Youth Ambassador Program
Youth Ambassador Program
Through the Trust for the National Mall’s Youth Ambassador Program, local high school students work alongside the National Park Service and Trust for the National Mall staff and our expert volunteer docents to get hands on experience caring for and sharing our public land. Selected students undergo training on the history of the National Mall and its legacies and practice sharing those stories with visitors on tthe Mall. With opportunities to shadow rangers, partners, and experienced volunteers, Youth Ambassadors gain a broad understanding of the complexities of managing an urban park, while learning job skills from team members with diverse professions and professional backgrounds. Students gain real-world experience in hospitality, public speaking, interpretation, teamwork, and parks and recreation. The Youth Ambassador Program is an engaging and fun way for highschoolers to fulfill their school’s internship or service requirements on the National Mall.
Special thanks to the Merrill Family Foundation and Congressional Sports for Charity for their support in helping the Trust expand its Youth Ambassador Program.
Past Youth Ambassador Projects on the National Mall
Providing visitor services at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, Washington Monument, and Lockkeeper’s House
Supporting annual traditions on the National Mall such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Veterans Day, and special events, such as Eisenhower Astronomy Night and Eisenhower Commemorative Birthday Concert
Developing and refining volunteer training materials
Creating program communications, including social media posts and newsletter content
Inventorying and reporting needs across the park
Youth Ambassador Expectations
Interest in pursuing a career in natural or cultural resources, parks administration, history, museum studies, or a related field
Friendly, welcoming, and excited to interact with visitors from around the world
Serve at least 60 hours over 12 weeks at a consistent, predetermined schedule
Current high school junior or senior
Ability to travel to the National Mall on at least a weekly basis
Consistent communication with supervisors
Apply to be a Youth Ambassador on the National Mall
To apply for the Youth Ambassador Program, please express interest via email to volunteer@nationalmall.org.
Thank you!
Meet our Past Youth Ambassadors
BLAKE
Blake spent his Fall semester of his junior year at School Without Walls as a Youth Ambassador on the National Mall. Blake has a strong interest in community service and preserving our natural resources; he is a founding member of “Scrap Scouts,” a club at his school that cleans up urban parks, and was exited to continue this work on the National Mall. Blake has spent his term on the National Mall at the Korean War Veterans Memorial and Lockkeeper’s House, while also assisting with several group volunteer projects, including washing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, caring for the cherry trees through wood chipping, and supporting general park clean up. Blake has also helped plan for the program’s annual recognition event. Blake says, “I want people to witness the effort and work we put into making this place something to enjoy, something to share, and something to treasure.”
ALEX
Alex served as a Youth Ambassador while a senior at Yorktown Highschool. After spending nearly a year as a volunteer at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, Alex chose the National Mall Volunteer Program for his 3-week "Senior Experience" internship program. Alex helped with creating material lists for needed updates to volunteer spaces, captioning volunteer training videos, and researching reference sheets for volunteer sites around the National Mall. Alex also helped with providing visitor services at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, Lockkeeper's House, and Washington Monument, and he “appreciate(s) how the national monuments and historical sites expand the public's knowledge of historical figures and events.” After his term, Alex started college at Virginia Tech and is interested in exploring a career related to history and interpretation.
Cade
Cade served as a youth ambassador while a senior at Jackson-Reed High School, and he had hopes of one day becoming a National Park Service Interpretive Ranger. Through his term, Cade supported volunteers at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial and Lockkeeper's House, where he also provided visitor services and helped staff events. Cade had the opportunity to help lead group volunteer projects on the National Mall, such as the Wall Washings at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. He was even able to join a full-day training event for new National Mall Park Rangers. After his term, Cade transitioned to a seasonal ranger position at President’s Park, before heading to the College of the Atlantic to pursue a degree in Human Ecology.
JULIAN
Julian, a big fan of the National Park Service, did his Youth Ambassador term while a junior at School Without Walls. He enjoys spending time outdoors, particularly on the National Mall. Julian says, "Throughout all my life the National Mall has been a great place, to have fun, learn about this country’s history, and grow as a person." Julian spent his semester helping inventory needed sign repairs around the National Mall, creating volunteer program communications, developing training materials for volunteers during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and researching the Lincoln Memorial during its Centennial Celebration.
KENJI
Kenji served as the first Youth Ambassador with the National Mall during the fall semester of his senior year at School Without Walls. Kenji says, “I was born and raised in downtown Washington DC, but the Great Outdoors is my second home. Throughout my life, the US’s parks, and especially the National Mall, have served as a sanctuary away from the commotion of the city, so I am so excited to finally work with the National Park Service.” Throughout his time in the park, Kenji played a significant role in creating a new inventory and organization system for volunteer program materials. He also assisted in preparation and execution of group volunteer projects, and he assisted park staff in a full assessment of signage throughout the park. Kenji hopes to pursue his passion for historic preservation through a career as a park ranger after college.