Just over two years from now, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and one group is already preparing for it.

America250 is launching “America’s Field Trip,” a nationwide scholastic contest for elementary, middle, and high school students to submit artwork, videos, and essays reflecting on “What America means to them.” The contest requires individual submissions and parental permission, and is open until May 17, 2024. Funding is provided by The Bank of New York Mellon Foundation.

“BNY Mellon was founded by Alexander Hamilton just a few years after the birth of America, and we are proud of our firm’s heritage of advancing America’s industries and communities over the century,” said Jayee Koffey, Global Head of Enterprise Execution and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for BNY Mellon. “It’s fitting that we participate in telling the country’s story of growth and resilience through America’s Field Trip and inspiring the next generation to continue the nation’s long history of innovation.”

Seventy-five first-place winners will receive free travel, lodging, and field trip experiences to one location of their choice. Second-place winners will receive $500 cash awards. The initial field trip experiences and partners include a costumed revolutionary era roleplaying experience at American Village. The village, located on 188 acres in Montevallo, is an educational institution that seeks to strengthen American liberty and constitutional self-government, with a special emphasis on youth programs, according to its website. It is a living museum with classrooms, a stage and theater.

Other trips will include:

• Tour of the Statue of Liberty in New York
• Tour and hike at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Montana
• Weekend at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado
• Unique tours at the National Archives and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
• Special tours at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, or the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
• Explore America’s iconic financial capital, New York City, with private tours of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Museum and Learning Center and The Bank of New York Mellon, the country’s oldest bank.
• Tour of the USS Constitution Museum in Boston
• Candlelight tour at Fort Point at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge

The contest is open to students in grades 3-12 in the United States, has no entry fee, and must be submitted by a parent or teacher. The first prize winner must travel with their parents.

America250 is led by the United States Semiquincentennial Commission, which aims to be the largest and most inclusive commemoration in American history. Alabama’s own Robert Aderholt, a US Representative, is on the leadership team for America250. Also on the team is Mobile native and current Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

“America’s Field Trip is one of the most ambitious education engagement campaigns ever attempted because it’s more than a contest it’s an extraordinary opportunity to bring students across the country together in celebrating and commemorating our nation’s 250th anniversary by exploring our past and allowing them to express their dreams for the future,” said America250 Chair, Rosie Rios. “We’re proud to launch this nationwide effort alongside BNY Mellon, whose support will make it possible to send students on experiences of a lifetime. As we forge ahead toward our nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026, this historic milestone is just as much about the future as it is our past and America’s Field Trip will help empower young people to stand at the heart of this endeavor.”

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