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

Rider University

Lawrenceville, NJ
  • 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 »

    Register Now » 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.

Capitol Debate is pleased to offer our one of our most popular debate camps in New Jersey, located at the beautiful 280 acre enclosed Rider University at Lawrenceville Township, just outside of Princeton, New Jersey. Rider University provides students with over 70 choices of undergraduate majors and over 40 graduate-level degree programs in business administration, education, liberal arts, sciences, music, fine and performing arts, counseling, as well as human services and leadership.

Residential campers will be residing in the traditional style dorm rooms at Hill Hall . Both our residential and commuter campers will be enjoying their meals at the Daly Dining Commons with many options to choose from for each meal. Classrooms will be held in Fine Arts building. During the school year, the Fine Arts building hosts their Undergraduate Programs such as Arts Administration, Dance, Music Studies, and Musical Theatre.

Complete Attendee Info
Rider 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.

 
 
 

Rider University Camp Reviews

For the past 2 weeks, I've felt at home. Not only have I learned how to express my opinions without hurting others, but I have gained so many friends through so many great experiences at this camp. I will definitely remember summer 2016 for the rest of my life, it's been great!

Allison Fu
Capitol Debate Student

Capitol Debate has made me think about myself, and what I can change about how I live, and how the others around me see me as a person.

Eric Gu
Capitol Debate Student

This camp was a really good experience. If your wondering if you should sign up or not, you’ll wonder why you questioned signing up after camp is over. These 2 weeks here helped me learn a lot and was overall an excellent camp to go to.

Benjamin Fang
Capitol Debate Student

Capitol Debate made my summer way better than it's been. I loved learning debate with enthusiastic teachers and good friends. I will be back every year and maybe try different locations.

Katie Rector
Capitol Debate Student

Debate camp really changed my life. It turned my endless rambling into quality speech and overall made me just that much better of a person.

Sophia Pan
Capitol Debate Student

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

Vanessa Davis
Capitol Debate Parent

Capitol Debate was my first debate experience and I think it provided a great gateway to my future debate career. The activities were great, the community was great, the material was great, the residential provisions were great, everything was solid in general. 10/10 would go again.

Kevin Wang
Capitol Debate Student

I have improved so much from the beginning of this camp to the end of this camp. As I was talking to my parents on the phone, they too noticed a massive difference. In one of our conversations they asked, "who are you? Its like you're a new person!" This was because after this camp, I was eager to research and learn about many topics.

Alexandra Li
Capitol Debate Student

Capitol Debate is a great program for kids of any skill level, to improve their public speaking, critical thinking, research skills, and their overall confidence. We LOVE Capitol Debate. Attending the Capitol Debate summer camp every year has made such a big difference in Kevin's speaking abilities, confidence, and success at school! Thank you so much! :)

Cora Cushman
Capitol Debate Parent

Capitol Debate Camp has helped me to become a more articulated and confident speaker. It taught me valuable skills that will benefit me throughout further education, and future careers.

Annabelle Pukas
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

  • Chuck McCarthy

    Camp Director

    • Chuck McCarthy has held multiple roles at Wall Hall School in Wall, New Jersey from AP American History Teacher to National Honors Society Faculty Advisor to Social Studies/ROTC Department Chairperson…  Read More »

  • Chuck Nicholas

    Camp Instructor

    • Since 1985 I have coached C-X, LD, PFD, World Schools Debate, Mock Trial and directed over 30 school plays. In 2004 teams, I coached the 8th place PFD team at NSDA Nationals and assisted coaching th…  Read More »

  • Marissa Pena

    Camp Instructor

    • Born & raised in South Texas, Marissa has been teaching high school speech & debate in the Houston area since 2015, specializing in individual events and Congressional Debate. She has coached a 2-time…  Read More »

  • Daniel Austin

    Camp Instructor

    • Daniel Austin is a high school social studies teacher in Piscataway, NJ, where he frequently incorporates debate and public speaking activities into the US History curriculum. A lifelong New Jersey re…  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 »

  • Paul Narey

    Camp Instructor

    • Paul Narey is a debate coach and professor of communications at the University of Wyoming this school year. Before this, he taught debate in Korea and has 8 years of competitive experience in high sch…  Read More »

  • Gail Nicholas

    Camp Instructor

    • Gail Nicholas has coached speech and debate for over 30 years at Bob Jones Academy where she teaches American Government. She is the longest serving National Speech and Debate Association district cha…  Read More »

  • Katelyn Buckley

    Camp Counselor

    • Currently finishing up her senior year at Shrewsbury High School in Massachusetts, Katelyn is fresh out of the high school debate circuit. She has served as Co-Debate Captain for her school’s public…  Read More »

  • Hope Arnold

    Camp Counselor

    • Hope Arnold competed in Public Forum debate both at Howard High School and Capitol Debate in high school. She is the co-founder and former Public Forum captain of Howard High School's Speech and D…  Read More »

  • Nicole Sandoval

    Camp Counselor

    • Currently a freshman at Florida State University, Nicole is majoring in Political Science and is a member of the FSU Speech and Debate team. For all four years of high school, she competed in Public F…  Read More »

  • Josie Higgins

    Camp Counselor

    • While she is a Capitol Debate Camp counselor in the summer, during the year Josie studies secondary English education at the University of Kentucky. She competed in speech all throughout high school a…  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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