<p>I'm hoping to go to a debate camp over the summer. I'm in Lincoln Douglas and have been considering VBI (Victory Briefs Institute) and NSD (National Symposium Debate). Could anybody provide more details about these two camps? This is my first year debating so I'm still a novice. Also, do these camps only work on spreading (speed reading)? The league that my school is in does not use spreading so it wouldn't really benefit me to learn it at a camp. Thanks and Happy Holidays everybody!</p>
<p>I have heard that George Mason Institute of Forensics is the best.</p>
<p>I both attended VBI as a student and have taught there as an instructor, so I can provide some details. VBI teaches students at all levels of experience, in all aspects of LD, and for success on any circuit. There are excellent labs for students who have only debated for one year, and students are placed in labs based on similar competitive goals. So, if you mostly want to learn skills that will be useful in your league, then you’ll be placed in a lab that emphasizes those skills. VBI has labs at every skill level that are dedicated to more traditional LD, in addition to labs that produce TOC champions. VBI is also well known for providing an extremely welcoming and fun environment. For more info, check out victorybriefs.com or follow Victory Briefs on Facebook. </p>
<p>While George Mason may be an excellent camp for many Forensics events, it doesn’t really focus on LD.</p>
<p>VBI is insanely expensive, try Counterpoint Debate instead (and no I’m not a shill)</p>