Summer Academic Enrichment Eligible Programs

Goals

Students will:

• Learn about and debate important topics relevant to their lives while gaining communication, reasoning, and public speaking skills.

• Learn to disagree in a healthy and productive way centered around reasoning and evidence!

• Learn the fundamentals of policy debate and learn about the topic area for competitive debate in the 24-25 school year (Mars Colonization)

• Master the fundamentals of argumentation using the Claim, Evidence, Warrant Model

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

We make learning engaging, fun, and competitive and complex information accessible through our program design.

Students learn to think on their feet and speak during games and practice rounds, improving moment to moment. We offer a low-stakes environment where students can build the skills they need to thrive at high-pressure tournaments during the season.

Our knowledgeable, caring, and experienced staff love forensics and they want to share the activity with you! We hire experienced university instructors, classroom teachers, and speech and debate coaches who have a proven track record of coaching champion speakers from many backgrounds.

It's not all work and no play. Frequent breaks and a free lunch period are important for our camp model. We make time for rest and opportunities to connect with fellow campers. Whether students like outdoor fun, board games, or arts and crafts, they'll enjoy the 'traditional camp activities' we try to integrate where we can!

Each camp's programming increases in difficulty and complexity day-by-day, allowing shy students to become accustomed to speaking in public bit by bit before they reach the camp's cumulative event, a showcase or tournament. At policy debate camp, students are preparing for a mock tournament on the final day, where they will compete for medals and the title of camp champion (though everyone goes home with accolades and candy bars!)

Program Dates

Please note that we will host two sessions of this camp due to popular demand. We discourage students from enrolling in both sessions of camp, because the content is identical. The sessions include:

Session 1: 06/10/2024 – 06/14/2024 M – F 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Session 2: MON. JUNE 17 – SAT. JUNE 22 (NO CAMP ON JUNETEENTH) 9:00 AM-3:00 PM

Can students reside on campus? No

Can students commute to campus? Yes

Can students take online classes? No