Wanted: History-Loving Teens to Join the American Battlefield Trust's 2021-2022 Youth Leadership Team
(Washington, D.C.) — Ambitious young history lovers are invited to apply for membership in the American Battlefield Trust’s Youth Leadership Team. This competitively selected, rotating group of high-schoolers serves as the youth face and voice of the nation’s premier battlefield land preservation organization, gaining leadership experience and advocating for history education, preservation and visitation in their own communities. Applications for the 2021-2022 cohort are due April 30, 2021.
“Our nation’s youth cannot be discounted, as the fate of preservation, education, and visitation is on their shoulders,” said Trust President David Duncan. “To see the energy that these students exert, along with their boundless ideas, gives me great faith that our mission will live on through the work of these emerging historians and community leaders.”
The academic-year-long program will position members to seek out adventure, creativity, an expanded network and a greater understanding of both the American past and the present-day efforts to preserve it. Benefits include all-expenses paid travel (with relevant guidelines respected) to Washington, D.C., for a training session and Youth Lobby Day, as well as an off-site trip to the Trust’s Annual Conference — the perfect opportunity to network with our nation’s leaders in historic preservation. All members will complete capstone preservation, education or visitation projects in their communities, and develop content for the Trust’s website and social media channels. Throughout their time in the program, members will receive training in leadership, program management, lobbying, media relations, and fundraising.
Current members across the nation are busy exploring an impressive range of topics. Francesca is creating a video documentary, Alex is crafting an audio drama bringing the voices of the War of 1812 to life, Ashlyn is developing an interactive scavenger hunt at Gettysburg, and Tiffany is writing and illustrating a preservation-themed children’s book.
By supporting this group of motivated young leaders, the Trust hopes to create a ripple effect, fostering the next generation of preservation advocates that will tend to the places that make up our American story. If you know a student interested in participating, please encourage them to apply. For more information, please visit www.battlefields.org/youth-leadership-team-2021-2022-application.
The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 53,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.
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