Updates for 2024 will be posted soon!
Our curriculum includes labs, drills, practice debates, research, and electives. See our curriculum page for more details.
The Debate Intensive Five-Week Intensive – Five weeks of intensive debate instruction. This program combines our comprehensive, three-week core curriculum with two additional weeks at the second camp session. Recommended for the most competitive students and those who wish to move from intermediate to advanced competition within the course of the summer.
The Debate Intensive Core Session – The Core Session is our largest and most popular program. It offers a thorough, comprehensive curriculum for Lincoln-Douglas debaters of all levels. We recommend attending this program if you are only available to attend one session of camp.
The Debate Intensive Second Session – A two-week condensed version of our Core Lincoln-Douglas debate curriculum. This smaller program offers a cozy camp environment and is ideal for LD debaters of all levels who are unable to attend the Core Session.
The LA session will also feature a policy lab designed for beginner and intermediate students. Students who plan to compete in policy debate during the 2022-2023 school year should register for the Second camp session.
The Debate Intensive September-October LD Topic Week – A one-week program for those wishing to get a head start on the September-October topic. Previous experience required.
Read more about our curriculum here.
There is a camp tournament at the end of the Core Session (the end of Week 3 for students enrolled in the Five-Week Intensive). This offers students a chance to practice debating in a tournament setting.
Our refund policy is as follows:
Before March 15, all of your tuition, minus $500 if you paid in full, can be refunded. When you pay, a $500 portion of your tuition is considered a deposit and is never refundable at any time for any reason.
Between March 15 and April 15, up to 50% of your tuition can be refunded.
After April 15, no refunds are accepted.
We offer need-based scholarships for students who would have difficulty financing debate camp without assistance. Our financial aid application is available here.
We accept students entering grades 6 – 12.
For all sessions, students will live in Cal State LA’s traditional-style residence halls. Students will have 1-2 roommates. Rooms are separated by gender. Residents will be provided breakfast in our dorm hall. Lunch and dinner will be provided by university dining hall services.
For residents, breakfast is provided in our dorm hall. Lunch and dinner is provided by university dining hall services. Dining options accommodate various dietary restrictions, including allergies, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and halal food options.
Each day, students will attend lectures and lab, work with mentors, and have practice debates from 9 AM to 8 PM, with breaks for lunch and dinner. An example of a typical weekday at camp might look like this:
8 AM – 9 AM: Breakfast (Residents only)
9 AM – 10:30 AM: Elective lecture
10:30 AM – 12 PM: Lab time
12 PM – 1 PM: Lunch
1 PM – 4 PM: Practice debates
4 PM – 5 PM: Lab time
5 PM – 6 PM: Dinner
6 PM – 8 PM: Lab/Mentor time
More information about camp activities is available here.
On Saturdays, academic activities will start late (at 10:30 AM) and end early.
On Sundays, no academic activities take place.
Transportation information for both sessions can be found here.
In addition to clothing, toiletries, and debate and note-taking supplies, residential students should remember to bring a credit, debit, or pre-paid Visa card to pay for laundry machines, as well as their own linens, as linens are not provided. A full packing list for Residents is available here.
Have more questions? Please feel free to contact us at office@debateintensive.org for more information!