"The Great Debate!" 1-Week Debate Camp for Rising 5th-8th Graders!

We are beyond excited to launch our 5-day Debate Camp, led by Aaron Trujillo, PhD Candidate at GMU and an Expert Debate Coach! With years of experience coaching students from elementary school to the Master's level, Aaron has helped multiple teams win championships—and now he’s bringing his expertise to Highest Speak to help your child develop confidence, critical thinking, and speaking skills!

✨ No prior debate experience required! Whether your child is brand new to debate and looking to get a taste of it or an experienced debater looking to sharpen their skills, this camp is for everyone. It’s the perfect opportunity to dive into debate and have fun, learn new skills, and build confidence in a high-energy environment.

What makes this camp so special? This 1-week camp is filled with hands-on lessons, fun activities, and friendly competition, ensuring your child develops as a confident, articulate speaker. It’s a great starting point for beginners and perfect practice for experienced debaters. Here’s what we’ll cover each day:

Day 1: What is Debate?
Introduction to debate and its importance
Exploring different debate styles
Fun activities to build a strong foundation

Day 2: Structuring a Strong Argument
How to build a solid argument step-by-step
Crafting claims, evidence, and reasoning
Group activities to practice structuring arguments

Day 3: Crafting a Compelling Speech
Tips and tricks for writing a persuasive speech
Learning how to capture attention and hold an audience’s interest
Practice delivering speeches with confidence

Day 4: Mastering Rebuttals and Questions
Responding to others’ arguments with strong rebuttals
Practicing asking and answering questions like a pro
Group debates with real-time feedback

Day 5: Final Practice & Mini Debate Tournament
Putting everything into action with a mini debate tournament
Individualized feedback to help each student improve
Fun and friendly competition to showcase what they’ve learned

Why Debate is Important for Middle Schoolers:
Debate builds confidence, teaches critical thinking, and helps your child become a persuasive speaker—skills they’ll use in school, social settings, and beyond! Plus, learning how to argue respectfully and thoughtfully is an important life skill. This camp is perfect for both beginners who want to give debate a try and experienced debaters looking to practice in a supportive, energetic environment.

Small Class Sizes = BIG Impact!
To ensure personalized coaching and feedback, class sizes are limited. Your child will receive individual attention from Aaron and other coaches to help them improve every day.

Fun & High-Energy Atmosphere:
Led by Aaron Trujillo, PhD Candidate at GMU and an Expert Debate Coach, our camp is all about having fun while learning! With his expertise and infectious energy, your child will feel excited and motivated every day.

Important Dates:
🗓️ 5 days, 3 hours each day
📍 Location: Reston, VA

Spots are filling up FAST—don’t miss this chance to help your child become a confident, skilled debater in a fun, supportive environment! Secure their spot today!