"The past two summers I've spent have been incredibly informative, challenging, and fun. It was an honor to work with many of the top debate coaches and debaters in the country. Every single lab leader was excellent at offering in-depth feedback, useful insight both about debate generally and about the topic, and at creating an enjoyable lab experience. Lab leaders made themselves available to listen to speech redos, answer questions, and provide feedback and guidance over research. Their commitment to helping each debater improve was inspiring and I feel incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them. Both the camp-wide and lab-specific lectures were in-depth and I was constantly learning new information. Debaters have many practice debate opportunities over the course of the camp. These debates are highly challenging and competitive and debaters have access to excellent feedback afterward. Being surrounded by motivated and hard-working debaters pushed me to work as hard as possible as well. My experiences at seven-week have helped me become a better debater and I cannot wait to return next year. I cannot recommend it highly enough to any debater interested."
- Eleanor Barrett, Liberal Arts and Science Academy (TX), 10/9/2021, ()
"The seven-week debate program at the University of Michigan has been indispensable to my growth and success as a high school debater because of the unparalleled resources it offers. The staff provided detailed and comprehensive lectures on core topic controversies and debate theory combined with student discussion. Furthermore, the program offered live lectures from well-regarded topic experts from various academic and scientific institutions on a litany of areas, which allowed me to learn from researchers and experience an academic discussion. With the knowledge gained from topic lectures, I could translate that into evidence with support from my lab leaders and access to the University of Michigan Library’s databases and staff. Most importantly, confidence was instilled in me through a rigorous series of practice debates, combining the research and lecture components of the camp. While I was unable to be in Ann Arbor, the program maintained a talented set of lab leaders that hailed from across the country, offering diversity in thought, personality, and debate background, which allows anyone to find what they are looking for, whether beginner or champion. I am so grateful for the expertise and experience the seven-week debate camp at the University of Michigan provided me. I would highly recommend it to all debaters."
- Sohan Bellam, Glenbrook North High School (IL), 10/9/2021, ()
"The seven weeks that I spent at the UM debate camp this past summer were the most rewarding experience of my debate career. The combination of incredibly knowledgeable lab leaders who consistently made themselves available to me (even despite the online nature of the camp), and my labmates who were genuinely interested in growing together was invaluable. It created a supportive environment where I wasn't afraid to ask a question or be wrong. I would recommend the seven week program to any debater looking to develop their skill at the game while also making friendships with talented debaters from all over the country. The preparation I received in the form of lectures, drills and practice debates left me feeling confident and prepared for the challenges the new season would bring."
- Sheima Ben-Abdallah, Leon M. Goldstein High School (NY), 10/14/2021, ()
"Many people question whether online debate camp will be any fun. As someone who has attended the 7-week program twice, I can confidently say the Michigan debate camp certainly is. The campus is beautiful, but the program itself is far more special. The debaters who attend are the best of the best. Not only does this create a rare learning environment, but it allows you to make friends with the debaters you face in late elimination rounds throughout the year. I strongly recommend the Michigan Summer Debate Institute to anyone who seeks to excel over the season."
- Ram Gorthi, Bellarmine College Preparatory (CA), 10/10/2021, ()
"The Seven Week Juniors program was transformative for my debate career. Despite the online format, the atmosphere was great, for there were many ambitious debaters who constantly sought to improve their craft which created an environment for hard work. The lab leaders gave valuable and interactive lectures along with incredible and detailed feedback for practice debates and research. The morning lectures from topic authors and experts left me with a cornucopia of topic knowledge. Although the camp made the students work hard, I was able to meet some of my best friends in the lab whom I speak with on a daily basis. I am thankful for the University of Michigan for adjusting to the online format while continuing to provide a fun and educational camp experience!"
- Marshall Green, Montgomery Bell Academy (TN), 10/11/2021, ()
"My time at the University of Michigan's 7 Week Debate Program set up my high school career as a whole. I was able to have one of the most educational experiences of my life and had fun while doing it. Besides learning about debate, I learned about any and everything about the entire world, about anything from how governments function to whether or not we exist inside of a simulation. My lab leaders were extremely helpful and guided me through both the basic and more advanced portions of the debate world, allowing me to flourish in my individual career. Although camp was online, the experience was something like no other, and a program I would do again. If not for the intense and expansive program that I was able to enjoy from Michigan, I would not have been nearly as successful as I was within my career. The Michigan community was extremely helpful and I was able to find some of the best friends I could have asked for within the camp. I am so thankful that I was able to go to the amazing program in Michigan, and I'd recommend it to everyone who is interested."
- Michael Greenberg, Pine Crest School (FL), 10/16/2021, ()