What is the name of America250’s student contest asking, “What does America mean to you?”

America250’s student contest asking “What does America mean to you?” is called America’s Field Trip.

The multi-year education program invites students in grades 3–12 to respond through original writing or artwork. It is designed to give young people a direct role in describing the nation’s identity, history, communities, and hopes for the future as America approaches its 250th anniversary.

The contest’s rewards are connected to the program’s name: selected students can receive educational experiences and field trips to notable American historical, cultural, or natural sites. However, it is not simply a general school excursion; students must submit work responding to the contest prompt.

America’s Field Trip is easy to confuse with America Gives, which is America250’s service initiative. It is also separate from America Waves, the program distributing commemorative flags, and Our American Story, which collects personal stories connected to the national commemoration. In 2026, 250 students were selected, including 125 first-place and 125 second-place awardees.