In just two years and three months, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026—the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Through the America 250 initiative, the congressionally appointed U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission is hosting “America’s Field Trip” by inviting students in grades 3–12 to answer the question “What does America mean to you?”

Seventy-five students (25 from each grade-level category) named first-place winners will each receive a three-day, two-night trip (with a parent or guardian as chaperone) to an iconic American site, such as the Statue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge, Yellowstone or Rocky Mountain national parks, the New York financial district, or the Library of Congress, among others. Second-place awardees will each receive $500, and the teacher associated with the top scoring student submissions in each grade level category will receive a $1,000 cash award.

The deadline to apply for America’s Field Trip is May 1. Grade-level submission requirements are:

• Elementary school (grades 3–5): Submit artwork or a short essay of up to 100 words.
• Middle school (grades 6–8): Submit artwork or a short video (up to two minutes).
• High school (grades 9–12): Submit an essay (up to 1,000 words) or a short video (up to two minutes).

Entries will be judged based on clarity of idea, student voice, and presentation.

America250 has partnered with Discovery Education to develop lesson plans for each of the three grade levels with the lesson plans culminating in students’ preparing their America’s Field Trip entries.

Learn more about America’s Field Trip and the national America250 initiative at america250.org/fieldtrip.