Debate
Victory Briefs
VBI alumni have won over 50 national debate championships across the Tournament of Champions, the National Speech and Debate Association, the National Catholic Forensic League, and the National Debate Coaches Association, in addition to hundreds of national invitationals, round robins, and state tournaments—and even a world championship. What's our secret?
The VBI curriculum centers on one-on-one mentorship and active learning. Often imitated but never equaled, our flexible curriculum allows students to master whatever skills and concepts they need to achieve their goals. Many students say they learn more at VBI than in a year of school.
The VBI faculty is a diverse and dedicated group of educators that care deeply about helping each debater reach their full potential. Our faculty is composed of the most accomplished debaters and coaches in the country. VBI instructors have won or coached the winners of every major national championship, in addition to dozens of other invitationals, round robins, and state tournaments.
Our students describe VBI as a fun family environment in which they feel comfortable asking questions, making friends, and reaching outside their comfort zones as debaters. They leave camp with lifelong friendships and a love for debate, which leads many students to return for two, three, or four summers.
This year, we will be offering three sessions:
• June 28th-July 11th at Villanova University
• July 13-July 26 at Occidental College
• July 28-August 10 at the University of San Diego
Cal National Debate Institute
The California National Debate Institute is the premier summer camp on the West Coast for improving your speaking and debating skills. We have a variety of programs tailored to every experience level, whether you’re a complete novice or a nationally competitive debater with years of experience. Join us this summer and level-up your speaking and debate skills! CNDI will be in-person in Berkeley for the summer of 2025.
U Miami hurricane debate institute – Public Speaking and Argumentation
The primary goal of the Public Speaking and Argumentation program is to empower students through public expression to become better thinkers, speakers, writers, listeners, and leaders. Students in this program will explore and develop their thinking and speaking skills through games and exercises involving public speaking (impromptu and prepared), as well as group problem-solving and discussion. Students will be exposed to and learn various formal styles of debate (e.g., Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, and Policy Debate) as well as other communication based activities. Students will learn to cope with speaking anxieties, to organize and support their ideas, to critically evaluate and respond appropriately to the ideas of others, and to deliver effective messages. While the format and content will not directly prepare students to participate in competitive debate or forensics, it may serve as a precursor to such participation. This program is appropriate for students of all ages, but especially rising 9th-12th graders.
Also available for rising 6th-8th graders.
U Miami hurricane debate institute – Public forum
The Public Forum program will prepare students to participate and be successful in competitive debate through a combination of instruction and practice debates. Students will learn how to construct briefs, deliver the most persuasive speeches, and research effectively. Students will debate a variety of topics throughout the institute. More important than instruction, students will have the ability to debate and receive feedback from a number of experienced debate coaches. This will help students as they can work on the skills necessary to become successful debaters.
This program is appropriate for beginner or novice students of all ages, but especially rising 9th-12th graders.
The Debate Institutes at Dartmouth
The DDI is a program for experienced policy debaters with at least a full year of high school debate experience. Now in its fourth decade, the DDI has produced national champions at the high school and collegiate level. Most attendees are entering their junior or senior year; it may be appropriate for sophomores with a strong record.
Stanford National Forensic Institute
Website
SNFI Middle School programs prepare middle school students for competitive speech and debate in local leagues and prepares them to enter high school level debate events. The skills honed in SNFI programs aid students in their academic classwork as they prepare for a rigorous pre-college academic track in high school. Speech and debate hone many of the most imporant skills needed for a successful professional career in the contemporary world: public speaking, research skills, thinking under pressure, and how to apply analytical approaches to complex problems. Note: we do not accept international students for any of our middle school sessions.