1
Day 1
Welcome and warm-up speaking games. Intro to debate structure. Campers give a short practice speech so coaches can baseline each student.
Summer 2026
Online Debate Summer Camp for Kids in Grades 4-12
A live online debate camp delivered over Zoom. Small groups, expert coaches, and a full week of structured speaking, debating, and feedback - without sending your child across town.
Summer Camp at a Glance
- When
- July and August 2026
- Format
- Live online via Zoom
- Ages
- Grades 4 through 12
- Length
- 1-week and 2-week intensives
- Daily time
- About 1.5 hours per day
- Group size
- Usually 8-12 campers
- Pricing
- $30-50 CAD/hr group rate
- Good for
- First-time debaters and returning DSDC students
What Makes an Online Debate Camp Work
A good debate summer camp is about speaking time, coaching quality, and momentum. DSDC's online camp is designed around those three things. Campers are grouped by grade, each session is led by a real coach, and every day builds on the last so kids leave the week noticeably more confident than they started.
Running the camp online is an advantage, not a compromise. Families avoid the commute and drop-off logistics. Students from Vancouver train alongside peers in Toronto and Calgary. Small groups of 8 to 12 campers get more speaking time than a large in-person program because every student is visible on screen and every student speaks every round.
Parents comparing a debate summer camp against a more generic summer enrichment program usually decide based on what their child actually takes home: a measurable speaking skill, a real debate format, and confidence in front of an audience. DSDC focuses on exactly those outcomes.
A Typical Camp Week at DSDC
Here is what a standard 5-day DSDC debate camp looks like. 2-week intensives follow the same arc but with deeper drills, more formal rounds, and a longer showcase at the end.
2
Day 2
Case-building: how to turn an opinion into a structured argument with claims, reasons, and evidence. Partner drills and feedback.
3
Day 3
Rebuttal and response. Campers learn how to listen to the other side, attack weak arguments, and defend their own.
4
Day 4
Mini practice round. A low-pressure debate in small groups, with coach notes and constructive written feedback afterward.
5
Day 5
Showcase debate. A full practice round at the end of the week, with improvement visible compared to Day 1. Final feedback and next-step recommendations.
Age Groups and Camp Tracks
Elementary Camp (Grades 4-6)
The starting point for younger campers. Playful warm-ups, short speeches, and beginner-friendly debate motions. Perfect for first-time speakers and shy kids who need a gentle introduction.
Junior Camp (Grades 7-9)
Middle school students move faster. Real case structures, rebuttal drills, and introductory tournament-format debates. A great week for students thinking about joining a school debate team in the fall.
Senior Camp (Grades 10-12)
High school students train in CNDF or British Parliamentary format, run full practice rounds, and get direct preparation for fall tournaments. A strong summer option for students applying to university.
Pricing and Registration
DSDC summer camps follow our standard group rate of $30-50 CAD per hour. Because camps are multi-session intensives, families usually register for a full 1-week or 2-week block at once. The exact rate depends on the camp track and length - all pricing is published transparently before you commit.
Spots in each cohort are limited to around 8 to 12 campers so every student gets speaking time and coach attention. Popular weeks fill quickly, especially the mid-July and early August sessions, so reserving early is the best way to lock in the age band you want.
See our pricing page for current rates, or book a free consultation to check which camp weeks still have space for your child's grade level.
Debate Summer Camp FAQ
What is DSDC's online debate summer camp?+
DSDC's online debate summer camp is a live Zoom program that runs during July and August. Students train in debate fundamentals, practice rounds, and speaking skills across 1 to 2 week intensives. It is a faster-paced version of our regular online debate classes, designed for summer.
What age group is the camp for?+
Students in Grades 4 to 12 can join. We split campers by grade band: Elementary (Grades 4-6), Junior (Grades 7-9), and Senior (Grades 10-12). Each cohort has age-appropriate pacing and content.
Do students need debate experience?+
No. Summer camp is a great starting point for first-time debaters. Our Novice track is built for complete beginners, and coaches adapt to each student's experience level.
How much does the debate summer camp cost?+
Summer camp pricing is in line with our regular group class pricing of $30-50 CAD per hour. Full 1-week and 2-week intensives include a fixed number of sessions. See our pricing page for the current summer rate.
When does debate summer camp run?+
Camps run from early July through late August. Multiple cohorts are offered across the summer so families can pick a week that works with their vacation plans.
How is summer camp different from a regular debate class?+
A regular class runs once a week during the school year. Summer camp is compressed: students attend multiple sessions per week, work through a curriculum at a faster pace, and finish with a showcase debate or final practice round. It is a quick way to build confidence and skills without a full-year commitment.
Is the camp fully online?+
Yes. All camp sessions are live over Zoom, just like our regular classes. Students can attend from anywhere in Canada or internationally.
Ready to book a summer camp week?
Reserve a spot before the summer cohort fills. Free 15-minute consultation to confirm the right age group and week for your child.