Summer Academic Enrichment Eligible Programs

Goals

Many middle school students are trying speech & debate out for the first time, or are unable to compete in the activity until high school. In this camp, middle school students who are new to policy debate will have a chance to learn the ropes of basic argumentation, case-building, and debating. Our goal is to provide a welcoming, comfortable, low-stakes environment where students can try (and fail, and try again) to learn the core tenets of this activity. Students who already have gained some skills on their school’s policy debate team will find the opportunity to lead, polish their skills, and compete at an advanced level during our final tournament of the week.

Our Middle School Policy Debate Camp is designed to introduce students to the art of debate and prepare them to compete on policy debate teams at their schools. In this camp, students will:

- Understand the fundamentals of policy debate, including case-building, cross-examination, and refutation - Gain research skills and learn how to develop effective arguments using the claim-data-warrant method. - Build their advocacy and leadership skills, including public speaking - Research the upcoming debate topic for the 2022-23 school year (emerging technologies) - Undertake practice debates

Although this camp is designed for students who intend to join policy debate teams in the future (either in middle school or during high school), it will benefit all students who are interested in learning more about current events and becoming more persuasive.

Thes skills and content knowledge learned at this camp directly translate to essay writing and analysis in social studies courses. Public speaking, argumentative writing, and deep reading of non-fiction texts prepares students for success in their English coursework.

Activities

The core principle of MDAW is that debate is best learned by doing. Students will have a practice debate almost every day at camp. MDAW is where we learn new arguments, research new topics, and try-on new ideas. For many students, attending this camp will be their first time ever attempting the activity. Our staff members will be supportive and help them grow their skills from any entry point.

Students who are curious about how laws are made or passionate about current affairs will have a great time at middle school policy debate camp because it gives them the opportunity to deeply research current issues.

Through debate games, research labs, group lectures, and individual work, students will master the fundamentals of policy debate. In mock practice debates, students will work with a partner, get feedback from educator judges, and build exposure to the stresses and challenges of in-person public speaking in a low-stakes environment.

What sets the MDAW apart from other debate camps is the intentional community-building aspect. MDAW believes strongly in the importance of developing positive relationships between staff and students – along with growing our own leadership. The vast majority of our staff were participants themselves in MDAW. While much of the day will be spent undertaking rigorous study and skill-building in debate, students will have intentional time for building relationships with others through free time and fun debate games. In-person campers will have the opportunity to take breaks to do fun activities like roasting s’mores, tie-dyeing T shirts, making craft projects, or simply playing frisbee on Augsburg University’s lawn.

The final day of camp will culminate in a mock debate with an audience, where students will present the strongest cases they created over the course of camp. Students will gain feedback from judges and receive awards for their work. Family and friends are invited to attend.

Program Dates

Camps are held over 5 days.

In Person Option: Monday June 20, 2022 – Friday June 24, 2022

Virtual Option: Monday June 27, 2022 – July 1, 2022

Can students reside on campus? No

Can students commute to campus? Yes

Can students take online classes? Yes