About the Bee
The YMCA is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host a nonpartisan civics competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Participating 6th, 7th and 8th graders will flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes. Finalists will be invited to Washington, DC to compete in the National Civics Bee National Championship in Fall 2026.
Why Civics?
The Y is participating in the National Civics Bee because we believe that informed and active citizens make for a strong country, a strong economy, and a strong workforce, and that our continued prosperity depends on the strength of all three. Through the Bee, we are promoting greater civic knowledge in [INSERT STATE NAME] and celebrating our civic pride.
How to Enter
Essay submissions are now closed for the event. If you submitted an essay you will be contacted by event judges about your status and next steps
Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in the Regional Competition, a participant must be a resident of North Carolina and have been selected as one of the Regional Finalists qualified to advance from the Essay Round. All Regional Competition participants must be Regional Finalists residing within the geographic area served by the Regional Host.
Prizes
1st Place - $400
2nd Place - $275
3rd Place - $200
Contact
If you have questions or need more information, contact Brandi Simmons.
Contest Rules
Regional Finalists must appear in person and arrive on time (i.e., prior to the start of the first scheduled event) for the Regional Competition, which will be held on Saturday, April 11th, 2026. The Regional Finalists will compete in the live Regional Competition, which will determine the first, second, and third-place winners. The Regional Competition will be made up of three rounds, including two rounds of civics-based quiz questions. Each correct answer will receive one point, and each incorrect answer or unanswered question will receive zero points. The five highest-scoring Regional Finalists from the first two rounds will participate in a third round of the Regional Competition which will include questions from a panel of judges regarding the Regional Finalists’ essay submissions. For states with only one Regional Competition, the ten (10) highest-scoring Regional Finalists from the first two rounds will participate in the third round. The Regional Finalist with the highest cumulative score at the end of the third round will be determined as the First-Place Winner of the Regional Competition. Second-Place Winners and Third-Place Winners will also be announced based on the highest cumulative scores from all three rounds. If two or more Participants are tied at a score affecting advancement to the next round of Competition, the Regional Host shall determine the method of resolution in its discretion