The Power of Debate – Middle School Level (Rising 6th – 9th grade)

Youth Debate League is offering a 1 week summer program for middle school students that will focus both on the style of debate at Houston area middle schools, and the transition to high school debate events.  The main focus of the camp is to teach the fundamentals of debating, focusing on individual workshops that guide students to critical thinking skills for school success.  We will debate practice topics that are more accessible to the typical middle school student in order to increase the educational value of the program.  Students will compete in impromptu event formats, such as impromptu speaking and/or parliamentary debate format, in the latter stages of the camp. Students will walk away with understanding the basics of debate and further development of communication skills, problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and increased self-esteem.