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20 Years | 10,000+ Students | US News Top 100 Camps

THE PERFECT START
FOR YOUNG SPEAKERS

Rookie Camp gives your child the gift of confidence through games, mini-debates, and fun activities. Our expert staff makes public speaking exciting for even the youngest learners, building skills that last a lifetime in a supportive, play-based environment.

Kids having fun in speaking circle at Rookie Camp
DESIGNED FOR 8 & 9 YEAR OLDS

THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE LEADERS

Rookie Camp is Capitol Debate's newest program, specially designed for 8 and 9 year old students. While our traditional camps serve ages 10 -17, we recognized that younger children can benefit tremendously from early public speaking training.

This program focuses on building foundational communication skills through play-based learning, ensuring your child develops confidence without pressure. Every activity is age-appropriate and designed to make speaking fun and natural.

By starting young, students gain a critical advantage in school presentations, social situations, and future academic success. Research shows that early public speaking experience creates confident communicators who thrive in all areas of life.

Daily Fun

Speaking Games

  • Interactive activities
  • Make speaking fun
  • Build confidence naturally

Daily Speaking Games

  • Storytelling circles
  • Show and tell adventures
  • Improvisational challenges
  • Voice projection exercises
Learn Logic

Fun Mock Trials

  • Age-appropriate scenarios
  • Learn to argue & persuade
  • Playful legal thinking

Fun Mock Trials

  • Age-appropriate case scenarios
  • Learn to present evidence
  • Practice taking both sides
  • Build logical thinking
Fun Topics

Mini Debates

  • Friendly competition
  • Support your opinions
  • Respectful disagreement

Mini Debates

  • Should kids have longer recess?
  • Best ice cream flavor debates
  • Learn to support opinions
  • Respectful disagreement skills
Big Moment

Capstone Speech

  • Choose your own topic
  • Present to families
  • Celebrate your growth!

Final Speech Showcase

  • Choose your own topic
  • Practice with coaches
  • Present to parents/families
  • Celebrate your growth!
LIFE-CHANGING SKILLS

BENEFITS THAT LAST A LIFETIME

Confidence Building

Your child will learn to speak up in front of others without fear, transforming even shy students into enthusiastic communicators ready to share their ideas with the world.

Organizing Ideas

Through structured activities, students learn how to arrange their thoughts clearly and present them logically, a skill that benefits them in every subject at school.

Working With Others

Collaborative games and partner activities teach teamwork, active listening skills, and respecting different viewpoints while building lasting friendships.

Critical Thinking Skills

Mini-debates and mock trials develop problem-solving abilities and teach kids to think through arguments, question assumptions, and form their own opinions.

Public Speaking Fundamentals

From voice projection to eye contact, students master the basics that will serve them in school presentations, interviews, and every future communication challenge.

Proud young student presenting at Rookie Camp

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Complete program details for Rookie Camp 2026

9-Day Program

A Day at Rookie Camp

Every day is carefully designed to build confidence, skills, and friendships

Schedule
9:30 AM
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
Activities

Morning Warm-Up

Energy games, tongue twisters & team builders

Skill Lesson

Interactive public speaking instruction

Practice & Role Play

Apply skills through fun exercises

Lunch Break

Refuel and recharge with friends

Speech Lab

Work on your showcase speech

Recreation & Games

Active play & outdoor fun

Speaking Exercises

Mini presentations & practice

End of Day

Wrap-up & reflection

Your Two-Week Journey

Week 1 Monday – Thursday
Delivery Skills & Famous Speeches
Day 1 Monday

Confidence & Projection

  • Conquer speaking fears
  • Voice projection techniques
  • "World's Greatest Speaker" exercise
Lab: Explore famous speeches
Day 2 Tuesday

Articulation & Vocal Variety

  • Crystal clear pronunciation
  • Volume, pace, tone & pause
  • Tongue twister Olympics
Lab: Choose & mark up speech
Day 3 Wednesday

Eye Contact & Body Language

  • Connect with your audience
  • Powerful posture & gestures
  • The "Mirror Mirror" exercise
Lab: Full speech practice
Day 4 Thursday

Putting It All Together

Morning: Final rehearsal & polish

Afternoon Showcase

Declamation! Perform a famous historical speech with passion and power!

Amanda Gorman Malala Michelle Yeoh Barack Obama Maya Angelou Greta Thunberg MLK & more!
Week 2 Friday – Thursday (Noon)
Speech Writing & Original Speeches
Day 5 Friday

Find & Focus Your Topic

  • Narrow your topic to be amazing
  • The "Speech Sandwich" structure
  • Intro → Body → Conclusion
Lab: Choose topic & outline
Day 6 Monday

Write Your Speech

  • Craft attention-grabbing openers
  • Build 3 strong main points
  • Hook your audience instantly
Lab: Write introduction & points
Day 7 Tuesday

Supporting Materials & Transitions

  • Add facts, quotes & stories
  • Smooth transition words
  • Make your speech flow
Lab: Beef up your speech
Day 8 Wednesday

Polish & Practice

  • Write powerful conclusions
  • Final speech polish
  • Full dress rehearsal
Lab: Complete rehearsal
Day 9 Thursday

Parent Showcase!

Present your original 2-3 minute informative speech to proud parents and family!

Family Invited! • 12:00 Noon

Celebration & certificates to follow

9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Daily Schedule
9 Days Total Program
8 Lessons Skill Building
2 Showcases Performance Days

GIVE YOUR CHILD THE CAPITOL DEBATE ADVANTAGE

Limited Spots Available - Rookie Camp Fills Quickly

Happy Rookie Camp students
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Expert Staff from Top Programs
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