Testimonials

“The Michigan 7 Week camp is by far the best debate camp out there. The lab instructors are super experienced, funny, helpful, and challenge you to do your very best. There's never a day that won't eventually translate into another debate win during the official season. Additionally, it provides the opportunity to debate against the same opponents at your skill level during the season and create new friends whilst learning about the topic in incredibly useful lectures that I often look back on to formulate new arguments during the season.”

“Spending my last two summers at the 7 Week debate camp at the University of Michigan was undeniably one of the best experiences I’ve had. The expert lectures, devoted and passionate lab leaders, and the beautiful campus with amazing facilities all truly made the experience unforgettable. Debate camp not only significantly improved my debate and research skills but helped me grow as a person and meet like-minded dedicated debaters from across the country who I look forward to seeing at tournaments this year. I would highly recommend attending the Michigan debate camp for any debater who wants to improve at the activity and have a summer they’ll never forget!”

“I've spent my last two summers at the Michigan Debate Camp and truly loved it each time. It's a perfect balance of competitiveness and community; I've made many of my closest friends while debating against them. My lab leaders were incredibly insightful, skilled, and funny. Being surrounded by the smartest and most experienced debaters in the country motivated me to work harder. Although camp feels competitive, the friendliness of everybody I met was truly amazing. I loved exploring the Art Fair, going to restaurants, and getting matcha with my friends, and I can't wait to return to Michigan this summer." "

“The past two summers that I spent at the University of Michigan 7-week debate camp have been some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. All of the lab leaders are extremely knowledgeable and helpful, regardless of your style of debate. Frequent practice debates, drills, lectures, and extensive research sessions sharpen every skill required to compete at the highest level. By being immersed in debate all day, every day, every debater sees exponential growth in their ability by the end of camp. Furthermore, what truly separates Michigan from other summer experiences, however, are the friends and competitors you meet, who are simultaneously some of the nicest and smartest people you will ever meet. From Ice cream runs after the evening session to late-night prep with my roommate, the camp helps foster friendships and lasting bonds that extend far beyond debate. Every aspect of the activity that I really enjoy, like research, high-quality debates, intense competition, and social interaction, is amplified at camp. I highly recommend the 7-week program to every debater!”

“Attending the Michigan 7 Week Institutes was instrumental in the progression of my debate career. There is no other institution where debaters have access to expert coaching, low student-to-staff ratio, rigorous curriculum, and unfettered access to a university database. Not only was attending the summer institutes integral to the development of my ability to research arguments and technical execution, it allowed me to build lifelong connections and meet some of my closest friends. Being in an environment with the best debaters around the nation created healthy competition, pushing every debater to become the best version of themselves and learn from their peers.”

“The seven weeks I spent at the University of Michigan were the most fun I've ever had. The combination of highly talented lab leaders, detailed lectures, extensive online libraries, and close friendships made me an infinitely better debater. The program is perfectly balanced; there's tons of time to research, practice debate, do drills, and hang out with friends, ensuring that the summer never gets boring. The coaches gave incredible feedback and genuinely cared for their students, making everyone feel accepted and included. On top of the competitive benefits, I think the best part of camp was the friends I made and the memories we formed. Spending so much time with other debaters and getting to act like college kids made us all extremely close, and I'm going to remember my experience at the Seven Week camp forever.”

“I’ve spent three of my past summers at the Michigan 7-Week camp, turning down various other opportunities and trips. It astounds friends, family, and teachers: why would anyone go to debate camp for seven weeks, let alone every summer? Everyone assumes my parents forced me. The reality is that I beg my parents every year to go because I know Michigan is worth it. The great thing about debate is that it surrounds you with some of the smartest people you’ll ever meet. Michigan takes the smartest of those people and puts them in the same dorm. The result is a season’s worth of debates and innovation, and a community built on friendship and fun memories. Michigan’s lab leaders are extremely supportive and inspiring, and their lectures provide you with topic knowledge that would usually take days of research. The food is always great, the weather is perfect, and my least favorite part of camp is always leaving.”

"My past two summers spent at the University of Michigan’s 7-week debate camp have been the most foundational and meaningful experiences of my life. Coming together with some of the best debaters in the nation fosters healthy competition to push each other to our highest potential. The lab leaders are incredibly informed and approachable, and their feedback and lectures have made me an infinitely better debater. The combination of extensive library resources and consistent practice debates provided a highly conducive environment to my growth. The program is also the perfect balance of competition and community, and the close friends I’ve made will last beyond the activity. From evening boba runs after lab in the charming city of Ann Arbor to early morning prep sessions for practice debates, every experience reinforced my skills as a debater while creating lasting bonds. I don’t think I could recommend University of Michigan’s 7 Week Program enough to any debater who wishes to both create lifelong memories and achieve their highest potential."

"Seven weeks at Michigan was the best way I could've ever spent my summer. Living in Taiwan, I found that going to tournaments was a rare experience that most people take for granted. At camp, however, I felt like I belonged with some of the best debaters in the nation, actively learning while competing against one another. The camp allowed me to make memories that I will never forget and friendships that I will cherish forever."