Commemorate 250 Years of America with 250 Hours of Service

The National Park Service will join the nation in commemorating and celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. National Park Service volunteers and staff proudly serve the American people by embracing our mission to provide opportunities for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. 

The United States has a rich history of service, from Benjamin Franklin’s first volunteer fire brigade in the 1700s and the founding of organizations like the American Red Cross in 1881 to the creation of the National Park Service Volunteers-In-Parks program in 1970.

America Gives

National Park Service and America250 invite you to take part in America Gives through giving back—this includes charitable giving, volunteerism, or public service. The goal of America Gives is to achieve the largest year of service ever recorded by any country in 2026 in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Our hope is that through this effort, we will create a legacy of service for generations to come.

To participate in America Gives as a National Park Service volunteer, individuals are encouraged to give 250 hours of volunteer service with participating federal agencies and receive a free Volunteer Pass to national parks and federal recreations lands in return.

Learn more about the National Park Service Volunteers-In-Parks program at nps.gov/volunteer or America Gives at america250.org/america-gives.

How it Works

• A free Volunteer Pass may be earned by anyone who volunteers for a total of 250 hours with one or more of the six participating agencies: National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and Army Corps of Engineers.

• There is no specific timeframe in which volunteer hours must be accrued. Hours can be accrued over one, or several calendar years.

• Track your volunteer hours and keep copies for your records. You can use Volunteer.gov to track your volunteer hours across agencies and activities. Volunteer.gov will automatically send you an email when you’ve reached 250 hours.

• Share your hours records with your current volunteer coordinator who will authorize that you have accrued 250 hours and request your Volunteer Pass.

• Once a Volunteer Pass is issued, the volunteer's "pass hours" are reset to zero and the count begins again.

Ideas to Reach 250 Hours

To find volunteer opportunities near you, visit Volunteer.gov.

• Volunteer remotely from wherever you are by selecting a virtual volunteer opportunity.

• Only have one day? Look for event volunteer opportunities at a park near you.

• Earn volunteer hours as you exercise! Many parks are looking for volunteers to rove trails, pick up trash, or assist with invasive species removal—all of which will get you needed exercise while earning you volunteer hours.

• Don’t have plans for your next vacation? Some volunteer opportunities provide housing while you serve.