Why You Should Attend the Summer Institute
WUDL Board Chair Christine Mahoney speaks at the awards ceremony in 2015. 32 Students attended the 1st Summer Debate Institute.
Families gather for the awards ceremony in 2022, our first fully in-person program in several years. We’ve averaged about 200 students since 2019, regardless of medium.
What makes the Matthew Harris Ornstein Washington Summer Debate Institute the place you should spend part of your summer?
Our students speak for themselves. They haven’t been able to get enough of our summer program. Debate camp gives them a unique space where it is cool to be smart and to meet other driven students who share your passion for the world around us. The large numbers of returning students (and large numbers of alumni on staff) are a testament to how much students have enjoyed themselves.
This is debate camp, so you’ll be speaking and debating every day. Speech re-dos, cross-examination practice, partial and full practice rounds — we do them all, every day of camp, at all levels, and only have lectures when necessary
A coach is only as valuable as their ability to help you, regardless of their own personal accomplishments.
We prioritize debate expertise AND actual teaching experience, and hire many alumni / staff from other urban debate leagues. Previous faculty members have won or coached award winners at every major high school and college competition, including the NDT, CEDA, Baker Cup, TOC, UDNC, NSDA, NCFL, and UDL MS Nationals.
We don’t have large lectures where folks talk at you, we prefer direct engagement and active learning for all participants. All labs have a faculty-student ratio of 8-1 or less;
Win More Trophies. Advance to the Next Division. Join the Travel Team.
Attending the summer institute puts you ahead of the competition, and gets you ready for the first tournament, regardless of where you start. 95% of High School Nationals Qualifiers and 75% of Middle School Nationals Qualifiers attended the previous summer institute.
The issues we debate are the same that are discussed in the halls of power downtown, and we bring those diverse viewpoints and expertise to you. Washington DC is the global center of public policy. With 9 large universities, the world’s leading think tanks and the federal government, we have thought leaders at our doorstep. Past guest speakers have included:
- Members of Congress, the DC Council, and the DC Board of Education
- Congressional Staffers, Lobbyists, Consultants, Journalists, and leaders and staff from federal government agencies.
- Thought leaders and senior scholars from the top think tanks
- Assistant Attorneys General, Judges, and Attorneys from the legal community
- Executives from Fortune 500 Companies
- Community activists and human rights advocates
Competing on the regional level requires dedication, practice, and extra preparation. The Institute will give you a leg up on the competition and have you ready to hit the ground running. Students interested in attending the first travel tournament of the season, Georgetown Day, are expected to attend the summer institute in one of the most advanced labs.
Read the letters from Secretary of State Clinton and former President Obama regarding the Harris Ornstein Summer Debate Institute.
In Their Own Words
"Not coming from the debate world, I had no idea how transformative this experience would be. (My daughter) came home every day so energized and excited about what she learned, and then spent a couple of hours preparing for the next day. She loved the camaraderie and the friendships she made."
Parent, Oyster Adams Bi-lingual Middle School
"You guys helped me learn so much in varsity and clarified everything and were all in all great lab leaders. Can't wait to see you guys in the future thx for everything!!! Couldn't have said it better. I'm gonna miss this lab and our lab leaders, y'all were great....thank you guys for everything that i have learned"
Stephanie & Tremayne, Bowie High School
"My students had a very rewarding experience connecting with other teams, learning the debate strategies and content, and developing personal confidence and self-esteem. The counselors were awesome in their capacities for patience towards the students and knowledge of their task."
Teacher and Debate Parent, Dora Kennedy
"One of the things that I've had problems with before was ADHD and anxiety, which really paused the way I would learn before. But currently, now that I've joined debate, it has helped me construct this image in my mind of what I'm supposed to do and say"
Angel, Capital City PCS
"I’m so glad (my daughter) was able to experience debate camp this summer. She has learned so much and I have learned so much about the topic. Even more important, I learned why this program has so much meaning and why it’s so important. It’s not just academic. It’s social and emotional and has built a beautiful community."
Parent, Inspired Teaching Demonstration School
"A lot of what we learn in school has no real world application and feels like busywork, but in debate you get to learn things about the real world and how express yourself. This is what we should be learning"
Tim, Wise High School