Anoka County Commissioners Call on Middle School Students to Join 2026 National Civics Bee

Anoka County, Minn., December 17, 2025

The Anoka County Board of Commissioners is urging middle school students across the county and throughout Minnesota to take part in the 2026 National Civics Bee, a nonpartisan academic competition aimed at strengthening civic literacy, critical thinking, and community engagement among young Americans.

The initiative is a collaboration between the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Civic Trust. It comes at a nationally significant moment, as the 2026 competition cycle coincides with the lead up to the United States’ 250th anniversary and marks the program’s expansion to include partners in all 50 states.

The National Civics Bee is open to students in grades six through eight and is designed to encourage participants to apply civic knowledge to real world challenges within their communities. Students from public schools, private schools, and homeschool settings are all eligible to participate at no cost.

“We’re proud to support the opportunity the National Civics Bee gives our young people to engage with the principles that shape our democracy,” said Anoka County Commissioner Mandy Meisner in a statement. “This competition not only encourages students to think critically about their communities, but also empowers them to become active, informed citizens. It’s inspiring to see the next generation stepping up to lead.”

A Multi Phase Competition

The 2026 National Civics Bee will unfold over four distinct phases, beginning with a written essay submission.

In Phase One, students must submit a 500 to 750 word essay by Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Essays must identify a local community issue and propose a solution grounded in America’s founding principles and civic virtues.

Phase Two moves the competition into live events. The top 20 essayists from each region advance to a quiz style regional bee. For students in the Anoka County area, the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce will host the regional competition on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Anoka Technical College.

Phase Three consists of the Minnesota State Finals, scheduled for early summer 2026. The top three finishers from each regional bee will advance to the state level.

In Phase Four, one finalist from each state will earn an all expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the National Civics Bee Championship in fall 2026.

Prizes and Recognition

The competition offers significant incentives designed to encourage participation and reward excellence.

At the regional level, prizes typically range from $125 to $500 for the top three finishers. At the state level, the first place winner receives $1,000 and may qualify for a $5,000 donation to their school.

At the national level, the stakes are considerably higher. The national champion will receive a $100,000 contribution to a 529 education savings plan. Second and third place finishers will receive $25,000 and $15,000 contributions, respectively.

County leaders say the program is about more than prizes.

The commissioners view the National Civics Bee as a tool for building civic pride, strengthening democratic participation, and preparing a future workforce that is informed, engaged, and committed to community problem solving.

How to Apply

Eligible students must be Minnesota residents enrolled in grades six through eight. Applications are free and open to students in public, private, and homeschool settings.

The application deadline is Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Complete contest rules, resources, and application materials are available at www.nationalcivicsbee.org. Students may apply directly through the National Civics Bee Reviewr portal.

Questions regarding the program may be directed to Erik Thorson, Anoka County Chief Communications Officer, at 763 324 4612.

MinneapoliMedia