Business Wire·Jun 3, 2026, 7:00 AM ET

America250 Announces 2026 America's Field Trip Awardees: Celebrating 250 Students In The Nation's 250th Year

BNY

America250 announced 250 student awardees for the 2026 America's Field Trip contest, recognizing original reflections on "What America means to you" as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The contest, open to grades 3–12, has received over 20,000 entries since its 2024 pilot, with 10,000 submissions in 2026 alone, bringing the total recognized students to 550 across three years.
A panel of educators selected 250 winners from 46 states and U.S. territories, including 125 first-place awardees who will receive once-in-a-lifetime field trips to 16 iconic locations across 12 states and Washington, D.C.
First-place trips scheduled for July 10–August 16, 2026, include exclusive experiences such as a Smithsonian Sleepover at the American History Museum, visits to Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, the White House, the National Archives, Kennedy Space Center, the National Medal of Honor Museum, the 9/11 Memorial, HAMILTON performances in New York City, and tours of the Library of Congress.
The 125 second-place awardees will receive a $500 cash prize and America250 merchandise.
The 2025–2026 contest was sponsored by BNY, which supports the program's mission to connect young people with American history, landmarks, & values.
America250 reported significant nationwide momentum leading up to July 4, 2026, including 9 million service hours via America Gives, 73,000 flags distributed through America Waves, visits by the Our American Story mobile studio to 25 states, 30 finalists in America's Startup, & 418 members in the bipartisan Congressional America250 Caucus.
America250 is a congressionally-chartered, nonpartisan organization tasked with leading the Semiquincentennial celebration through values-based programming focused on service, storytelling, education, innovation, culture, & community engagement.