<p>Im an incoming sophomore in high school and Im interested in going to a Lincon-Douglass debate camp over the summer. I live in Texas and Im planning on going to UTNIF but there's only one LD session and if the dates don't work out Im interested in going to another LD camp.
So far I've looked at VBI, SNFI, and NSD. Has anyone ever attended any of these debate camps or any other ones? What did you get out of it? (Im a novice LDer by the way, I usually do VPF at tournaments but next year Im doing LD)</p>
<p>Thank yall soooo much! :)</p>
<p>I know this isn’t the answer you’re looking for, but debate camps aren’t usually worth it for the money you pay to attend.
I’ve never gone, but I’ve talked to many kids who have. They say it’s good if you’re really serious and it helps you get to know some of the other debaters, but it’s not worth the outrageous price tag. They say there’s nothing you can learn there that you can’t learn on your own and by talking with judges, alumni, and friends.
If you can get a scholarship to go or if the camp is really cheap, then I’d say you should go. Also, in the past at state tournament there will be colleges recruiting and debate camps trying to spur interest.</p>
<p>Certainly as a novice (which you cannot compete at that level if you have already qualified for varsity in PF), you should not spend the money on camp. If you are TOC bound, then sure, but otherwise, find something local and affordable and go to that. The summer between soph/jr is the year to spend some money if your record indicates it would be money well spent, otherwise stick with local camps.</p>
<p>My parents were willing to invest in it because my good friend went to UTNIF during the summer before her Freshman year, and she said it helped tons. She went to the Bronx invitational and Harvard as a Freshman, and she said UTNIF really helped her gain experience. I was pretty vague in my thread but my debate coach at my school is a policy and StuCo debater and she really doesn’t help me at all; maybe it would be more beneficial to get a private coach instead. Thank you for answering!</p>
<p>Actually what nervousohio said was completely wrong. There are some camps that are like that but if you find a good one they are SO WORTH the price tag. Saddly I do not have a camp for LD debate I only have one great one for speech. They do debate too but it isn’t all that great as some others but I can send the link if you want me to</p>
<p>ZombieDante,</p>
<p>Could you send me the link for good speech camp? My son loves debate, but I found he speaks very fast, but not very clear. I am not sure who I should ask for helping?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Two things. 1. This thread has been dead for almost 2 months. 2. Why does your son need to attend a camp to improve his speaking skills? There are plenty of other ways for your son to improve his speaking without attending an expensive camp.</p>
<p>^ Addressing the second point: I never went to an expensive debate camp, and I placed top 5 in the state in public forum and am going to nationals in May. It is certainly not necessary to attend a specialized camp.</p>
<p>To help with speaking more clearly, your S should try speaking with a pencil (or something else) is his mouth as he does his speech (obviously not in competition, but to practice with). This is what my S’s coach has the kids do.</p>