Debate Camp

 

This summer's debate camp will feature two action-packed weeks of intense instruction, practical application, and fun. This camp will be led by PHC debate coach and award-winning debater Kyndra Jamison. Debate camp will focus on three main areas: the National Christian Forensics and Communication Association's 2010-2011 policy debate topic, debate theory, and practice in debate strategy. Debate camp will culminate in a policy debate tournament, where the skills and knowledge gained throughout the camp can be directly applied.

Dr. James Tallmon, PHC Director of Debate, will be our featured guest lecturer. Dr. Tallmon will contribute to your learning experience by providing a series of lectures and exercises on rhetoric and dialectic. The top-notch coaching staff ensure debate camp is an academically rigorous environment where you are sure to learn more in two weeks than some learn in six months. While the camp leans heavily on teaching and practice, a research element is involved. Coaches will guide you through in policy research, a valuable skill for anyone, but you must already have basic computer knowledge and typing skills.

Debate camp has two tracks: Novice and Open. To be admitted to the Open track, you will have to pass a debate exam, to be administered the first day of camp. The Novice track is for those who have zero to one year of experience in public speech or policy debate, while the Open track assumes a basic level of familiarity with debate case preparation and stock issues theory.

Some exciting features of debate camp:

- Leave camp with a prepared case and couple hundred pages of evidence.
- Compete in the first tournament of the year -- two days, 6 rounds + outrounds!
- Come to camp with someone you know, or be paired with a partner here.
- We divide into four "clubs", which compete for points, share evidence, and are club protected at the tournament.
- Improve your quick-thinking, analytical, and speaking skills in fun parliamentary-style practice rounds.
- Topical field trips to think tanks and research libraries, and a fun optional tour into D.C.!