SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

SUMMER 2023 SESSION CAMP DESCRIPTIONS:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAMPS:

Foundations of Public Speaking:

Overview: This camp teaches students the fundamentals central to public speaking. In this camp students will learn the ins and outs of how to elevate their public speaking: voice projection and volume control, speech organization, annunciation and verbal clarity, tonal variety, leveraging various persuasion styles (logos, ethos, pathos), reduction of verbal static (uh, um, like, and other unnecessary fillers), hand gestures, posture control, power stances, controlling the room, outlining, physical presence, cadence and rhythm.
Duration and Times: One-week camp; Monday through Friday; 9am to 12pm.
Cost: $495 per camp session
Dates: See summer schedule for exact dates

Elementary Debate:

Overview: Elementary debate teaches students the fundamentals of debate. Students will learn the various Elementary debate formats: SPAR debate and Congressional debate. They will learn all about logic, argumentation, persuasive writing, debate structure, reasoning, cross-examination, closings, rebuttal techniques and various persuasion styles. Students can expect to enjoy a lot of practice debates.
Duration and Times: One-week camp; Monday through Friday; 9am to 12pm.
Cost: $495 per camp session
Dates: See summer schedule for exact dates

Elementary Speech

Overview: Elementary Speech teaches students the fundamentals related to speech. Students will learn various Elementary speech formats like Impromptu speaking, Oratory speaking, Declamation speaking, Storytelling, and more. Students will hone in on key communication pillars like: speech organization, volume control, projection, tonal variety, cadence and rhythm, diction, hand gestures, emoting, and more.
Duration and Times: One-week camp; Monday through Friday; 9am to 12pm.
Cost: $495 per camp session
Dates: See summer schedule for exact dates

Advanced Techniques for Competitive Debate

Overview: This camp takes Elementary debate to the next level. This camp will drill down on specific debate techniques to get students to that next level. Students will focus on things like: high-volume rebuttal argumentation, use of standards in elementary debate, crystallization, using evidence in debate, signposting, outweighing arguments, providing burdens in debate rounds, persuasive techniques, cross examination traps, and more! This is a great camp for any student that has elementary debate experience.
Duration and Times: One-week camp; Monday through Friday; 9am to 12pm.
Cost: $495 per camp session
Dates: See summer schedule for exact dates

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPS:

Lincoln Douglas Debate:

Overview: The Lincoln Douglas (LD) debate camp provides a deep dive into the LD style of debate. Students in this camp will learn the following: LD casewriting, the fundamentals of LD argumentation, research and evidence, framework construction: how to use standards e.g. value and value criterion; flowing techniques, blocks, rebuttal techniques, signposting, crystallization, comparative analysis, philosophy for LD debate, judge adaptation, issue selection, framing, weighing arguments, practice debates.
Who: This camp is for any student who wants to dive deep into the world of LD debate.
Grade Level: 6th, 7th, 8th
Background: LD Debate is one of the premiere and staple formats of debate in the United States. Rooted in tradition back to the days of Abraham Lincoln, LD Debate utilizes a one-vs-one style in which participants debate a topic with both policy and philosophical nuances.
Deliverables: Knowledge and understanding of LD Debate; written affirmative case; written negative case; written blocks document; multiple real practice rounds. Students will leave this camp fully ready to participate in LD debate in the coming year and start tournament participation in LD debate immediately.
Duration and Times: One-week camp; Monday through Friday; 1pm to 4pm.
Cost: $495 per camp session
Dates: See summer schedule for exact dates

Congressional Debate

Overview: The Congressional Debate (Congress) debate camp provides a deep dive into the Congressional style of debate.
Description and Curricular Focus: Students in this camp will learn the following: Congressional speech construction; delivering speeches from outlines; spontaneous speaking; research and evidence use in argumentation; note-taking in Congressional debate; rebuttal techniques; crystallization; constitutional theory; fundamentals of government and the American political system; practice Congressional debates; judge adaptation, rhetoric and persuasion, basic parliamentary / congressional procedure for debate e.g. motions to make during a legislative body debate; understanding of rights, government structure and policy-making; how a bill becomes a law.
Who: This camp is for any student who wants to dive deep into the world of Congressional debate.
Grade Level: 6th, 7th, 8th
Background: Congressional Debate is a popular debate format in the United States. This style of debate asks students to channel their inner-Senator by engaging in debates on various “bills” (topics). Students are given a docket of bills, asked to conduct research on those topics, choose a side, construct an outline and speech for their position, and then debate these bills with a chamber of other students.
Deliverables: Knowledge and understanding of Congressional Debate; creation of several Congressional speech outlines; multiple practice Congressional debates. Students will leave this camp fully ready to participate in Congressional debate in the coming year and start tournament participation in Congressional debate immediately.
Duration and Times: One-week camp; Monday through Friday; 1pm to 4pm.
Cost: $495 per camp session
Dates: See summer schedule for exact dates

Spontaneous Debate

Overview: The Spontaneous Debate debate camp provides a deep dive into two unique types of debate: SPAR debate and Parliamentary-style debate. These two popular styles of debate teach students how to debate with limited preparation time. SPAR debate is a one-on-one style in which students debate an age-appropriate topic after just two minutes of preparation time. In Parliamentary-style debate, students are paired with a partner and debate after twenty to thirty minutes of preparation time.
Description and Curricular Focus: Students in this camp will learn the following: SPAR debate; Parliamentary debate; limited preparation research; spontaneous
Who: This camp is great for any student who wants to learn all about spontaneous debate.
Grade Level: 6th, 7th, 8th
Background: SPAR Debate is an excellent way to introduce students to debating in the classroom. It’s an activity for getting students initially exposed to debating, but also for isolating and introducing the key elements of academic argumentation. SPAR is short for Spontaneous Argumentation debates. The term connotes, too, some of the jousting and practicing that we think of as “sparring.” SPAR Debate can be used with minimal research, and is therefore a very good format for getting students up and arguing.
Duration and Times: One-week camp; Monday through Friday; 1pm to 4pm.
Cost: $495 per camp session
Dates: See summer schedule for exact dates

Foundations of Public Speaking

Overview: This camp teaches students the fundamentals central to public speaking. In this camp students will learn the ins and outs of how to elevate their public speaking: voice projection and volume control, speech organization, annunciation and verbal clarity, tonal variety, leveraging various persuasion styles (logos, ethos, pathos), reduction of verbal static (uh, um, like, and other unnecessary fillers), hand gestures, posture control, power stances, controlling the room, outlining, physical presence, cadence and rhythm.
Duration and Times: One-week camp; Monday through Friday; 1pm to 4pm.
Cost: $495 per camp session
Dates: See summer schedule for exact dates

Speech Camp:

Overview: This camp will teach students all about the “speech” side of “speech and debate”. Students will focus on learning Impromptu speaking, Declamation, Original Oratory, and Storytelling. Students will hone in on key communication pillars like: speech organization, volume control, projection, tonal variety, cadence and rhythm, diction, hand gestures, emoting, and more.
Duration and Times: One-week camp; Monday through Friday; 1pm to 4pm.
Cost: $495 per camp session
Dates: See summer schedule for exact dates

New Topic Prep Session

Overview: The new topic prep session provides an accelerated jumpstart into the Fall semester of debate. The National topic committee will have just released the Fall debate topic. This camp will provide a comprehensive topic analysis to students. Students will leave the camp with multiple affirmative and negative cases, a blocks document for their rebuttals on the new topic, and significant practice debating the new topic. Students will leave this camp completely ready for tournament participation on the new topic.
Description and Curricular Focus: Students in this camp will learn the following: New LD debate topic; affirmative casing; negative casing; blocks preparation; practice LD debate rounds; philosophy related to the new LD debate topic; public policy related to the new topic; strategy related to the new topic.
Who: Any student with prior LD debate experience (from a previous term or summer session focused on LD).
Grade Level: Middle School; High School. Students will be separated based on experience and skill level.
Duration and Times: One-week camp; Monday through Friday; 1pm to 4pm.
Cost: $495 per camp session
Dates: See summer schedule for exact dates

Advanced Debate with Adam Tomasi (Online Only)

Students will learn key skills and content to elevate their skills to the next level. Students will learn: Advanced framework argumentation (value, value criterion), mastery of the contention model, how to defend and refute popular frameworks, advanced refutation, argument analysis of advanced cases, strategies that maximize persuasive appeal in front of parent judges, how to write strategic cases for traditional debates, how to give powerful rebuttal speeches, establishing and maintaining room presence, impact weighing, link weighing, answering extinction arguments, permutations, answering common "Kritiks", consequentialist frameworks, impact weighing abuse scenarios, conditionality, RVIs, topicality, PICs, spreading, debate strategy, critical debate, philosophical framework debate, theory debate, etc.
Duration and Times: One-week camp; Monday through Friday; 1pm to 4pm.
Cost: $495 per camp session
Dates: See summer schedule for exact dates

HIGH SCHOOL CAMPS:

High School Speech & Debate:

Overview: The High School Speech and Debate camp provides a great overview of all the key pillars of speech and debate. Students will be introduced to LD debate, Congressional Debate, Impromptu speaking, prepared speeches, and other core areas of public speaking. This is a great camp for high schoolers looking to begin their journey into speech and debate.
Who: High schoolers looking to begin their speech and debate journey.
Grade Level: Rising 9th to high school grades.
Deliverables: Knowledge and understanding of core speech and debate events.
Duration and Times: One-week camp; Monday through Friday; 1pm to 4pm.
Cost: $495 per camp session
Dates: See summer schedule for exact dates

New Topic Prep Session

Overview: The new topic prep session provides an accelerated jumpstart into the Fall semester of debate. The National topic committee will have just released the Fall debate topic. This camp will provide a comprehensive topic analysis to students. Students will leave the camp with multiple affirmative and negative cases, a blocks document for their rebuttals on the new topic, and significant practice debating the new topic. Students will leave this camp completely ready for tournament participation on the new topic.
Description and Curricular Focus: Students in this camp will learn the following: New LD debate topic; affirmative casing; negative casing; blocks preparation; practice LD debate rounds; philosophy related to the new LD debate topic; public policy related to the new topic; strategy related to the new topic.
Who: Any student with prior LD debate experience (from a previous term or summer session focused on LD).
Grade Level: Middle School; High School. Students will be separated based on experience and skill level.
Duration and Times: One-week camp; Monday through Friday; 1pm to 4pm.
Cost: $495 per camp session
Dates: See summer schedule for exact dates

Advanced Debate with Adam Tomasi (Online Only)

Overview: Students will learn key skills and content to elevate their skills to the next level. Students will learn: Advanced framework argumentation (value, value criterion), mastery of the contention model, how to defend and refute popular frameworks, advanced refutation, argument analysis of advanced cases, strategies that maximize persuasive appeal in front of parent judges, how to write strategic cases for traditional debates, how to give powerful rebuttal speeches, establishing and maintaining room presence, impact weighing, link weighing, answering extinction arguments, permutations, answering common "Kritiks", consequentialist frameworks, impact weighing abuse scenarios, conditionality, RVIs, topicality, PICs, spreading, debate strategy, critical debate, philosophical framework debate, theory debate, etc.
Duration and Times: One-week camp; Monday through Friday; 1pm to 4pm.
Cost: $495 per camp session
Dates: See summer schedule for exact dates

SUMMER '23 ENHANCEMENT CLASSES:
(Enhancements Are Separate from our One-Week Sessions)

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ENHANCEMENTS:

Philosophy and Logic for Debate (Elementary)

Overview: The Philosophy and Logic for Debate enhancement class is a speciality course covering essential pillars of philosophy and logic that are often utilized in debate. Students will expand their minds and learn key philosophy related to ethics, morality, and justice as well as the nuances of logical reasoning. Philosophy and logic are pivotal in debate and core to critical thinking. In depth study in these areas will prepare students for significant success in debate and strengthen core knowledge.
When: June 10, 17; 24, July 1st | 9am to 11am | Saturdays
Structure: This class meets once a week (for two hours) over a four-week period.
Assignments: There will be some work to complete in between each week’s class.

Writing Intensive (Elementary)

Overview: This speciality enhancement course provides a deep dive on all aspects of debate writing. Students will learn, master, and polish their skills related to a wide range of debate writing. Students will master their writing skills around case writing, persuasive writing, evidence integration, strategic outline creation, and one prepared speech. This course specialization will provide a strong base to support any student’s debate journey.
When: June 6th, 13th; 20th, 27th) | 3:00pm to 5:00pm | Tuesdays

MIDDLE SCHOOL ENHANCEMENTS:

Middle School: Philosophy and Logic for Debate

Overview: The Philosophy and Logic for Debate enhancement class is a speciality course covering essential pillars of philosophy and logic that are often utilized in debate. Students will expand their minds and learn key philosophy related to ethics, morality, and justice as well as the nuances of logical reasoning. Philosophy and logic are pivotal in debate and core to critical thinking. In depth study in these areas will prepare students for significant success in debate and strengthen core knowledge.
When: June 10, 17; 24, July 1st) | 11:30am to 1:30pm | Saturdays

Middle School: Writing Intensive

Overview: This speciality enhancement course provides a deep dive on all aspects of debate writing. Students will learn, master, and polish their skills related to a wide range of debate writing. Students will master their writing skills around case writing, persuasive writing, evidence integration, strategic outline creation, and one prepared speech. This course specialization will provide a strong base to support any student’s debate journey.
When: June 10, 17; 24, July 1st) | 5:30pm to 7:30pm | Saturdays

SUMMER 2023 SCHEDULE:

ELEMENTARY CAMPS (In-Person):
[A] Elementary | Cupertino: June 5th-9th [Foundations of Public Speaking] |9am to 12pm
[B] Elementary | Cupertino: June 12th-16th [Elementary Debate] |9am to 12pm
[C] Elementary | Cupertino: June 19th-23rd [Advanced Techniques for Competitive Debate] |9am to 12pm
[D] Elementary | Cupertino: June 26th-30th [Elementary Speech] |9am to 12pm
[E] Elementary | Cupertino: July 10th-14th [Foundations of Public Speaking] |9am to 12pm
[F] Elementary | Cupertino: July 17th-21st [Elementary Debate] |9am to 12pm
[G] Elementary | Cupertino: July 24th-28th [Advanced Techniques for Competitive Debate] |9am to 12pm
[H] Elementary | Cupertino: July 31st to August 4th [Foundations of Public Speaking] |9am to 12pm

ELEMENTARY CAMPS (Online):
[I] Elementary | Online: June 12th-16th [Elementary Debate]| 9am to 12pm
[J] Elementary | Online: June 26th-30th [Advanced Techniques for Competitive Debate]| 9am to 12pm
[K] Elementary | Online: July 17th-21st [Foundation of Public Speaking]| 9am to 12pm
[L] Elementary | Online: July 31st to August 4th [Elementary Debate]| 9am to 12pm

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPS (In-Person):
[M] Middle | Cupertino: June 5th-9th [Foundations of Public Speaking] | 1pm to 4pm
[N] Middle | Cupertino: June 12th-16th [Foundations of Public Speaking]| 1pm to 4pm
[O] Middle | Cupertino: June 19th-23rd [Lincoln Douglas Debate]| 1pm to 4pm
[P] Middle | Cupertino: June 26th-30th [Lincoln Douglas Debate]| 1pm to 4pm
[Q] Middle | Cupertino: July 10th-14th [Congressional Debate]| 1pm to 4pm
[R] Middle | Cupertino: July 17th-21st [Spontaeneous Debate]| 1pm to 4pm
[S] Middle | Cupertino: July 24th-28th [Prepared Speech: Oratory and Declamation]| 1pm to 4pm
[T] Middle | Cupertino: July 31st to August 4th [Prepared Speech: Oratory and Declamation]| 1pm to 4pm
[U] Middle | Cupertino: August 7th-11th: [New Topic Prep Session / Fall Jumpstart Session]| 1pm to 4pm

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPS (Online):
[V] Middle | Online: June 12th-16th [Foundations of Public Speaking]| 1pm to 4pm
[W] Middle | Online: June 12th-16th: [Advanced Debate]| 1pm to 4pm
[X] Middle | Online: June 26th-30th [Lincoln Douglas Debate]| 1pm to 4pm
[Y] Middle | Online: July 10th-14th [Advanced Debate]| 1pm to 4pm
[Z] Middle | Online: July 17th-21st [Spontaeneous Debate]| 1pm to 4pm
[ZA] Middle | Online: July 31st to August 4th [Prepared Speech: Oratory and Declamation]| 1pm to 4pm
[ZB] Middle | Online: August 7th-11th: [New Topic Prep Session / Fall Jumpstart Session]| 1pm to 4pm
[ZC] Middle | Online: August 14th-18th: [New Topic Prep Session / Fall Jumpstart Session]| 1pm to 4pm

HIGH SCHOOL CAMPS (In-Person):
[ZD] High | Cupertino: July 10th-14th [High School Speech & Debate]| 1pm to 4pm
[ZE] High |Cupertino: July 17th-21st [High School Speech & Debate| 1pm to 4pm
[U] High | Cupertino: August 7th-11th: [New Topic Prep Session / Fall Jumpstart Session]| 1pm to 4pm

HIGH SCHOOL CAMPS (Online):
[W] High | Online: June 12th-16th: [Advanced Debate]| 1pm to 4pm
[ZF] High | Online: July 10th-14th [High School Speech & Debate] | 1pm to 4pm
[Y] High | Online: July 10th-14th [Advanced Debate]| 1pm to 4pm
[ZB] High | Online: August 7th-11th: [New Topic Prep Session / Fall Jumpstart Session]| 1pm to 4pm
[ZC] High | Online: August 14th-18th: [New Topic Prep Session / Fall Jumpstart Session]| 1pm to 4pm