Attention neighbors! Our partners at America250 are kicking off a special opportunity for grade school students across the country – see below for all the details!
America has always been a land of opportunity, diversity, and freedom. As we approach our 250th anniversary as a country, we are reminded of the powerful impact our nation has had on individuals, communities, and the world. To celebrate this milestone, America250 is proud to host America’s Field Trip, an exciting contest and free opportunity for students across the United States to earn a once-in-a-lifetime trip to an iconic American landmark by sharing their unique perspectives on what America means to them!
Encouraging Creativity and Reflection
America’s Field Trip invites all students in grades 3-12 to reflect on our nation’s values, achievements, and future through original artwork or written responses. This is a chance for students to explore their creativity while thinking about the story of America and how it connects to their lives and families and helps inspire their future.
Whether a student chooses to create a painting that reflects their American experience or pen an essay about what this Nation means to them, the possibilities are endless. The contest is open to private, public, and homeschool students in grades 3-12, ensuring that every voice has the chance to be heard.
Who Can Participate?
The contest is open to all students in all 50 states, US territories, and Washington, DC. Elementary students in grades 3-5 are encouraged to submit artwork or a short written response of up to 100 words. Middle school students in grades 6-8 can submit artwork or a written response of up to 250 words, and high school students in grades 9-12 can submit artwork or a written response of up to 500 words.
No Cost, Big Opportunity
One of the most exciting aspects of America’s Field Trip is that there is no cost to participate. This makes it accessible for students everywhere to take part without any financial burden. Families and educators can support their students in submitting their best work—whether it’s a painting, drawing, digital artwork, or a thoughtfully written essay on what America means to them.
The deadline to submit is Wednesday, April 16th, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Students must submit their work online, with the help of a parent, teacher, or guardian if they are under 18 years old.
How to Submit
Students will upload their artwork or written response through America250’s online portal, where all the details and official rules are outlined. It’s important to remember that entries must be entirely the student’s own work, and there are a few guidelines to keep in mind—like keeping the file sizes under 30MB for artwork and following the word count for written responses.
What’s Next?
By participating in America’s Field Trip, students are not just submitting an entry—they are contributing to an inspirational national conversation about what it means to be American. Each student’s work will be a reflection of their own American story, and together, these entries will help shape a collective vision of our country’s future.
As we prepare for America’s 250th anniversary, we invite families, educators, and communities nationwide to encourage students to participate in this unique and inspiring contest. This is their chance to leave a lasting impact and celebrate what it means to be a part of America’s rich history and future.
For more information and to submit an entry by April 16th, visit America250.org/fieldtrip.
