Our Lincoln-Douglas Debate intensive camp experience blends practical technique coaching excellent staff with a foundation in philosophy and its application to LD debate. The program helps students construct compelling value-based cases, execute efficient rebuttals, and adapt to a wide range of judge preferences and paradigms.
Students leave camp with sharper logic, clearer frameworks, and the confidence to compete at a high level throughout the season. Being at Stanford University is a dramatic plus, and for many students, Stanford is the first environment where their curiosity feels fully supported. That shift—from “student” to “future scholar”—that comes from being on a truly world class campus, can be transformative.
The institute is divided into three divisions:
(Click below for more information about each division)
- Novice Debate: Students entering their first year of competitive speech.
- Varsity Debate: Students who have competed in individual events for one or more years.
VARSITY DEBATE CURRICULUM
Week 1: Framework & Case Development
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Resolution Analysis & Framing: Students explore philosophical ground, value frameworks, and strategic approaches to the topic.
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Case Construction Intensives: Emphasis on crafting clear contentions, strong warrants, and comparative impacts.
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Evidence Strategy: Instruction on selecting, extending, and comparing evidence effectively in LD rounds.
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Rebuttal Structure: Varsity debaters refine efficient refutation techniques and strategic responses.
Week 2: Strategy, Weighing & Adaptation
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Impact Weighing: Students learn to compare values, impacts, and frameworks to control ballot narratives.
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Judge Adaptation: Adjusting rhetoric, structure, and argument selection based on paradigm differences.
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Theory Basics: Introduction to common theory arguments, strategic use, and effective responses.
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Advanced Rebuttal Strategy: Focus on 1AR efficiency and 2AR crystallization.
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Tournament Simulation: Students compete in a final LD tournament with coach feedback and evaluation.
NOVICE DEBATE CURRICULUM
Week 1: Foundations of LD Debate
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Introduction to LD Format: Understanding speech structure, timing, and judging criteria.
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Values & Criteria Basics: Learning how to build and defend frameworks.
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Introductory Case Writing: Developing clear contentions and logical reasoning.
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Rebuttal Fundamentals: Practicing concise responses and argument extension.
Week 2: Development & Application
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Collapsing & Focus: Learning how to narrow arguments in later speeches.
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Weighing Basics: Introducing comparative evaluation between arguments.
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Practice Rounds & Feedback: Regular rounds with individualized coaching.
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Tournament Simulation: A structured final competition to build confidence and readiness.
o register for Parli Debate:
Camp Category:Competitive Debate
Camp Name: LD Debate
Camp Session:Select your session
Camp Major:Varsity or Novice
Price Option:Extended Day or Overnight
| Program | Grades | Location | Start Date | End Date | Price Options | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LD Debate | 9 - 12 | Stanford University | Jul 19, 2026 | Aug 1, 2026 | Enroll |
Price Options for LD Debate
| Extended Day Camp | $2,585 |
| Overnight Camp | $3,950 |
Sample Schedule Lincoln Douglas Debate |
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|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Breakfast in the dining hall (overnight campers) |
| 8:45-9 am | Extended day camper check-in |
| 9:00 am | Morning Lecture |
| 10:00 am | Morning Lab/Practicum / Practice Rounds |
| 11:30 pm | Lunch in the dining hall (included for all campers) |
| 12:30 pm | Skills Workshops / Afternoon Lab / Practice rounds |
| 5:00 pm | Dinner in the Stanford Dining Hall (included for all campers) |
| 6:30 pm | Office Hours (Wk 1) Lab/Practicum (Wk 2) |
| 6:30 pm | Practice Rounds |
| 8:00 pm | Fun evening activities |
| 9:00 pm | Extended day camper check-out |
| 10:00 pm | Floor check |
| 10:30 pm | Room check |
The LD Coaching Faculty are comprised of national championship caliber coaches who have had significant local, state and national competitive debate experience.