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Partners in the Parks
Faculty, submit your Partners Trip proposal.
Programs
Partners in the Parks™

Partners in the Parks (PITP) was established through a Centennial Grant from the National Park Service to address waning national park attendance and connect university honors students with America's natural wonders. The program offers immersive, five-day academic adventures in national parks, combining education, stewardship, and recreation.

Since the first project at Bryce Canyon National Park in 2007, PITP has expanded to over 50 parks, including iconic locations like Acadia, Denali, and the Grand Canyon, as well as urban and lesser-known sites. Over 100 projects have engaged more than 1,000 students from nearly 90 campuses across the country.

These projects, led by university faculty and National Park Service personnel, provide students with hands-on experiences in outdoor skills, problem-solving, and environmental stewardship. The program helps participants develop critical thinking, teamwork, and resilience, while fostering a lasting appreciation for the parks.

Due to member support, NCHC offers scholarships for every PITP project sponsored by NCHC!


Ways to Get Involved
Learn How to Run a Project for Your Program

Each year, the Partners in the Parks (PITP) Committee hosts a Directors Retreat to help honors faculty, staff, and administrators learn the PITP pedagogy and programming, then set up a plan for their own PITP project. Learn More

How to Submit a Project Proposal

If you are passionate about history, service, the great outdoors, and teaching others, leading a Partners in the Park project is great opportunity for you to share your passion with the NCHC community. Learn More

Join the Committee

The Partners in the Parks Committee works to develop academic experiential programs in cooperation with the National Park Service and other sponsoring bodies. Learn More

Group of faculty and students helping clean a trail at a National Park.
Current Projects Submit a Project Proposal PITP Full Scholarship Application PITP Partial Scholarship Application

Thank You to Our Founding Supporter
National Park Service arrowhead logo

Supported by the Centennial Grant from the National Park Service.

National Collegiate Honors Council ®
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • 440 N. 17th Street | #250 Knoll
  • Lincoln, NE 68588-0627
  • Tel: 402-472-9150 | E-mail: hello@nchchonors.org
    • Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CDT

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