Middle school students across the Fredericksburg area will soon have a new way to explore civic engagement through the launch of the Fredericksburg Regional Civics Bee.
Hosted by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce in partnership with WorkForce NOW and the Oberle Academy, the event brings the national U.S. Chamber of Commerce competition to Planning District 16 — including Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.
Open to 6th through 8th graders, the Civics Bee invites students to submit essays on civic issues they care about by February 3, 2026. A panel of judges will evaluate the submissions, and top writers will move on to a live, quiz-style regional competition on April 15, 2026.
Cash prizes of $500, $250, and $125 will be awarded to the top three winners at the regional level. Those students will also advance to the Virginia State Finals in Williamsburg, with a chance to compete in the National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C.
Educators can access classroom tools like an Educator Toolkit, student flyers, and an application guide to help integrate the program into lessons. The Chamber is also seeking local sponsors to expand the program’s reach and enhance prize opportunities.
The Civics Bee is a nonpartisan effort aimed at inspiring students to understand and participate in democracy. For more information, visit the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce website
