Welcome to the 2026 Varsity National LifeSmarts Championship Team Information Center
The National Consumers League LifeSmarts Program is excited to have your team competing in the 2026 Varsity National LifeSmarts Championship!
This page will provide updates for coaches and teams. Check back often for updates.
Real ID Reminder – Real ID Reminder
As you prepare to attend our Varsity National LifeSmarts Championship, ensure your identification meets new federal travel standards. A Real ID is required for all individuals aged 18 and older to board domestic flights. Teens under 18 are not required to have a Real ID for air travel, as they can fly with an accompanying adult with the necessary identification.
- Best Practice: While not required, bringing a copy of a birth certificate, school ID, or passport is recommended for identification verification.
- Non-Parent Adult: If the teen is traveling with a non-parent adult, a signed consent letter from the parent/guardian is advised.
If a teen is 18 or older, they will need a Real ID, a valid passport, or another TSA-approved form of documentation. A star in the top-right corner identifies a Real ID and meets federal security standards. For more information on obtaining a Real ID, visit the TSA website here.
2026 Varsity National LifeSmarts Championship Coach Memo
2026 National LifeSmarts Championship Team Registration and Competition Agreement – Due March 5!
Apply for Tax Exempt status for Florida to save money 
Team Photo for social media – Email to Cheryl Varnadoe by March 5!
Participation Release Forms REQUIRED for all participants including coaches. Submit these by March 5
if you did not already submit for your State LifeSmarts Championship
Competition rules for the 2026 LifeSmarts National Championship
Fundraising Letter Template – NOTE: We will also share ideas in our weekly National Championship e-news
Sample Credit Union Funding Proposal
Orlando National LifeSmarts Championship microsite
Disney Tickets Available On-site at our event hotel
Coach of the Year Nomination
Student of the Year Nomination
Orlando Outlook
This Weekly National LifeSmarts Championship newsletter filled with highlights and reminders begins publication five weeks prior to National LifeSmarts Championship.These will be emailed to team Coaches and Assistant Coaches as well as shared here.
Championship Clues
Be on the lookout for Championship Clues on Instagram and Facebook
Here’s your first Championship Clue!
- Practice unique question types you’ll see at Nationals
- Get your team up to speed: Review sample SpeedSmarts activities from past events
- Team Link Samples
- Sample practice rounds
- Practice Content
2026 Pin Design Contest
Design a pin for LifeSmarts 2027!
Announcing the 2026 Meme Contest
Share the meme contest with your team members.
How to participate:
- Follow @LifeSmarts_org on Instagram and make a Meme about funny LifeSmarts moments and how much love LifeSmarts!
- DM your submission to @LifeSmarts_org and tag your entry on your socials with #LifeSmarts2026 and#LifeSmartsNationalChampionship. (if you have trouble notify the LifeSmarts staff onsite)
- Submissions will be posted on our instagram (@LifeSmarts_org) and the meme with the most likes by midnight on April 17th will earn a prize for the meme-maker(s)!
- LifeSmarts official logos
- LifeSmarts Instagram frames
Instagram Contest:
Share the Instagram Contest with your team members.
How to participate:
- Follow @LifeSmarts_org and include #lifesmarts2025 and #lifesmartsnationals in every post.
- Share pictures with us of your LifeSmarts in action.
- Show us funny stories about studying, traveling to Nationals, just hanging out with your team and of course, your best selfies!
- Posts from April 13th – April 17th at midnight Eastern time will be considered.
- Winners will receive prizes and will be announced at the awards luncheon.
- LifeSmarts official logos
- LifeSmarts Instagram frames
Calendar – Updated 2/12/2026
Dates and Deadlines:
2026 Varsity National LifeSmarts Championship Important Dates and Deadlines
February 2026
- February 12, 2026 – Team Information Center Opens
- February 22, 2026 – Competition 1 (OTC Medicine Safety Video) Submission Window Opens
- February 23, 2026 – Competition 2 (Intuit Hour of Personal Finance) Details Released
March 2026
- March 1, 2026 – Child Help / Meta Adult Online Safety Project Opens
- March 5, 2026 (Midnight ET) – Team Registration Deadline for Varsity National LifeSmarts Championship
- March 5, 2026 (Midnight ET) – Release Forms Due (if not submitted for State competition)
- March 5, 2026 – Optional Topic Assessment Selection (via Registration Form)
- March 11, 2026 – 5:00 PM ET – Coach Zoom Meeting 1(see Coach Memo)
- March 15, 2026 – Sarah Weinberg LifeSmarts Memorial Scholarship Due
- March 15, 2026 – Hotel Reservation Numbers and Room Roster Submission Form Due (if not included in your registration)
- March 16, 2026 – 3:00 PM ET – Coach Zoom Meeting 2 (see Coach Memo)
- March 16, 2026 – Anti-Counterfeiting Digital Poster Contest – Due
- March 18, 2026 – Team Travel Plans Form Submission Deadline
- March 23, 2026 – ConsumerMan LifeSmarts Scholarship Application Due
- March 23, 2026 – OTC Medicine Safety Mentoring Team Stipend Requests
- March 23, 2026 (on or by) – Anti-Counterfeiting Digital Poster Contest Finalists Notified
- March 25, 2026 – Midnight EST – Competition 1: OTC Medicine Safety Video Submission Deadline (see Coach Memo for details)
- March 25, 2026 – Midnight EST – Team Roll Call Video Submission Deadline – see Coach Memo for details; See Team information Center for examples
- March 26, 2026 – Hotel Room Booking Cutoff Date
- March 26, 2026 – 7:00 PM EDT – Optional Individual Topic Assessment – Session 1
- March 30, 2026 – 7:00 PM EDT – Optional Individual Topic Assessment – Session 2
April 2026
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- April 1, 2026 – Pin Design Contest Deadline
- April 3, 2026 – OTC Medicine Safety Mentor Individual Scholarships Due
- April 3, 2026 – LifeSmarts Impact Scholarship Due
- April 3, 2026 – Lisa Hertzberg LifeSmarts Legacy of Leadership Scholarship Due
- April 3, 2026 – Student of the Year Nominations Due
- April 3, 2026 – LifeSmarts Coach of the Year Nominations Due
- April 3, 2026 – Meta Online Safety Pilot Reports Due
- April 5, 2026 – LifeSmarts LifeSparks Team Achievement Award Due
LifeSmarts Spirit of Sportsmanship Team Award
Examples of Team Roll Call Video – Due
Example 1; Example 2; Example 3;
Important Guidelines for your Roll Call Video:
VIDEO REQUIREMENTS
- Please keep your video to a length of 10 seconds MAX.
- Have each team member introduce themselves. Please speak slowly, project your voice and enunciate.
- Make sure you say your team name and location.
- Leave 3 seconds before you start speaking and 3 seconds after the last word is said on the video for editing purposes.
FILMING TIPS
- Ensure there’s minimal background noise. Turning off anything that might interfere with the audio.
- If possible, use an external microphone or the best mic you have in order to ensure clear sound.
- Do not film this outdoors as the sound does not translate well when played in a ballroom setting.
- Please do not add or use any background music.
- We encourage you to wear items that show your team spirit.
- A little laughter can make your video more engaging and memorable. Keep the energy high and playful; your excitement will be contagious!
- Don’t be afraid to get creative!
The Team Roll Call video montage will be played during the Opening Session on Wednesday, April 15th. Submit your video here by . No late submissions will be accepted.
Additional Team Information
Download our NEW social media frames! 2026 coming soon!
Contact us if you need assistance.
ARCHIVED MATERIALS FROM THE 2025 VARSITY NATIONAL LIFESMARTS CHAMPIONSHIP
Thank you for an amazing Varsity National LifeSmarts Championship!
Wrap-up Page – Includes fill-in articles, photo link and more!
Certificates for your team members – you may download and personalize for your team
The 2025 LifeSmarts National LifeSmarts Championship App is here!
Instructions:
- Download the Attendee Mobile app here: https://mobile-mobile.swoogo.com/app/fgq0l4 or use the QR code
- IMPORTANT: If you have the app installed on your device from previous years, you will need to DELETE it, and download it again.
- Open the App and search for LifeSmarts 2025
- No one has to login to access the app.
- Competition schedules and more are in the app!
2024
Wrap Up Page – Press Release, Link to Photos, Final Placings
Rewatch the Semi-finals and Finals
2024 National LifeSmarts Championship Certificate for Team Members
2023
Wrap Up Page – Press Release, Link to Photos, Final Placings
Rewatch the Semi-finals and Finals
National LifeSmarts Championship Certificate for Team Members
