The Palo Alto Speech and Debate Camp (PASDC) is a San Francisco Bay Area summer camp offering both a fun and educational experience for middle school and high school students. We are taught by caring, accomplished, and professional members of the national championship Palo Alto High School Speech & Debate team, which is currently ranked in the top 3% of all teams in America. We offer two weeks of camp in two levels (regular and advanced) of both speech and debate.
5.0 Rating from 15+ Reviews"My daughter rated it the best camp she's ever attended. My son, who hates camps, happily attended every day. The counselors are high energy, knowledgeable, and provide a supportive learning environment."
- Parent, Summer 2022 "Exceeded expectations of both my child and me. Very impressive to see results of one-week of camp. Will continue with this camp." - Parent, Summer 2021 |
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Speech & Debate Camp Sessions for Students of All Levels
Advanced Speech (Morning)For returning campers or students with prior experience. Develop sophisticated skills in Impromptu Speaking and Oratory with 1-1 coaching from the most accomplished members of our team.
Regular Speech (Morning)Half-day mornings. Build basic skills and develop confidence in public speaking. Emphasis is on prepared, research-based oration and stylistic and presentation development.
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Advanced Debate (Afternoon)For returning campers or students with prior experience. Build competitive readiness and foundational knowledge in Lincoln Douglas (LD) Debate.
Regular Debate (Afternoon)Learn the fundamental structure of arguments and the methods of competitive debate, focusing on 1-1 debates about current events and controversial issues.
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Learn from Accomplished CounselorsIn addition to their competitive achievements and leadership experiences, our counselors undergo extensive training. Our two Camp Directors and two Assistant Directors review and update our curricula every year, and plan and lead 10+ workshops with our 35+ member staff throughout the season. Mentorship, service, and teaching are core values in our program – our staff want every camper to have fun, but we also want every camper to learn and grow in the activity we love: speech & debate.
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Why attend PASDC?
Public speaking is the #1 fear in America.
Speech and Debate can help students overcome these fears, and can allow those who believe they are confident speakers to improve their argumentation and public speaking abilities. Speech and Debate teaches valuable life skills that are needed to succeed in high school and beyond. Speech and Debate creates well-rounded students who can think and communicate clearly. Here are some specific skills that Speech and Debate can teach your student:
Speech and Debate can help students overcome these fears, and can allow those who believe they are confident speakers to improve their argumentation and public speaking abilities. Speech and Debate teaches valuable life skills that are needed to succeed in high school and beyond. Speech and Debate creates well-rounded students who can think and communicate clearly. Here are some specific skills that Speech and Debate can teach your student:
- Public speaking
- Leadership
- Research and argumentation skills
- Critical thinking
- Expository writing
- Persuasion and diplomacy
Individualized CoachingWe have a 4:1 student-teacher ratio,
providing students with quality and individualized attention. Proven CurriculumOur classes have a tested and successful curriculum geared towards Lincoln Douglas debate so campers finish ready to compete next year.
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Championship FacultyClasses are led by the members of our national championship team which engages younger students.
Basic and Advanced LevelsWe offer both basic and advanced tracks so returning students are challenged.
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From The Program Director & Head CoachMy first job was as a junior counselor at a storied Maine summer camp. Our boss, affectionately nicknamed Coach, described camp as similar to, "a house on the side of the road." He meant that a great camp should welcome anyone, no matter their journey. Camp should be a place to make new friends, an opportunity to learn new things, and a moment to rest & recharge for the road ahead. It's somewhere safe where we always leave in better shape than we arrived. I know first-hand how a week at camp can be transformative in the journey that is growing up. Like Coach, I'm committed to making PASDC, "a house on the side of the road" for all campers.
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Kyle Hietala, Program Director & Head Coach
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