Read testimonials from our 2024 campers:

 

CDC is more than just a debate camp. Through the five pillars that Peter teaches us, we learn a lot more about self-growth and building character. CDC honors victory, but not when it comes without virtue. This elevated the debate experience for every student.

Avery Johnson, Hickman High School, Missouri

 

CDC is such a great opportunity to meet like minded people and learn a lot about debate. All of the different opportunities and the freedom at this camp are unmatched. I learned a lot about eloquence, and how to speak properly and professionally. This has been my favorite summer camp I’ve ever had.

Benjamin Kurian, Olentangy Liberty High School, Ohio

 

CDC is the best foundation for debate that I could’ve asked for. 10/10 would recommend!

Advik Behera, Dublin Jerome High School, Ohio

 

Classic Debate Camp really helps to develop good debate skills while also having fun simultaneously. Most of the counselors are fairly young, so it's easier to bond with them while still remaining professional. Similarly, many of the counselors were in high school debate only a few years prior, so they can accurately prepare you for the season. CDC also has lots of opportunities to get to know other campers with various activities after dinner and lab. CDC administrators are some of the most caring people you will ever meet. CDC has taught me so much, and I would recommend the camp to anyone who wanted to work on their debate skills. 

Annalise Hardern, Oakwood High School, Ohio

 

Classic Debate Camp will never fail to make you grow: both as a person and as a debater.

Anshul Sharma, University School, Ohio

 

Every single lesson we did every day was extremely helpful. The criticism I received after every speech I gave was extremely helpful. I loved my experience at cdc.

Maadhav Puvvada, Dublin Jerome High School, Ohio

 

I came to CDC terrified of debate, slightly traumatized, and thinking I was horrible at public speaking. I now feel confident, excited for the coming debate season, and totally addicted to debate!!!

Beau Combopiano, Green Level High School, North Carolina

 

I had a great experience at CDC this year. It was very helpful to learn some things that I didn’t know, even after a year of debate. I enjoyed bonding with my lab and getting to hear different perspectives from the staff. The instructors were very relatable and had lots of knowledge to share. I would recommend CDC to any debater, regardless of experience or skill level.

Ben Sayer, Oakwood High School, Ohio
 

I learned so much in this week. I was able to really improve on my speech, card writing, and argument skills. I really liked office hours and house meetings and lab. I was able to work with a lot of amazing instructors and also people of the higher labs.

Rosalyn Ma, George School, Pennsylvania

 

I loved attending CDC and gained so much out of all my instructors who were so knowledgeable and kind!

Mallory Kavanagh, Mentor High School, Ohio

 

I think the feedback from the instructors after drills and practice rounds was the most valuable because it helped me address specific issues in my speeches.

Franklyn Yang, Ladue Horton Watkins High School, Missouri

 

I think the lab aspect was very helpful, as well as division meetings. This was because lab helped me to develop along with other debaters at my level while division allowed me to learn from those above. The feedback I received during both was extremely effective. The electives also helped me to improve on specific skills.

Amelia Butler, Oakwood High School, Ohio

 

I thought the individual instruction we received was extremely helpful. Running drills during free time or office hours with instructors allowed me to improve my efficiency and rhetoric.

Bohan Pan, Ladue Horton Watkins High School, Missouri

 

Allie was by far the best instructor I've ever had. She was so helpful and motivating. I seriously cannot explain enough how helpful she was to my growth as a debater. When I was feeling down on myself, she pulled me aside, told me what I'm good at, and made sure I knew I could win.

Chris Rhodes, New Philadelphia High School, Ohio

 

In my opinion, you will naturally improve in debate from year to year. However, being able to do practice rounds and get feedback expedites the experience exponentially. Additionally, the connections that we made as pf as a whole and as a lab will stick with me forever.

Takumi Wetherell, Parker School, Hawaii

 

Office hours were extremely helpful to me because as a novice I wasn’t sure how to format things or create good arguments, but having the extra help during office hours really helped me write cases that I ended up being happy with.

Sophie Wang, Dublin Jerome High School, Ohio

 

The camp tournament was very fun for me, especially with the emphasis on good sportsmanship. I think that really changed the feel after debates.

Izayah Christopher, Battle High School, Missouri

 

The drills were super helpful because they helped me understand what I was previously doing wrong. 

Aleka Dodla, Laurel School, Ohio

 

The electives and lab sessions helped me the most in the development of my debating. I was able to practice debating, recognize issues, and get valuable feedback from my instructors on how to improve.

Oscar Amos, Parker School, Hawaii

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The most helpful part of camp for me (outside of labs) was the house meetings. They helped me by letting me learn from people much more experienced than me.

Neil Gera, Mason High School, Ohio

 

The open, conversational lectures combined with practice really helped me to be able to use new strategies, skills, and techniques. This holistic approach helped me to keep all the information I needed in my head. Discussion was always welcome in lab, and we had such a blast while still actually getting work done and learning a lot.

David Rivera-Velez, Hickman High School, Ohio

 

What had the largest impact on me was office hours - specifically spending time with Tarika, Elandrea, and Rich. I felt this 1 on 1 coaching truly met me where I was at, and helped me with my arguments.

Will McClimon, New Albany High School, Ohio​​​