THE BOISE METRO CHAMBER IS A LOCAL PARTNER WITH THE NATIONAL CIVICS BEE!
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HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL CIVICS BEE?
ROUND 1: ESSAY CONTEST (DEADLINE 2-4-2025)
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.
ESSAY TOPIC
Identify a problem facing your community. How might a citizen solve the problem? Write a 500-word essay that includes the following:
ROUND 1: ESSAY CONTEST (DEADLINE 2-4-2025)
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.
ESSAY TOPIC
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?
NATIONAL CIVICS BEE FAQ'S
WHAT ARE THE CONTEST RULES?
Official Rules of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation 2025 National Civics Bee® Contest – Essay Round ("Essay Round Rules")
SPONSOR
The sponsor of the contest is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 1615 H Street NW, Washington D.C., 20062 (“Sponsor”).
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to participate in the National Civics Bee® Essay Round (the “Essay Round”), an applicant (“Entrant”) must:
TERM
The Essay Round will begin on October 15, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time and end on February 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. All entries must be submitted by February 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The finalists will be announced on February 14, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. By submitting an Entry, each Entrant agrees to the Essay Round Rules and warrants that his or her Entry complies with all requirements set out in the Essay Round Rules. This is a skills-based contest and chance plays no part in the determination of winners.
ENTRY PROCEDURE
The National Civics Bee® is made up of several rounds, each of which is governed by its own set of rules. Any provisions set out in these Essay Round Rules regarding other rounds are for informational purposes only and do not constitute rules with respect to any other round.
To enter the National Civics Bee® Essay Round, Entrants must submit an essay (600-750 words) in response to the three questions listed in the essay prompt accessible in the Application Portal and Essay Guide (“Entry”). Entries may be submitted online through the application portal at this link: Application Portal Link before February 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time or by mailing a hard copy submission, post-marked by February 4, 2025, to U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, ATTN: National Civics Bee, 1615 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20062. Mail-in submissions must be received by February 12, 2025, and include a completed Cover Letter available for download at this link: Cover Letter Link.
The information included in the Cover Letter will mirror what is required to be submitted online.
After submitting an Entry, each Entrant will be assigned to a local organization that is hosting a Local or Statewide Competition (the “Local Host”) based on their location as provided by the Entrant. The Local Host is responsible for selecting the highest scoring Entrants as local finalists based on the essay judging criteria (listed below) and as provided in the Local and Statewide Competition rules.
NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL REGULATIONS APPLY.
CONTEST PRIZES
A certificate (which does not have monetary/retail value) shall be provided to the highest scoring Essay Round Entrants selected as local finalists for each Local or Statewide Competition in accordance with applicable rules. Local, State, and Statewide Competitions are subject to separate rules, terms, and conditions, and prizes may be won in the Local, State, and Statewide Competitions.
ODDS OF WINNING
Odds of being named among the highest scoring Essay Round Entrants depend on the number of Entries received and the quality of the Entries.
JUDGING CRITERIA AND PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
Each Entry will be evaluated by Judges selected by the Sponsor and Local Hosts. Each Judge will use the 100-point judging rubric provided on the online submission page and in the Essay Guide (linked) to evaluate each Entry. The judging rubric made part of these rules sets forth the points and percentage weight attributed to each of the criteria. Criteria covered in the rubric include: “Clearly identifies and articulates a specific community problem, challenge, or opportunity with depth and insight” (20 points); “Proposes a highly innovative and original solution that is clearly detailed” (25 points); “Clearly identifies relevant individuals or organizations with a detailed and feasible plan for collaboration” (15 points); “Uses at least one Founding Principle and one Civic Virtue in a meaningful way that clearly improves how the challenge or solution is explained” (30 points); “Uses well researched information and references effectively to support the essay” (10 points).
Each Entry will be assigned to a Local Host organization that is responsible for hosting either a Local or Statewide Competition. The highest scoring Entries assigned to each Local Host will be selected as the local finalists, and notified via email and/or phone, to participate in their respective National Civics Bee® Local Competition or National Civics Bee® Statewide Competition if no Local Competition exists. All Local, State, and Statewide Competitions are subject to separate rules, terms, and conditions.
PUBLICITY RELEASE
You, as parent or legal guardian, hereby grant the Sponsor, any Local, State, or Statewide Hosts, and any corporate or individual benefactors of Local, State, Statewide, and National Competitions, a nonexclusive, perpetual, worldwide, transferable license to edit, telecast, exhibit, rerun, reproduce, use, syndicate, license, print, distribute, and otherwise exploit any items (including any photos, videos, audio, or written material) submitted as part of the applicable minor’s contest Entry, or any portion thereof, in any manner, and in any and all formats and media now known or hereafter devised, without payment to you or any third party. You represent and warrant that you are the parent or legal guardian of the minor and provide your express consent for your child and information about your child to appear in any materials submitted in the Contest or related event or ceremony, and you have the full legal right, power, and authority to grant to the Sponsor this license. Information about your child may include his/her name, address (city and state), likeness, photograph, voice, biographical information, and/or any statements made by him/her regarding the Contest, the Sponsor, or any other person or entity related to the National Civics Bee®.
GENERAL RULES
No Entry can be withdrawn after the applicable deadline for Entry described in the section above entitled “Entry Procedure.” None of the Sponsor, the Entrant’s parents, or affiliated entities or agents of the Sponsor, are responsible for any illegible, lost, stolen, late, damaged, incomplete, mutilated or misdirected applications or other documents. Entrants are responsible for ensuring proper contact information has been submitted and is maintained throughout the National Civics Bee® to allow communications about the National Civics Bee®.
Erroneous or false information provided in the Entry will result in immediate disqualification of the Entrant. Sponsor and the Judges otherwise retain the right to disqualify any Entrant in their sole discretion.
If, for any reason, the National Civics Bee® is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor reserves the right in Sponsor’s sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the National Civics Bee® at any time. Sponsor reserves the right to amend the rules of the contest at any time.
By creating an Entry, or by being an Entrant, you understand that there is no joint venture, partnership, employment, or agency relation between you and the Sponsor arising from any Entry.
The decisions of the Judges are final, and Entrants specifically agree that the decision of the Judges and any decisions of Sponsor are not subject to review or appeal in any forum whatsoever, including courts of law.
Any information provided as part of the Essay Round is provided according to the Privacy Policy available at this link: Privacy Policy Link, as such policy may be amended from time to time, and as otherwise provided for in these Rules. Entrants agree that personal data, in particular name and address, may be processed, shared, and otherwise used for the purposes and within the context of the Contest and any other purposes outlined in these Essay Round Rules and according to the website’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The data may also be used by the Sponsor in order to verify the Entrant’s First Name, Last Name, School Name, ZIP Code, Parent/Guardian’s Phone Number/Email, or to otherwise verify the Entrant’s eligibility to participate in the Contest. Participants have the right to access, review, rectify, or cancel any personal data held by the Sponsor by writing to U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, ATTN: National Civics Bee, 1615 H Street NW, Washington D.C. 20062, [email protected].
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
By entering the Contest, Entrant agrees that (1) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the Contest, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually without resort to any form of class action; (2) any claims, judgment, and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Contest, but in no event attorney’s fees; and (3) under no circumstances, will any Entrant be permitted to obtain any award for, and Entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than damages for actual out-of-pocket expenses. In no event shall the liability of the Sponsor exceed $100.
WINNERS LIST
To request a list of the names of the three finalists of the National Civics Bee® National Championship send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, ATTN: National Civics Bee, 1615 H Street NW, Washington D.C. 20062.
SPONSOR
The sponsor of the contest is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 1615 H Street NW, Washington D.C., 20062 (“Sponsor”).
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to participate in the National Civics Bee® Essay Round (the “Essay Round”), an applicant (“Entrant”) must:
- Be a student in grades six through eight at the time of Entry (defined below in the section entitled “Entry Procedure”);
- 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 National Civics Bee® contests held in 2024 or before;
- Agree to all National Civics Bee® Rules;
- Have not previously won first place at the National Civics Bee® National Championship;
- Not be an immediate family member (parents, spouses, children, siblings) or residing in the household of a judge participating in any round of the 2025 National Civics Bee® competition (a “Judge”).
TERM
The Essay Round will begin on October 15, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time and end on February 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. All entries must be submitted by February 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The finalists will be announced on February 14, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. By submitting an Entry, each Entrant agrees to the Essay Round Rules and warrants that his or her Entry complies with all requirements set out in the Essay Round Rules. This is a skills-based contest and chance plays no part in the determination of winners.
ENTRY PROCEDURE
The National Civics Bee® is made up of several rounds, each of which is governed by its own set of rules. Any provisions set out in these Essay Round Rules regarding other rounds are for informational purposes only and do not constitute rules with respect to any other round.
To enter the National Civics Bee® Essay Round, Entrants must submit an essay (600-750 words) in response to the three questions listed in the essay prompt accessible in the Application Portal and Essay Guide (“Entry”). Entries may be submitted online through the application portal at this link: Application Portal Link before February 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time or by mailing a hard copy submission, post-marked by February 4, 2025, to U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, ATTN: National Civics Bee, 1615 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20062. Mail-in submissions must be received by February 12, 2025, and include a completed Cover Letter available for download at this link: Cover Letter Link.
The information included in the Cover Letter will mirror what is required to be submitted online.
After submitting an Entry, each Entrant will be assigned to a local organization that is hosting a Local or Statewide Competition (the “Local Host”) based on their location as provided by the Entrant. The Local Host is responsible for selecting the highest scoring Entrants as local finalists based on the essay judging criteria (listed below) and as provided in the Local and Statewide Competition rules.
NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL REGULATIONS APPLY.
CONTEST PRIZES
A certificate (which does not have monetary/retail value) shall be provided to the highest scoring Essay Round Entrants selected as local finalists for each Local or Statewide Competition in accordance with applicable rules. Local, State, and Statewide Competitions are subject to separate rules, terms, and conditions, and prizes may be won in the Local, State, and Statewide Competitions.
ODDS OF WINNING
Odds of being named among the highest scoring Essay Round Entrants depend on the number of Entries received and the quality of the Entries.
JUDGING CRITERIA AND PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
Each Entry will be evaluated by Judges selected by the Sponsor and Local Hosts. Each Judge will use the 100-point judging rubric provided on the online submission page and in the Essay Guide (linked) to evaluate each Entry. The judging rubric made part of these rules sets forth the points and percentage weight attributed to each of the criteria. Criteria covered in the rubric include: “Clearly identifies and articulates a specific community problem, challenge, or opportunity with depth and insight” (20 points); “Proposes a highly innovative and original solution that is clearly detailed” (25 points); “Clearly identifies relevant individuals or organizations with a detailed and feasible plan for collaboration” (15 points); “Uses at least one Founding Principle and one Civic Virtue in a meaningful way that clearly improves how the challenge or solution is explained” (30 points); “Uses well researched information and references effectively to support the essay” (10 points).
Each Entry will be assigned to a Local Host organization that is responsible for hosting either a Local or Statewide Competition. The highest scoring Entries assigned to each Local Host will be selected as the local finalists, and notified via email and/or phone, to participate in their respective National Civics Bee® Local Competition or National Civics Bee® Statewide Competition if no Local Competition exists. All Local, State, and Statewide Competitions are subject to separate rules, terms, and conditions.
PUBLICITY RELEASE
You, as parent or legal guardian, hereby grant the Sponsor, any Local, State, or Statewide Hosts, and any corporate or individual benefactors of Local, State, Statewide, and National Competitions, a nonexclusive, perpetual, worldwide, transferable license to edit, telecast, exhibit, rerun, reproduce, use, syndicate, license, print, distribute, and otherwise exploit any items (including any photos, videos, audio, or written material) submitted as part of the applicable minor’s contest Entry, or any portion thereof, in any manner, and in any and all formats and media now known or hereafter devised, without payment to you or any third party. You represent and warrant that you are the parent or legal guardian of the minor and provide your express consent for your child and information about your child to appear in any materials submitted in the Contest or related event or ceremony, and you have the full legal right, power, and authority to grant to the Sponsor this license. Information about your child may include his/her name, address (city and state), likeness, photograph, voice, biographical information, and/or any statements made by him/her regarding the Contest, the Sponsor, or any other person or entity related to the National Civics Bee®.
GENERAL RULES
No Entry can be withdrawn after the applicable deadline for Entry described in the section above entitled “Entry Procedure.” None of the Sponsor, the Entrant’s parents, or affiliated entities or agents of the Sponsor, are responsible for any illegible, lost, stolen, late, damaged, incomplete, mutilated or misdirected applications or other documents. Entrants are responsible for ensuring proper contact information has been submitted and is maintained throughout the National Civics Bee® to allow communications about the National Civics Bee®.
Erroneous or false information provided in the Entry will result in immediate disqualification of the Entrant. Sponsor and the Judges otherwise retain the right to disqualify any Entrant in their sole discretion.
If, for any reason, the National Civics Bee® is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor reserves the right in Sponsor’s sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the National Civics Bee® at any time. Sponsor reserves the right to amend the rules of the contest at any time.
By creating an Entry, or by being an Entrant, you understand that there is no joint venture, partnership, employment, or agency relation between you and the Sponsor arising from any Entry.
The decisions of the Judges are final, and Entrants specifically agree that the decision of the Judges and any decisions of Sponsor are not subject to review or appeal in any forum whatsoever, including courts of law.
Any information provided as part of the Essay Round is provided according to the Privacy Policy available at this link: Privacy Policy Link, as such policy may be amended from time to time, and as otherwise provided for in these Rules. Entrants agree that personal data, in particular name and address, may be processed, shared, and otherwise used for the purposes and within the context of the Contest and any other purposes outlined in these Essay Round Rules and according to the website’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The data may also be used by the Sponsor in order to verify the Entrant’s First Name, Last Name, School Name, ZIP Code, Parent/Guardian’s Phone Number/Email, or to otherwise verify the Entrant’s eligibility to participate in the Contest. Participants have the right to access, review, rectify, or cancel any personal data held by the Sponsor by writing to U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, ATTN: National Civics Bee, 1615 H Street NW, Washington D.C. 20062, [email protected].
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
By entering the Contest, Entrant agrees that (1) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the Contest, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually without resort to any form of class action; (2) any claims, judgment, and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Contest, but in no event attorney’s fees; and (3) under no circumstances, will any Entrant be permitted to obtain any award for, and Entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than damages for actual out-of-pocket expenses. In no event shall the liability of the Sponsor exceed $100.
WINNERS LIST
To request a list of the names of the three finalists of the National Civics Bee® National Championship send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, ATTN: National Civics Bee, 1615 H Street NW, Washington D.C. 20062.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Students who participate in the National Civics Bee® gain knowledge about American democracy, practice engaging respectfully and constructively, and build trust in others and institutions. As they compete for prizes, students strengthen their civics, writing, and public speaking skills, and form friendships with other young leaders along the way.
