The Speech Summer Think Tank

The Summer Think Tank is an immersive, practice-driven training experience for students serious about competitive speech and debate. Hosted on top university campuses, our programs combine nationally ranked coaching, individualized instruction, and structured application so students don’t just learn concepts — they master skills they can execute in competition.

Our coaches are active leaders in their events and understand what judges are rewardingright now. Through daily labs, drills, and live performance opportunities, students receive constant feedback and measurable benchmarks for growth. The result: confident competitors who leave camp prepared to succeed throughout the season.

Students will have the opportunity to select one of three majors to focus on during camp:

Interpretive Events, which include Duo Interp,(Both Students Must Be Present), Humorous Interp, Dramatic Interp, Programmed Oral Interp, Prose/Poetry. You will learn how to choose material, learn the magic of cutting a play to 10 minutes, learn character voices, character positions, learn how to reveal subtext and objectives. You will walk away with a variety of interpretive techniques to take with you so that you can practice at home.

Platform and Writing Events, which include Original Oratory, Original Advocacy, Expository/Informative. Students will be guided through the entire writing journey from choosing, clarifying and perfecting a topic, where and how to research, drafting a speech (Problem/Cause/Solution), practicing and learning the magic of delivery. You will have hands-on help from start to finish.

Limited Prep Events, include Extemporaneous Speaking and Impromptu. Here you will focus on speech prep, outlining a winning speech, research, structure, cause and effect, and learning techniques that will improve your overall public speaking in rounds.

All Competitive Individual Events Summer Sessions include:

• All Lectures/Seminars given by National Champion Coaches
• Small class sizes.
• Work one on one with National Champion Coaches
• Meet like-minded, motivated students
• Work on a major event and have the choice of a minor event
• Finish the institute with a competition-ready individual event
• Guaranteed catch-up, private coaching session during the upcoming competition season
• A final camp speech tournament
  
• A competitive speech packet with 100’s of tools and exercises so you can practice all year

The Speech Summer Think Tank Programs