This programme will feature many of the most successful debaters and coaches from the United states in a coaching capacity, and with a 1:4 staff to student ratio students will get a chance to have in depth conversations with and feedback from these coaches.

As well as practice debates students will benefit from: Lab sessions where they work with a coach in small groups; individual mentoring sessions with coaches and a selection of modules that cover a variety of different topics, both debate skills and background knowledge, which students can choose from.

This year’s US institution is hosted at Swarthmore College Pennsylvania a highly selective liberal arts college in the United States, currently ranked #3 in the nation. Swarthmore’s beautiful campus is located in a very safe town, just 10 miles from Philadelphia and about two hours from New York and Washington D.C.

In association with our partners the National High School Debate League of China, the largest foreign language debate league in the world, we are pleased to offer summer programmes in Beijing and Shanghai which will include students from both international schools and some of the best schools in China. Students will also have the opportunity to experience living in one of China’s most vibrant cities, while staying in world class hotel facilities.

These camps will feature exceptional debaters from across the world coaching the students. Including: representative of our partner organisation the Harvard College Mentors for Urban debate; student debaters from Yale and UPenn; and other debate experts from around the world. Past coaches experience includes US National championships at high school and university level, and successes in international tournaments such as the World Universities Debating championships.

These camps are designed to be accessible to students of all levels, whether they are entirely new to debating or a seasoned veteran. Students will be split into groups based on their ability for the main lectures, which will cover the essential skills of debate, and for the lab sessions, where the students and their debate partners will work with one of our coaches as part of a small group. Lab sessions consist of training exercises selected by the lab leader tailored to that group’s particular needs, as well as the opportunity to work on their cases and receive continuous feedback to help them improve.

There will also be office hours where students can ask questions of, and get personalised feedback from one of the coaches. And elective courses that will cover the skills of debating in even greater depth, as well as a variety of topics vital to understanding the world as it is today.Students will also take part in practice debates against other students, allowing them t build their confidence and hone their skills through competition, and receive detailed and immediate feedback from coaches who will be judging those debates.