From Civics To Creativity To Family Fun: Three Upcoming Events For St. Mary’s And Calvert County For PK–5 And Middle School Students

CALIFORNIA, Md. — Middle school students across St. Mary’s County and Calvert County will have several opportunities this February and March to engage in civics, history and community celebration through three upcoming events designed to educate, inspire and bring families together.

The St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, will host a National Civics Bee local live event on March 28, 2026, aimed at encouraging civic knowledge and participation among local middle school students.

Open to all middle school students, the competition will test participants through a written essay based on civics-related topics while promoting informed citizenship and ways to improve their community. Organizers said the event is designed to be both educational and engaging for students and families. Middle school students from public, private, charter and homeschools with ideas about improving their communities may submit an essay for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes.

Finalists will be notified by March 8, 2026. Top-scoring essay finalists are invited to compete at a regional bee and state final from March through July 2026. The top winner from each state receives a trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the national championship.

The finalist event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cole Cinema inside the Center for the Study of Democracy at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, located at 47600 Mill Field Drive in St. Mary’s City.

Information on sponsorships or student participation is available through the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce at 301-737-3001 or info@smcchamber.com.

Essay submissions are accepted through Feb. 3, 2026 (the portal closes at midnight), and essays will be judged through Feb. 27, 2026. Click here to apply and for more submission details.

Students can also showcase their creativity and historical knowledge through the 26th Annual Black History Month Poster Contest, sponsored by the Calvert Cliffs Clean Energy Center. The contest invites students to explore any aspect of African American history through original artwork and a written paragraph describing what they learned during their research.

The contest is open to students in public, private and home schools in St. Mary’s and Calvert counties, with a specific category for grades 6 through 8. Posters are due to schools by Feb. 6, with site voting scheduled from Feb. 16 through March 27. Winners will be notified the week of March 31, and an awards luncheon will be held April 25. Only individual student work is permitted, and posters must comply with contest guidelines to be eligible for judging.

In addition to academic-focused events, families are invited to attend the Daddy Daughter Dance, themed “SEAing is Believing,” scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at the Loffler Center in Chancellor’s Run Regional Park. The event features an “Enchanted Winter Wonderland” theme and is designed to provide a memorable evening for fathers and daughters in the community.

Registration for the Daddy Daughter Dance is available through the St. Mary’s County Parks and Recreation online catalog. Organizers encourage early registration due to limited availability.

Whether sparking an interest in civics, encouraging creative expression through history or building cherished family memories, each event plays a role in shaping confident, curious students whose experiences extend well beyond the classroom.

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