Flat Hat Award

The Flat Hat Award recognizes a National Park Service employee or volunteer who made a member’s visit to a unit memorable. It is open to all NPS employees, full time or seasonal, and to NPS volunteers; several people can share a group award.

Nomination form (PDF) awards@parkstamps.org Past recipients

What the committee looks for

What did the ranger or volunteer do that made your visit remarkable? Rangers’ work varies widely from unit to unit (interpretation, maintenance, law enforcement, volunteering), so be as specific as you can; a general description can be enough.

  • Did they make a special effort to make an exhibit or resource accessible to you or another visitor?
  • Did they do something for you or another visitor beyond what is normally expected of an NPS employee?
  • Did they go out of their way, at real inconvenience or extra time, to make something happen for someone?
  • Did they give a truly outstanding presentation, trail hike or campfire talk?

Submitting a nomination

  1. You must be a current NPTC member both when you submit the nomination and when the award is presented.
  2. You may nominate people from several NPS units, but each nomination needs its own form. Include the name of the unit.
  3. Include background and stories of what your nominee did to deserve the award.
  4. Send your nomination to awards@parkstamps.org or to the mailing address on the nomination form.
  5. Nominations must reach the Awards Committee by June 1 each year.

How the recipient is chosen

  1. The Awards Committee reviews every nomination received for the year and selects the recipient(s) based on the intent of the award.
  2. The committee verifies the nominator’s membership with the Membership Director or their representative.
  3. The Executive Board is told of the selection and informs the recipient(s).
  4. The recipient is announced at that year’s annual convention. If they can’t attend, the award is mailed after the convention.
  5. If no nominations are received, or none meet the criteria, the award is not given that year.

For more information, see the NPTC Executive Board Policies.