2025 National Civics Bee®
The National Civics Bee® is an annual competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Participating middle school students will flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes. The National Civics Bee takes place in Arvada in April 2025, in partnership with local and state chambers of commerce across the United States, including the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.
In the first round of the contest, local 6th, 7th and 8th grade students will participate in an essay competition. Judges will then select 20 finalists to participate in the local competition: a live quiz event testing civics knowledge. Then, the top 3 students from each local competition will advance to the state competition.
“The Arvada Chamber is deeply invested in facilitating engagement with local policy and elected officials for our businesses and community,” said Arvada Chamber of Commerce President, Kami Welch. “The National Civics Bee is a unique opportunity for us to develop an active pipeline of civic engagement in Arvada and strengthen the way we all live, work, and learn together in the future.”
National Civics Bee
April 24, 2025
Revive Church at The Bridge
8270 W 80th Ave
Arvada, CO
We are currently looking for partners and sponsors for the live event to be held in early April that will bring together the top 20 essay winners, local families, and community members to celebrate these students’ commitment to their community and education. If you are interested in becoming a partner please contact ali@arvadachamber.org to solidify the details.
Eligibility for Entry:
To be eligible to participate in the National Civics Bee, an applicant (“Entrant”) must:
- Be a student in grades six through eight at the time of entry;
- Enter only one local chamber competition, which must be in their state of residence;
- Be the sole author of their entry – no group entries or entries written by parents will be accepted;
- Submit their entry in the English language;
- Submit a new, unique entry, if they’ve participated in any past Civics Bees;
- Agree to all Civics Bee Rules, including potentially attending the local, state, and national competitions.
Local Prizes
- First Place: $500 cash prize
- Second Place: $250 cash prize
- Third Place: $125 cash prize
State Prizes
- First Place: $1,000 cash prize
- Second Place: $500 cash prize
- Third Place: $250 cash prize
Each finalist receives a certificate.
Identify a problem facing your community. How might a citizen solve the problem? Write a 500-word essay that includes the following:
- What is the problem, and how do different members in your community or neighborhood view it?
- What civic principles or systems could help to address the problem?
- What is your idea or recommendation for solving the problem?
- What primary sources, such as the Declaration of Independence or the United States Constitution, provide supporting evidence or examples for your idea or recommendation?
- How might members of your community or neighborhood bring your idea or recommendation to life?
Your essay will be evaluated based on how well you:
• Demonstrate an understanding of civics.
• Acknowledge and address opposing points of view.
• Acknowledge and address at least one Founding Principle and one Civic Virtue.
• Use primary sources, like newspapers, data, historical documents, images, or other documents that relate to your idea.
• Clearly describe an idea innovative or new to you.
Stay Tuned for Entry Information
Read Privacy Policy here. Please contact us with any questions at ali@arvadachamber.org.
Civics Bee News
Arvada-area Middle School Students Compete in 2024 National Civics Bee
April 17, 2024, ARVADA, Colorado – Middle school students from Arvada-area schools competed in the 2024 National Civics Bee regional competition on April 11 at Revive Church. The event was hosted by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Colorado...
Arvada-area Middle School Students Compete in Civics Bee Competition
April 19, 2023 | Contact: kami@arvadachamber.org ARVADA, Colorado – Middle school students from Arvada-area schools competed in the 2023 National Civics Bee regional competition last evening at Revive Church. The event was hosted by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce in...