"I spent my last two summers attending the 7 week Michigan debate camp and plan on attending next year. The advanced coaching staff coupled with the rigorous yet rewarding curriculum ensured marked improvement in my debate skills. Students partake in various lectures given by the best debate coaches in the country to bring them up to speed on current events regarding the topic, as well as meta-level strategies to guarantee success in the upcoming season. My experience with lab leaders has been phenomenal, offering excellent feedback to improve as a debater from various angles, giving advice not only on how to prepare, but how to enhance my chances of victory during my debate rounds. Independently, the Michigan institute serves as a foundation for my preparedness going into the new debate season. My time within the Michigan Debate community has been nothing but fun, challenging, and rewarding for me and fellow teammates as well."

“As this was my first time attending the Michigan Debate camp in-person, I had no idea what to expect. However, looking back on it, getting to spend 7 weeks at the UM debate camp was an experience that I am extremely grateful for. I was able to work with and debate against some of the best debaters in the country, and I received valuable feedback whether it was geared towards the speeches I gave, the research I did, or truly anything else. The challenging debates I got to experience and overall rigor of the UM debate camp was instrumental to my growth as I pushed myself to work harder than I ever have and tried new things that were outside of my comfort zone. Aside from the debate aspect, I am so lucky to have found a supportive community through the UM debate camp. I developed close bonds with so many people in my lab, and I know that I will stay in touch with them for years to come. I would highly recommend attending the UM debate camp in order to grow as a debater and build friendships.”

"I cannot overstate the impact of UM debate camp on my career in high-school debate. After three summers of both virtual and in-person Michigan camps, I realize that the world-class excellence of the debaters, lab leaders, and guest lecturers is reason enough for any debater to attend. But the truth is that all three of those groups together work a special magic not found anywhere else. Michigan makes debate more complex, more challenging, and so much more fun. I’ve learned loads of information in lab and in practice debates. I’ve met people from all over the world and made great friendships that I hope last my whole lifetime. And yes, I am a better and more successful debater on the national circuit. But for me, the most incredible thing about UM camp is the far-reaching debate community it creates. I am so thankful to be part of a community that is brilliant, curious, and invested in researching and debating the pressing issues affecting all of us."

"The Michigan 7-Week program has only exceeded my expectations in every area, whether that be life at the dorms or the extremely valuable sessions in lab. I progressed so much from the first day of lab to the camp tournament and will be forever grateful for the fantastic coaching staff who devoted so much time and effort to see the success of all of the debaters. The program provided me the opportunity to practice against top debaters from around the country, and there was not a day I did not learn something new. The camp's lectures gave me expert insight into the year's topic, and I constantly find myself using facts I learned in those lectures inside debate rounds. Aside from the purely educational benefits, the relationships I formed at the 7-Week program were most certainly worth the seven weeks. The strong community feeling of my lab fostered a perfect learning environment, where both fun and work could occur. I truly cannot put into words how strongly I recommend this program to any potential attendees."

"The UMich K Lab was both my first time doing kritik-centered research and attending a camp in real life. After taking part in the lab, I can attest that it was a transformative experience. Nowhere else did I feel as surrounded by people who think in similar terms about arguments which helped lift the massive burden that was COVID burnout. From lab leaders who would help us out past hours to lab-bonding activities, I never felt isolated, which was originally a huge worry for me. Everyone from both my lab and others were some of the nicest, most collaborative and helpful people I've ever met, and it cultivated a lot of my friendships this year. The program's dedication to lectures and practice debates allowed me to consistently improve both my argumentation and speaking ability. I would absolutely recommend the K Lab, if not the Michigan camp in its entirety for any debater looking to not only significantly improve in their debating, but finding a community within the activity."

"As a senior in my final season of high school debate, I can confidently say to any debater looking to apply that there is no lab like the Kritik lab. Attending both the online and in-person programs, I learned that the staff at the K lab are some of the best at what they do. Regardless of if you're a one trick or completely new to critical argumentation; you will leave camp with a deeper understanding of kritiks and how to deploy them strategically. The students at the K lab are also deeply invested in one another's success, and this community of bright young scholars remains with you long after you leave the camp. In short, there is no better way to prepare for the upcoming season than with the resources provided to you at the Michigan Kritik Lab."