# Youth Leadership Team

Year-long national council of 10-14 teens aged 15-18 who serve as the youth voice of the American Battlefield Trust, lead a local preservation project with a $500 stipend, and lobby in Washington, DC with travel fully covered.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | American Battlefield Trust |
| Category | leadership |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 10–12 |
| Format | Hybrid (in person + online) |
| Location | Multiple, Multiple States |
| Time commitment | ~2 hours/week |
| Apply | https://www.battlefields.org/youth-leadership-team |

## About this program

# Youth Leadership Team

The American Battlefield Trust's Youth Leadership Team (YLT) is a rotating group of 10 to 14 young people who serve as the youth face and voice of the nation's largest battlefield preservation organization. Members serve a one-year term running from August through the following April, combining an online community with two multi-day in-person meetings in Washington, DC. The Trust covers the cost of attending both in-person meetings in full and gives each member a $500 project stipend.

## What You'll Do

- Become expert on the Trust's mission, the history it preserves, and its media talking points
- Design and run your own preservation, education, or visitation project in your local community - past capstones include a new historic marker at a Civil War battlefield, a state history youth council, and a digital exhibition on women in the Revolutionary War
- Attend a youth Lobby Day and advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC
- Write articles and produce social media content representing young preservationists
- Take part in weekly discussion in the members' online community

## Who Should Apply

"All applicants between the ages of 15 and 18, currently enrolled in high school, are eligible" and "All applicants must live within the United States." Members must be able to travel independently to meetings. Expect roughly two hours a week online plus 40-60 hours total on the individual project.

## Outcomes

YLT alumni finish with a completed public-history project, federal advocacy experience, published writing, and a national credential from a major preservation nonprofit - at no cost to the participant.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does Youth Leadership Team cost?

Youth Leadership Team is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### Who is eligible for Youth Leadership Team?

Youth Leadership Team is open to high school students in grades 10–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Youth Leadership Team online or in person?

Youth Leadership Team is a hybrid program with both online and in-person components (in-person portions in Multiple, Multiple States). Expect a time commitment of roughly 2 hours per week.

### How do I apply to Youth Leadership Team?

Apply directly through American Battlefield Trust's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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