This is the year. America turns 250, and our partners at America250 are marking the milestone with the biggest America's Field Trip contest yet. Students in grades 3 through 12 have until March 30 to submit original writing or artwork answering one question: what does America mean to you?
The contest is free to enter and open to public, private, and homeschool students in all 50 states, DC, and US territories. Elementary schoolers in grades 3 through 5 can submit up to 100 words or a piece of artwork. Middle schoolers get 250 words, and high schoolers can write up to 500. Students who'd rather not write can submit visual art instead, whether that's a drawing, a painting, or something digital.
This year, 250 students will win. The 125 first-place winners each get a three-day, two-night trip (with a chaperone) to one of 15+ iconic American landmarks, airfare and lodging included. That means a behind-the-scenes White House tour and a trip inside the National Archives vault in DC, a private ranger-guided journey through Yellowstone, a VIP visit to the Coca-Cola headquarters and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta, exclusive access to the 9/11 Memorial plus a Hamilton performance in New York City, and more. The 125 second-place winners each receive a $500 cash award.
One important note: entries have to be entirely the student's own work. No AI tools, no group submissions.
A teacher or parent needs to upload the entry on a student's behalf. The deadline is March 30 at 5 p.m. PT. Head to america250.org/fieldtrip to learn more and submit.