We're committed to enriching student's lives, today and every day.

Our robust online learning experiences have been extended right now and throughout the summer. We're committed to adapting to provide programming that can get your students on the road to success today.

Virtual Public Speaking & Debate Camps
Peace-of-Mind Policy

American University

Washington, DC
  • Public Speaking and Debate Camp
    July 26 to August 6, 2020
    Price starting at: $3099*

    • At our Public Speaking and Debate Camp level, middle school and high school students will learn the fundamentals of public speaking and argumentation, enabling them to develop core presentation and debating skills that boost confidence and self-esteem. Students at the Public Speaking and Debate Camp level will work on effective public speaking and argumentation, allowing them to further advance their presentation and debate skills to prepare them for the real world. The camp offers students the chance to improve their communication skills in a safe and secure environment while having fun! Complete description »

    Postponed to 2021 Request Information »

*Cost covers tuition, room, and board;however, the commuter option does not include breakfast. Additionally, the cost excludes $75 charge assessed for safety regulations, local and federal governmental compliance. Please note that all program prices are subject to change without notice.

Group rates available for community, church, international and school groups. Contact us at (800) 450-5012 for more information.

American University is a private research university in Washington, D.C., United States. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on February 24, 1893 as 'The American University' when the bill was approved by President Benjamin Harrison. The university is currently ranked 8th in the world for its graduate programs and 9th in the world for its undergraduate program in International Affairs by Foreign Policy, and the Washington College of Law.

Dorms: Our campers will be housed in Letts Hall. Letts Hall has a traditional residence hall design with corridor-style rooms and shared hall bathrooms on the north and south sides of the building. It is secured 24 hours a day via swipe cards.Each floor community has a central lounge space with a kitchen, lounge furniture, and television for us to host residential life activities. Each floor has a study lounge used as a study location or a meeting space, as well as a laundry room. The Sky Lounge is a entertainment and programming space praised for its views of the city.
Dining: Students are going to have an authentic university dining experience at the Terrace Dining Room. Terrace Dining Room features a host of local sustainable entrees, international cuisine and home-style entrees.

Complete Attendee Info
American University Summer Camp Video
 
 
 

See for Yourself the Impact of Our Summer Camps!

Not only will Capitol Debate students learn new skills through our programs; they will feel an increase in self-worth, learn critical thinking skills and improve public speaking and communication skills with their peers. Two weeks at camp will result in lifelong friendships and memories that will resonate with our students throughout their academic, personal and professional careers. Campers return to our program year after year because of how life-changing our Summer Debate Camps prove to be. Our parents will tell you themselves that they proudly stand by their investment in Capitol Debate because of the impact it has had on their families.

 
 
 

American University Camp Reviews

They bring their communication and research skills from the camp back to their classroom and school. The debate program has transformed their leadership skills that they are able to step into leadership roles at their schools with confidence. They lead the swim team and debate group and help other students at their high schools. I am very satisfied. I continue to send them back to the debate camp year after year and will also send two more of my children when they are old enough. I highly recommend this program to parents who are considering sending their kids in the future.

Becky Hoang
Capitol Debate Parent

Allowing your child to attend this camp is life changing in a very good way!

Vanessa Davis
Capitol Debate Parent

I came, not a very good speaker but with the help of my instructors and newly made friends, i learned to become more confident speaking in front of others.

Faith Chen
Capitol Debate Student

My daughter had a blast! She loves debate, so having an opportunity to have a ton of fun while learning more about debate was a perfect combination. Staying on campus was a great experience for her. She matured even more in those 2 weeks. She seemed like a true college student when we picked her up.

Tina Grimes
Capitol Debate Parent

Camp was really fun and the instructors taught us a lot about debate and how we can be more persuasive!

Juno Yoon
Capitol Debate Student

We have two boys who attended camp for several years and have not only had a blast but come home each time as better men. They are growing up before our eyes and have gained confidence, independence, communication & writing skills and a love for debating. They work hard & play hard. They have lots of freedom in a safe environment and have maintained several friendships outside of camp. The various extracurricular activities (sports, movies and field trips) make for a nice balance & provided them with the break they needed.

Colleen Bates
Capitol Debate Parent

I had never considered myself to be able to become good at public speaking, but I think that I've improved a lot here. I've made lots of new friends, and I'm amazed on how close we all got and how much I'll miss them all. Also, the staff is amazing!

Natalie Sun
Capitol Debate Student

It is not the subject of the camp, but the people who make it up. It is not how we change the camp that makes it better, but how the camp changes us. It is not one side, but a symbiosis of student and staff that is optimally shown at Capitol Debate. Thank you, Rider 2017, for how you changed me.

Jack Fan
Capitol Debate Student

Capitol Debate changed my life! I learned so much about debate and met many new friends! It was the greatest camp ever!

Daniel Hong
Capitol Debate Student

Over the past two years, the highlight of my summers have been Capitol Debate camps. These camps provide such an enjoyable learning opportunity as well as lifelong friendships and incredible instructors. These two weeks flew by, and I am looking forward to next time!

Allison Fu
Capitol Debate Student

Activities & Schedule

Capitol Debate is the nation's leading expert in teaching communication skills to middle school and high school students. Our nationally recognized staff has hundreds of years of pedagogical experience in helping youth find their voice. Thousands of shy students have walked through our doors in our nearly 20 years of summer camps to become confident young adults and leaders in their community.

Typical daily Schedule

  • 7:30 a.m. - Rise and shine!
  • 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast
  • 8:30 a.m. - Commuter check in
  • 8:45 a.m. - Morning announcements
  • 9:00 a.m. - Leadership exercise
  • 9:30 a.m. - Morning lesson
  • 10:30 a.m. - Small group exercises
  • 11:30 a.m. - Get up and speak
  • 12:00 p.m. - Lunch
  • 1:00 p.m. - Hands-on class time
  • 2:30 p.m. - Team building exercises
  • 3:30 p.m. - Practice
  • 5:00 p.m. - Dinner
  • 6:00 p.m. - Study Hall
  • 7:00 p.m. - Commuter check out
  • 7:00 p.m. - Recreational activities
  • 9:00 p.m. - Residential unwind hour
  • 10:00 p.m. - Room check and curfew

Activities outside of the classroom include:

  • Field trip
  • Talent show
  • Spa night
  • Movie night
  • Field Day
  • Karaoke night
  • Leadership Activities
  • Team building exercises

The Capitol Advantage

Expert Staff

We have a group of accomplished educators who have taught and competed for years. Our instructors are on the leading edge of debating & public speaking. Click here to view our full staff listing.

Top of the Line Curriculum

Our programs draw students from around the world because we focus on our resources year round to ensure that we can bring the best information to our students. Our curriculum focuses on theory and application to provide results that you will be able to see as they become better, more confident speakers.

Convenient Locations

Capitol Debate’s academic summer camps are spread across the United States, from East to West as well as internationally. With such a large number of location available you're bound to find the perfect camp location for you.

  • Low faculty to student ratio – Capitol Debate firmly believes in individualized instruction, which can only happen with small class sizes.
  • Personalized Instruction – Capitol Debate instructors give students hands-on instruction with researching, writing, speaking and organizing. After practice debates, instructors give students lengthy feedback to help them improve their skills.
  • Senior faculty oversee all classes – Unlike other debate camps, Capitol Debate’s instructors have an average of 15 to 30 years of pedagogical experience in the classroom. Many have coached national champions!
  • Practice, Practice, Practice – We make sure students are not just sitting in lectures, but instead are getting up and speaking every day and applying the lessons learned in a small group setting.

Expert Staff

  • Terri Robinson

    Camp Director

    • Terri Robinson has been with Capitol Debate for 3 years, since 2016. She formally taught at East View High School in Georgetown, Texas where she has been actively involved in the speech & debate commu…  Read More »

  • Josie Banks

    Camp Life and Wellness Coordinator

    • Though Josie Banks competed in Public Forum Debate, her background is primarily on the public speaking side of the activity. She participated in multiple Modern Woodman Speech contests throughout her …  Read More »

  • Jay Rye

    Camp Instructor

    • Jay Rye has been involved with Speech & Debate since 1985 as a high school competitor, collegiate competitor, and since 1991 as a coach in Alabama. He has coached over 150 students to the NSDA Nationa…  Read More »

  • Olivia Sailors

    Camp Instructor

    • Olivia Sailors competed in Policy Debate and Forensics for three years in high school in Kansas. Her greatest accomplishments are qualifying for state all 3 years in debate and forensics and qualifyin…  Read More »

  • Debby Haren

    Camp Instructor

    • Debby Haren is an experienced teacher and debate coach. She loves working at summer debate camps because it gives her a chance to do what inspires her most: work with students who have a sincere desir…  Read More »

  • Ryley Hartwig

    Camp Instructor

    • Ryley Hartwig is finishing his second year at Florida State University, majoring in Political Science. When in high school, Ryley competed for American Heritage School for 3 years in Public Forum Deba…  Read More »

  • Josh Schulster

    Camp Instructor

    • Josh Schulster spent four years debating with Boca High and quickly developed a passion for Public Forum debate. As a sophomore, Josh was the captain of the Public Forum division and has mentored youn…  Read More »

  • Brandon Lee

    Camp Counselor

    • Brandon is a senior at Suncoast Community High School dual-enrolled in the MSE and IB Diploma program. As a middle school debate coach and Mathnasium instructor, he enjoys working with children and he…  Read More »

  • Sal Sandoval

    Camp Counselor

    • Sal Sandoval competed in Public Forum for four years at Cypress Woods High School in Houston, Texas. While at CWHS, Sal served as an officer on his team both his junior and senior year and was also th…  Read More »

  • Colleen Phan

    Camp Counselor

    • Colleen has four years of speech experience. She has competed in Informative Speaking, Impromptu, and Expository. In 2019, she was a semifinalist at the National Speech and Debate Tournament. She is c…  Read More »

  • Sidra Hussain

    Camp Counselor

    • Sidra Hussain competed on her Public Forum Debate Team throughout her four years at Great Neck South High School. During her junior and senior years, she served as the team captain. At National Debate…  Read More »

  • Amelia Peck

    Administrative Camp Counselor

    • Amelia Peck is currently an instructor for Capitol Debate's Club League. She has competitively debated for six years and was a part of Capitol Debate's Public Forum travel team for three years…  Read More »

  • Kendall Reid

    Camp Facilitator

    • Kendall Reid graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Behavior. She has a passion for helping children and teenagers grow and become the bes…  Read More »

Please note that all payments are nonrefundable. Should cancellation be necessary, full credit will be provided up to 1 year from the date of the event, if written notice of cancellation is provided prior to May 1st for camps and at least two weeks for other programs. Any add-ons, tournament or fees paid cannot be refunded and are non-transferrable. Summer camp cancellations received after May 1st or programs cancellations after two weeks prior to program starting must also be made in writing and will follow the cancellation credit timetables. For more details please visit our Terms, Policies, and Conditions page.

About Capitol Debate

Our Summer Camp and Year-round programs have helped build students’ communication and critical thinking skills, thus leading to better academic performance at school. The curricula of Capitol Debate debate camps is aimed to equip children with the ability to structure arguments, prepare debate cases, research evidence, write rebuttal briefs, deliver speeches and refute opponents. Students become prepared to give outstanding speeches in class, perform in a school debate or join their high school debate teams, Model United Nations teams or speech teams. Learn more »

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