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Partners in the Parks - Current Projects
Faculty, submit your Partners Trip proposal.
 
2026 Partners in the Parks® Projects

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.

Capitol Reef National Park scenery
Capitol Reef National Park
May 19-22, 2026 | Program Size: 8-10 Students | NCHC Member Price: $930 (does not include airfare) | Registration Deadline: April 17, 2026

Join Utah Valley University Associate Professor, Dr. Ashley N. Egan, along with special guests, for a unique, place-based educational experience nestled in the heart of Utah's red rock country. Explore concepts of preservation, conservation, and wilderness through the lens of those who have left their mark on Capitol Reef National Park.

Registration Opening Soon
Appalachian Trail group working on trail
Appalachian Trail & Shenandoah National Park
May 29 - June 5, 2026 | Program Size: 8-10 Students | NCHC Member Price: $850 (does not include airfare) | Registration Deadline: April 24, 2026

Join this 8-day immersive program along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, where you'll engage with the Appalachian Trail community through service, learning, and adventure. Partnering with the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club, participants will help maintain the trail and interact with thru-hikers on their journeys from Georgia to Maine. The program includes discussions on inclusivity in outdoor spaces, camping at the historic Lewis Mountain Campground (featured in The Green Book), and insights from groups like Outdoor Afro and Latino Outdoors. Open to all experience levels, this program combines meaningful service, outdoor exploration, and the chance to uncover new perspectives and potential capstone ideas.

Registration Opening Soon
Glacier National Park sign with 2025 project group
Glacier National Park
August 3-8 | Program Size: 8-9 Students | NCHC Member Price: $1050 (does not include airfare) | Registration Deadline: June 29, 2026

Explore the stunning landscapes of Glacier National Park through this immersive program, combining hands-on ecological service with backcountry adventure. Participants will engage in impactful projects like huckleberry research, wildlife surveys, and invasive species management while hiking rugged trails and camping under the stars. With breathtaking views of glacier-carved peaks and alpine meadows, this physically challenging experience is capped by refreshing swims in glacier-fed lakes. Limited to 9 students due to wilderness regulations, this program offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and contribute to preserving this iconic national park. Participants will arrive and depart via Glacier International Airport in Kalispell, Montana.

Registration Opening Soon
Acadia National Park scenery
Acadia National Park
Dates TBA | Program Size: 6-8 Participants | NCHC Member Price: $950 (does not include airfare)

Explore the stunning landscapes of Acadia National Park through this immersive program, combining hands-on ecological service with backcountry adventure. Participants will engage in impactful projects while hiking rugged trails and camping under the stars. With breathtaking views of the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast, this physically challenging experience is paired with the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats and rich cultural heritage. Limited space available due to wilderness regulations. This program offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and contribute to preserving this iconic national park.

Registration Opening Soon
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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