Register the first week of January with Learning is For Everyone (LIFE) of Tampa Bay area for their annual spelling bee. Home-schoolers in Hillsborough, Hernando, Pasco and Pineallas counties are eligible. Held at a local library in December or January, contest winners of the LIFE competition advance to the regional spelling bee.
Win at Macy's annual spelling bee and receive free tutoring, gift cards and a trip to New York City. Successful contestants from 19 states continue on for a $5,000 prize at Macy's Herald Square in New York City. Children aged 8 to 10 years old may participate at the Adventura, Florida or Countryside malls the last week of August to show off those spelling skills.
Become a member of Parents Educating Children (PEC). PEC provides home-school support utilizing the philosophy of Judeo-Christian values in Palm Beach County. Anyone home schooling may become a member by registering and paying $40 in annual dues (as of April, 2011). Children in first through eighth grade are eligible to compete in the annual PEC Scripps National Spelling Bee-approved competition. Winners advance to regional Scripps-sponsored competitions.
Enter the Florida Times-Union spelling bee. The bee, which began in 1944, is open to all students in the 15-county district covered by the Times-Union. Home-schooled students in first through eighth grade must register their group or school at spellingbee.com to be eligible to participate in county competitions. The Times-Union pitches in $15 of the $99 (as of April, 2011) application fee. The winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.