site in July and August 2026.
125 Second-place Winners:
Receive $500 cash awards and three educators will each earn $1,000. Award recipients will
be notified in late April 2026.
FAQ
1. Can Student allow to submit a video or audio entry?
- No, only writing and artwork submissions will be accepted.
2. Are homeschooled students eligible to enter?
- Yes.
3. Can student awardees bring their families on field trips?
- Students are required to have one chaperone, which must be a parent or legal guardian or replacement family member guest, who must be at least 25 years of age and have full Power of Attorney, including medical, for the duration of the field trip.
4. Can I submit the artwork with a caption, description, or explanation?
- Yes, however the copy must be part of the image that is uploaded for the artwork category. It is not possible to provide a caption, description, or explanation separate from the artwork.
5. Will entrants who did not win be notified?
- Non-winners will be notified via email at the email address(es) provided in the Entry once all prizes have been awarded.
