Leadership Day Camp

Youth Leadership Programs in Columbia, Maryland

Program Overview

Children and teens go through stages and challenges as they progress through school. They worry about image and re-evaluate themselves in light of the physical, mental, and emotional changes they are going through. Developing leadership skills at this critical stage enhances self-esteem and self-worth. It creates confidence and a strong belief in their abilities. 

When they attend our summer debate camps, students participate in our youth leadership programs. They learn the core leadership skills that will help them maximize and reach their full potential. These skills enable them to stand out among their peers and build competencies that they will cary with them all their lives. 

How We Teach

Our youth leadership camps are a subset of our larger group of academic camps and summer debate institutes.

Leadership is learned alongside other academic pursuits and the leadership theories we teach are applied using debate and public speaking. 

Campers will be included in a small group of debate students of similar age and experience. These small groups will learn and grow together as they apply the ideas we teach, under the careful guidance of our instructors.

Student will learn by doing. In every class, under every teacher and trainer, students learn leadership through simulation games and exercises. Our debate camps teach logic and reasoning, research techniques, and the art of argument. Our public speaking camps focus on effective speech delivery through vocal variety, articulation, and projection. 

Book-learning is important, but experience and application of book-learning is even more important. Campers will learn leadership by leading.

What We Teach

At our debate camps, youth leadership training is an essential element. Students will learn:

• Logic & Critical Thinking
• Cooperation
• Verbal Communication Skills
• Written Communication Skills

All these skills support leadership. The most important element of our youth leadership programs is experience. Our students will take these skills, build confidence as they use them in front of their peers, and learn leadership as they help their teams prepare cases, research evidence, and defend their position against the opposition. 

Program Options

• One Week Session: Leadership
• Two Week Session: Leadership plus Public Speaking 2
• Two Week Session: Leadership plus Competitive Debate
• Two Week Session: Leadership plus Mock Trial

We Make Leaders Better

Our instructors teach without micromanaging. They guide without pushing. Students see the difference between genuine, caring leadership and detached, careless dictating. Our staff are trained to watch each student, within each group, and insightfully suggest ways to improve their team dynamics. Parents, your student will learn to become a leader.

Leadership principles are incorporated into our debate programs. As students begin to research, write, and argue together, they are forced to learn leadership as they simultaneously aid and guide their groups.