Who are you as an organization?
Debate Camp inspires youth to confidently speak, debate and think on their feet! We open up minds to the wider world and help youth engage in constructive dialogue, debate and traditional camp fun! Core program in parliamentary debate; workshops in public speaking and a 1 day Model UN. Appropriate for grades 5 through 10 - all levels welcome! Enrich your summer with us!
What do you do differently or uniquely well?
"We believe that "camp" creates a novel and secure learning environment in which campers feel safe to try new skills, think on their feet, see the opposing view, and to trust their teammates. Campers repeatedly inform us of how successful their academic experiences are - after Debate Camp, largely because they felt emboldened and confident in their ability to engage in discourse on subjects they felt unsure about only weeks previous. " I learned so much" is the most consistent feedback we get. "
Who are your staff and counsellors?
"Debate Camp Program Staff are the centrally important teachers and program providers at camp. They are experienced debaters and accomplished or inspiring speakers. They are good with young people. They know how to take the higher-order skills of debate analysis, case construction, and critical thinking and break it down into lessons suited to the many age groups and ability levels at Debate Camp. Program Staff are team players, who work hard to ensure campers experience a safe, well-supported, well-supervised and well-executed program for each day of camp."
What do families need to know about registration?
"Debate Camp opens registration in Canada and United States, for in-person camps on November 1st each year. Early Bird rates tier 1 are on until January 31st and Early Bird rates tier 2 are on until February 28th. Inquiry forms exist on our sites and families can submit their questions before signing up - - we aim for turn around on questions within 1 business day. Transportation options are also linked for each camp / camp location."
Debate Camp is re-opening of several of our Day and Overnight Camps in June, July and August 2022. We will open day and overnight camps similar to summers' 2002 - 2019, albeit with limited enrollment to ensure we comply with the highest standards of camper safety in these times. Our policy for 2022 is outlined on: https://www.debatecamp.com/health
We are in consultation with Canadian and American recreational children's camping authorities, partner schools and government guidelines as part of our Health Partnership Plan for the safe operation of in-person camps in 2022
View recent COVID-19 updates from Debate CampChoose the right programs and sessions for your child; Debate Camp currently has 8 programs available.
Ages: 10 - 17
Day Camp
(Coed)
Debate, Education (multi)
$455 to $595
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Ages: 10 - 15
Day Camp
(Coed)
Debate, Education (multi)
$575 to $595
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Ages: 10 - 15
Day Camp
(Coed)
Debate, Education (multi)
$575 to $595
|
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Ages: 12 - 17
Overnight Camp
(Coed)
Debate, Education (multi)
$2,043 to $2,463
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Ages: 10 - 15
Day Camp
(Coed)
Debate, Education (multi)
$575 to $595
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ages: 12 - 17
Overnight Camp
(Coed)
Debate, Education (multi)
$2,043 to $2,463
|
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Ages: 10 - 15
Day Camp
(Coed)
Debate, Education (multi)
$575 to $595
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ages: 12 - 17
Overnight Camp
(Coed)
Debate, Education (multi)
$2,043 to $2,463
|
Payment Options:
Deposit required with acceptance | Yes |
Credit card payment | Yes |
Discounts
Discount for 2nd child | 10% |
Nick Szymanis founded Debate Camp Canada after having achieved a long and impressive career in private schooling. He held teaching and leadership positions at Havergal, Crofton House, and was director of academics at Sterling Hall. Director Oona Craig has a CV that is similarly impressive. In all, this is an academic camp that is placed very firmly on a foundation of academic experience and expertise. It’s not a traditional camp, of course, perhaps particularly because it’s not about providing a wide breadth of experiences, but rather an intensive focus on one: debating. That said, there is more breadth here than you might assume. Debate is a tool, like any camp activity, to get at other things, including confidence, resilience, skill development, and effective collaboration. The kids that attend find themselves in a group of peers that share their interests as well as their academic disposition, and many come away—as with any camp—with friends and memories for life.
Visit camp's websiteThree Things: Debate Camp
Hear the three things that Our Kids’ editors see when they look at Debate Camp
My daughter came to camp w/ an expressive communication disorder, and was encouraged to participate fully in all of the debates and activities-but was not pressured in a way that made her feel frustrated or discouraged. We... Read More
My son had an amazing week! Staff ratio to campers was ideal. Staff made the camp educational yet fun at the same time. My son returned each and every day talking about all the debates, all the arguments for /against, and ... Read More
My daughter found your camp on a web search herself. She asked me to enrol her in the camp. I wasn't thrilled about the particular week in the summer, as it impacted our ability to schedule other 2 week camps. However, she... Read More
Location | Address | Pick up | Drop off |
WHOLE FOODS - Square One | 155 Square One Drive, Mississauga, ON, Canada | 8:00 am | 4:45 pm |
Location | Address | Pick up | Drop off |
YORK CINEMAS PARKING LOT | 165 East Beaver Creek Road, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada | 8:00 am | 4:45 pm |
Location | Address | Pick up | Drop off |
AY JACKSON SECONDARY SCHOOL | 150 Abbeyhill Drive, Kanata, ON, Canada | 8:00 am | 4:45 pm |
Location | Address | Pick up | Drop off |
RICHMOND SECONDARY SCHOOL | 7171 Minoru Boulevard, Richmond, BC, Canada | 8:00 am | 4:30 pm |
Sleeping Accommodations
Washrooms Facilities
More details about accommodations: Debate Camp operates at CAIS accredited Independent Schools across Canada and follows ACA and state regulations in the United States.
Is Debate Camp technology free? Debate Camp permits campers to use and keep their phone for the duration of Debate Camp. We do however sometimes request, that they be turned over or off when seen to be a distraction to the session underway
Sports facilities
Landscape
More details about property: Debate Camps are located at independent school and / or university campus locations conducive to a well rounded, safe, indoor / outdoor program for youth.
Offers outdoor education program for schools or corporate groups: Yes
We offer educational programming in-person and online for school groups looking to start a debate enrichment program.
Nick Szymanis, Director
BA, MA, B Ed
Debate Camp creates a learning experience that is safe, welcoming, fun, and intellectually-engaging. Our program is meant to appeal to all ability levels, from the reluctant speaker to the already-accomplished debater. This year we are proud to be celebrating our 20th summer at Debate Camp.
We believe that learning is best served by engaging students in an academic experience, while at the same time ensuring they feel empowered to take risks.
We believe that "camp" creates a novel and secure learning environment in which campers feel safe to try new skills, think on their feet, see the opposing view, and to trust their teammates.
We feel that debating is not an elite skill for competition purposes only. We believe that to have advocacy skills, an ability with rhetoric, an ability to effectively organize one's thoughts, an ability to listen and be heard and to honour one's opponents with effective points and counter-points, are skills that all kids should try. We believe these are empowering skills that are highly relevant to life long learning.
Campers repeatedly inform us of how successful their academic experiences are - after Debate Camp, largely because they felt emboldened and confident in their ability to engage in discourse on subjects they felt unsure about only weeks previous. " I learned so much" is the most consistent feedback we get.
Moreover, we remain about training in the area of verbal advocacy; to stand, speak and be heard - an area requiring continued attention at a time when digital means provide so many alternatives to this. In the generation of the smart phone, of potentially less human-to-human conversation over substantial matters, what we teach is even more coveted...
Education has forever operated on a belief in the skills, ability and good intention of the future generation. Debate Camp is honoured to be invested in this work
More info on myself, my team and our great little camp - visit: www.debatecamp.com
May 2, 2022
DEBATE CAMP IS COMING TO PORTLAND, MAINE!
Debate Camp is coming to Portland, Maine - brand new location at the Waynflete School! ... Read More
November 17, 2016
Time to keep talking
Advice on speaking with kids in a troubled world.... Read More
December 2, 2015
Giving Kids the Edge: The Valuable Skill of Debating
Giving Kids the Edge: The Valuable Skill of Debating
Debating helps kids retain 90% of what they learn
By Nick Szymanis... Read More
Debate Camp Canada has trained hundreds of eager speakers since it's start-up in the summer of 2002. Our camps have served the debate and public speaking communities in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. The new location of our residential camp, at Ridley College in St. Catharines, Ontario will serve our camper families well in location and in the beautiful campus we will be housed. In 2022 we have reopened day camps in King City and Calgary, locations closed since pre-2020. Many debate and public speaking tournaments both in Canada and abroad, boast the participation of multiple debate campers from past summers - many of which have returned in the ranks of staff once actively competing at the university level. Our best stories certainly involve those campers who came to us, hesitant and often shy about public speaking and graduated after a few summers, with renewed self-confidence in a polished set of abilities that in some cases reaped rewards in tournaments or even just their own school's academic program. Moreover, everyone certainly had fun in the learning process. Join us in continuing this fine tradition.
Does Debate Camp have good reviews?
We interviewed families about their experience with Debate Camp. Watch the video here. You can also read 19 reviews of Debate Camp from past attendees.
What types of programs does Debate Camp offer?
Debate Camp runs: day camps, overnight camps. Programming specializes in: Debate, Education (multi). Browse the program calendar for rates and dates.
What age does Debate Camp start?
Debate Camp has programs for children aged 10 to 16.
How much does is cost to attend Debate Camp?
Fees to attend Debate Camp range from $495 to $595/week.
Does Debate Camp offer support for children with special needs?
Debate Camp does not offer support for children with special needs.
Does Debate Camp offer busing?
No, Debate Camp does not offer transportation.
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Our Kids: The Trusted Source for Families since 1998. |
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Our Kids: The Trusted Source for Families since 1998. |
Questions about Debate Camp?