Chamber to host first-ever Regional Civics Bee

Civics connects us to one another. It reminds us that our voices, when informed and engaged, build stronger communities. A better understanding of civics helps us better understand how our communities work, and how we can make them better.

The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is excited to announce it will host a Regional Civics Bee in Sioux Falls in 2026.

The competition is free and open to students enrolled in sixth, seventh and eighth grades in area schools. To apply, students will submit a guided essay focused on opportunities for growth they see in their community. Local judges will then select finalists to advance to the regional competition, which mirrors a traditional spelling bee format.

During the regional competition, 20 finalists will compete by answering two rounds of civics-based questions. In rounds one and two, all students answer the same 10 multiple-choice questions per round and earn one point for each correct answer.

The top five scorers from those rounds will advance to the final round, where each student will present a three-sentence summary of the essay they submitted with their application. A panel of event judges will ask each student follow-up questions and evaluate their answers using a specified judging rubric.

Scores from the final round will be added to earlier rounds to determine the top three winners. Students who place in the top three will receive trophies, prizes and an invitation to the State Finals, where they will compete against students from across
South Dakota.

This marks the first year the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce will host a Regional Civics Bee and the second year the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce will host the State Finals. The event aims to increase civic education, foster local competition and engage future leaders in the greater Sioux Falls area. This is an excellent opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of civics and to form lasting friendships with other competitors.

For more information on the Regional Competition and the National Civics Bee, visit siouxfallschamber.com/civicsbee.

Applications open Nov. 3