Beginner Debate Lab

Is it right for you?

Students who have zero or minimal (2 or fewer tournament experiences) in policy debate will be pleased with this lab. Instruction begins with key foundational concepts and ends with practice rounds on the NSDA National Topic. Students learn basic affirmative plans, negative strategies, cross-examination techniques, flowing skills, speaker duties and are provided with starter packs of evidence to keep. You will leave camp ready to compete confidently at the novice division of tournaments. Learning is fast-paced, and students should be prepared to attend every day. This is an excellent experience for mature 8th or 9th graders who are considering competing in high school.

What's the plan?

Our goal is for you to leave camp with everything you need to have an outstanding experience in novice debate, so each day will have morning and afternoon sessions that will focus on a specific affirmative or negative strategy, with speaking drills, games and activities designed to reinforce key concepts. We will provide analysis of the National Policy Debate Resolution, and cover foundational structures of Disadvantages, Topicality, Kritiks, and Counterplans. Skills sessions and opportunities for application of cross-examination techniques, flowing, and more will be covered throughout the week. Electives will be offered to help you improve in the areas you need to work on most. Debaters will end the week of camp with practice rounds on the topic with guidance from experienced debaters and personal feedback from judges. Our novices typically have outstanding records at their first tournaments in the Fall.

Beginner Public Speaking and Oral Interpretation Lab

Is it right for you?

Students who have zero or minimal speech and/or performance experience will be pleased with this lab. Instruction begins with key foundational concepts. Our instructors and select varsity competitors model various speaking events and provide support for students who wish to prepare for interscholastic competitions. You will leave camp ready to compete confidently at the novice division of extemporaneous speaking, prose, poetry, or other events offered at high school tournaments. Learning is fast-paced, and students should be prepared to attend every day. This is an excellent experience for mature 8th or 9th graders who are considering competing in high school.

What's the plan?

Our goal is for you to leave camp with everything you need to have an outstanding high school competition experience, so each day will have morning and afternoon sessions that will focus on a specific event, with speaking drills, games and activities designed to reinforce key concepts. Camp will have mini-competitions that simulate the experience of attending an interscholastic competition. Our novices typically have outstanding records at their first tournaments in the Fall.

Varsity Competitor Lab

Is it right for you?

This lab is only open to students who will enroll at Hebron High School for the 2019-20 school year or those with specific approval from the director (solicel@lisd.net.) This is also the Debate Work Week requirement for all Hebron Varsity Debaters and Speakers. This lab is for experienced team members who have completed their novice year of competition and mastered the basics of their event and seek practice rounds with meaningful feedback. Students should have already competed in 3 or more tournaments to be considered for this lab. Students who have done some debating but are facing a sophomore year against many more experienced opponents will find this lab helpful.

What's the plan?

Each day will include activities to prepare experienced Speakers and Debaters for state and national focused competitions. Speakers will work with their event peers to prepare. Each member of this lab is expected to arrive at camp with personal preparation for their event already in progress. All varsity members will assist with summer camp teaching, judging and logistics. Our goal is for you to leave camp ready to have a successful transition to varsity competition.

Technology

Each student will need daily access to a laptop with Word for the duration of the camp. The curriculum will be supplemented with online access to materials, evidence, and other resources.