Testimonials

"My seven weeks at the Michigan debate camp this summer were so fun and honestly transformative. My lab leaders were some of the smartest and funniest people I’ve ever met, and my labmates were all super friendly and hardworking. I loved the drills and practice rounds we did together, but I also loved going out for late-night pizza runs, singing karaoke during prep sessions, and picnicking out in the Law Quad with them. In my experience, the camp was also very helpful and accommodating towards special needs. I had torn my Achilles a few weeks before the camp, but thanks to Michigan, it didn’t ruin my seven-week experience at all! They gave me an electric wheelchair, helped take me to and back from physical therapy every week, and always provided me with whatever medical support I needed. I am beyond thankful for the time I spent here, and I strongly recommend it to everyone else."

"Spending my summer at Michigan has both made me a much better debater and introduced me to some of my best friends. The lab leaders are experienced coaches and judges who provide in-depth lectures, specific drills, and personalized feedback that I wouldn't be able to find anywhere else. Spending 7 weeks with a group of people who all share the same passion for one activity pushed me to improve and think about debate in new ways. The location at Ann Arbor is also a great way to tour UMich, eat good food, or go out with friends! Each summer at camp has been the fastest I've grown in my debate skills, so I would definitely recommend the 7-Week program to anyone looking for competitive success and a debate community that will last throughout the year."

"If you are someone seeking to change your relationship with debate, I could not recommend anything more. My summers at the University of Michigan’s 7 Week Program have yielded some of my favorite experiences in the activity, inspired some of my biggest revelations, and introduced me to some of the people I am most grateful to know. What makes Michigan special is that it draws debaters from across the country in an environment that feels both intensely immersive and refreshingly low-stakes. Outside of the lab, you live alongside the people you debate with, explore Ann Arbor, and build a community that makes debate feel like more than just a competition. That environment also gives you the freedom, and at many times implores you, to step outside whatever habits you’ve developed during the season and experiment with arguments and strategies you'd ordinarily never try. If you’re looking for a chance to step back from the pressures of the season, rethink how you debate, and make a ton of friends along the way, Michigan is your answer."

"The University of Michigan's 7-week debate camp has been more pivotal in shaping my fundamental view of the world than any other experience in my life. The lab leaders are nothing short of exceptional, with a depth of knowledge and a genuine investment in every debater's growth, to a point where it feels as if they are a dedicated coach at your own high school. Their lectures alone taught me more in a single summer than months of independent research ever could, and their feedback after practice debates pushed me to achieve levels of growth I never thought was possible in a summer, let alone seven weeks. Between the extensive research sessions ( driven by the endless tools of the Michigan Library), constant drilling, and access to resources I could not find anywhere else, I left camp both of the years I attended it with a skillset that I did not arrive with. But to me, camp is so much more than the time spent in labs. Being surrounded by the best debaters in the country, all of whom have immense drive for the activity, forced me to emulate their style and seek a higher level for myself, while also providing me with some of my best friends. Now, two summers later, I walk into debates not just a better debater, but a more disciplined, driven, and well spoken person, all thanks to the seven weeks I spent at Michigan. I can say with full confidence that I would not be the same friend, student, or person, without it."

"I’ve spent my past three summers at the Michigan Debate Institute, including two in the 7-Week program, and I’m incredibly grateful for an experience I looked forward to every summer. Being surrounded by some of the most talented and competitive debaters in the country meant that every practice debate, research session, and conversation pushed me to improve. Working and partnering with debaters who approached arguments differently exposed me to new ways of thinking and made me a much more versatile debater. My lab leaders were always willing to listen to countless re-dos and questions, offer thoughtful insight on any type of argument, and genuinely invest in our success. More than anything, Michigan gave me some of my closest friends. Spending seven weeks researching, prepping, competing, and living alongside debaters from across the country created friendships that extend far beyond camp. Michigan shaped the way I debate, gave me a community within the activity, and made every summer one I couldn’t wait to return to."

"I've spent a total of 18 weeks at the University of Michigan's Summer Institute, and I wouldn't have traded it for anything else. Every single lab leader cares deeply about the activity, their students, and the camp as a whole, and the amount of effort they put into the summer is unparalleled. While the research opportunities, lectures, and practice debates were critical in making me a better debater, the things that I'll remember forever are the community and connections I formed while at camp. The debaters I met in lab are some of my best friends, and the lab leaders are some of the adults I trust most. Attending camp turned debate from just another activity to a home for me. This camp is the best there is, and I encourage everyone to attend!"

"The Michigan Seven-Week debate program was the best way I could have spent my summer. Every lecture was extremely informative and engaging, while also connecting directly to the debate season. They taught us not only how to apply this information to our debates but also helped me become a more knowledgeable and well-rounded person. Additionally, the lab leaders were insightful and passionate, both of which were integral to my progression as a technical debater and my ability to research and develop compelling arguments. There is no other debate camp that maintains such a rigorous schedule while simultaneously allowing us to create lasting memories with friends and other talented, driven debaters. Michigan pushed me to become a better debater but also gave me memories and friendships that I’ll carry with me long after the season ends."

"The University of Michigan’s 7-Week Debate Camp strikes the perfect balance between in-depth topic lectures, vibrant and collaborative lab sessions, plentiful practice debates, personalized feedback, dedicated research time, top-tier lab leaders, and sufficient time to have fun with your friends. Personally, I left Ann Arbor a much more confident thinker and communicator, and I would highly recommend this program to any debater looking to exponentially improve their skills and become part of a lasting debate community."

"My past three summers attending the University of Michigan debate camp have been some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The lab leaders are some of the most knowledgeable, patient, and honest people you could work with that give feedback that sticks, no matter your argumentation style throughout the season. The in-depth and topic oriented lectures, coupled with the access to many library resources gave me both the knowledge and skills to produce what I need throughout the season. Beyond the debate aspect itself, camp really balanced the competition and community aspect of this activity. Despite attending a school that lacks opportunities for us to participate nationally, I feel at home whether it's staying up late with friends to prep or going out to any of the restaurants which makes it that much more fun, and those friendships are ones carried into the season. This camp has allowed me to both ensure I get surrounded by those that push me and create memories to last."

"The Michigan 7 Week camp is truly the best place to improve as a debater. The lab leaders are incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely committed to helping you succeed, providing thoughtful feedback and personalized guidance throughout the summer. Additionally, making friends with people who love debate as much as you do fosters in-depth conversations about new arguments and perspectives both in and out of lab. Having the opportunity to participate in so many practice debates against people you will debate in the season is also extremely valuable, and the engaging lectures and meaningful research opportunities provided at UMich are very helpful in preparing for the season. I loved my time at the Michigan debate camp, and I wish I could do it all over again."

"I’ve had the opportunity to spend my last two summers at Michigan 7 Debate Camp, and it has honestly been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, both as a debater and as a person. It’s helped me become a better debater while also creating friendships that have lasted long after camp ended, all through a college-like experience that I really appreciated. Each lab leader was genuinely invested in my learning, from giving lectures and listening to countless practice debates and drills to answering every question I had and guiding me through research. Even the atmosphere of Ann Arbor made the experience unforgettable, from the cute shops and endless food choices, to the Art Fair!"

"I have spent my last three summers at the University of Michigan Debate Institutes, and I can honestly say there is no better way I could've envisioned spending my summer. I think camp strikes the perfect balance between intensity and fun. While I have been able to finely tune my debate skills through extensive research, discussions, lectures, and practice debates, I have also made some of my closest friends during my time at Michigan. Additionally, the lab leaders are all super passionate about debate and hardworking, ensuring that every student can improve as much as possible. The camp transformed me not only as a debater but as a person, and I'll remember the memories I made at Michigan forever."

"My time at Michigan has undoubtedly been the highlight of my past two summers. Between receiving lectures from incredibly knowledgeable lab leaders, debating against skilled opponents, or eating Thai food with friends, camp provides the perfect balance between competition and sociality. Nowhere have I grown more as a debater than within Ann Arbor—I received tremendous guidance from the most skilled debate coaches in the country, serving as lab leaders who genuinely want to help their debaters succeed. However, the greatest reward of camp is becoming part of an incredible community. Being surrounded by ambitious peers equally as passionate about debate compelled me to work harder, meeting people I could learn from and rely on while kindling countless valuable friendships. Now, at tournaments, I cherish every time I get to reconnect with a camp friend from across the country. For those seeking to improve their debate skills and become a part of something larger, I could not stress enough how transformative my Michigan experience has been."

"Being able to spend the last three summers at the seven-week debate program at the University of Michigan has been a privilege and undeniably one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had. From meeting friends around the country I’ll see multiple times throughout the year to expert lectures, lab leaders, and a beautiful campus, debate camp has truly been a one-of-a-kind experience I'll never forget. I would highly recommend attending the Michigan debate camp to any debater who wants to have an unforgettable summer while improving as a debater."

"The past two summers I’ve spent at the Michigan debate camp were easily some of the best of my life. It connected me with some of the best people I know all across the country and gave me something to look forward to every tournament. The lab leaders are some of the best instructors you will ever meet. They are deeply dedicated to this activity and cultivating excellence in the next generation of debaters. I cherished their in-depth lectures and eloquent feedback, which pushed me to become a better debater. But Michigan isn’t just great for improving your debate skills – it’s just hella fun. The campus has fantastic restaurants and plenty of activities to fill the downtime. I can't speak highly enough of Michigan, and I recommend it to any debater looking to have fun while becoming the best they can be."

"I’ve spent the past two summers at the UM 7-Week Debate Camp, and I can say with absolute certainty that I will never regret the time I spent there. Although my parents might regret having to endure one-sided conversations about my camp experiences and the friends I made, I’ll always look back on my experience in Michigan with indescribable gratitude. I debate at a relatively small school in Kansas, so the ability to consistently debate at a national circuit level was something unknown to me before camp. Although I had heard of the top debaters from previous years, I never thought I’d have the chance to interact with many of them and become immersed in a community that I never knew existed. The people I met at camp are some of the smartest and funniest individuals I’ve ever met, and I’m forever thankful to Michigan for facilitating daily interactions around nonsense debate arguments, school troubles, speed running pizza after night lab, or being forced to go to the objectively worse boba places after the main spots were closed. I’ve found that the memories and bonds I made at camp, along with the instruction I received from some of the smartest debate coaches of our generation, made the experience worth far more than any money spent. Every lab at every Michigan debate camp has leaders who truly love the activity, treat every student with kindness and respect, and strike the perfect balance between time to enjoy the Michigan campus experience with friends and time to debate. The argumentative mastery facilitated by Michigan consistently ranks among the best of all camps, with camp alumni winning almost every major TOC bid and regional championship tournament."

"I’ve attended the Michigan debate camp twice and it’s always been the best part of the summer. From expert lectures to prepare students for every part of the upcoming topic to lab leaders that spend hours giving individualized feedback to each student, the Michigan debate camp is the best place to improve at debate while having a ton of fun. Camp also perfectly balances the competitive nature of this activity with the community that comes with it. Michigan is one of the only places to meet other high school debaters from around the country which enriches the camp experience and helps everyone collectively improve."

"Having spent three summers at the University of Michigan’s Debate Program, with the past two in the 7 Week Program, I can confidently say the program has been one of the most meaningful and formative experiences I’ve had. My time in Ann Arbor each summer has only deepened my passion for debate. The lab leaders are some of the most qualified and engaging instructors I have ever had the opportunity to learn from. Through their many lectures, insightful feedback, and encouraging guidance, they have significantly changed the way I think about debate and pushed me to become a better debater. The skills I gained at Michigan have shaped the way I debate, but the friendships I made there have shaped me even beyond the activity. Spending seven weeks surrounded by a group of debaters that are just as driven as I am motivates me to work harder. The Michigan debate camp offers a unique opportunity to interact with students from across the country. I’ve made many of my closest friends at camp, and even though we live hundreds or thousands of miles apart, those friendships endure throughout the years. At every national debate tournament we attend, I look forward to seeing the people I met at Michigan. I have left every summer at the Michigan debate camp with a stronger debate and research skillset and more connected to the people who make debate so meaningful to me. I could not recommend the University of Michigan’s 7 Week Debate Program more highly to anyone looking to grow their skills as a debater while finding a community that lasts far beyond the summer."

"I've spent 3 summers at the University of Michigan debate camp. Each summer has offered me not only significant advancement in my debate abilities but also an invaluable social experience. The friends I've made in Ann Arbor have become among my closest, and our connection over debate and shared memories are invaluable. In my experience, camp combines the intellectually stimulating aspects of individual research and preparation with the fun and competitive atmosphere of tournaments. The summers I've spent at Michigan have been by far my favorite debate experiences throughout high school."

“The University of Michigan's debate camp is the best place to improve as a debater. The lab instructors are experienced, helpful, and very supportive. Being surrounded by skilled opponents helped me learn more than I normally would. Beyond debate, I’ve made countless friends at Michigan who are some of the best people I know.”

"After spending 3 summers at the University of Michigan's 7-week program, I genuinely believe it was the best possible use of my summers as a debater and critical thinker. The intensity and quality of instruction is absolutely unparalleled; every lab leader is there because debate is meaningful to them and they want to help students improve. Research, lectures, and debates made camp incredibly helpful in learning how to win debates, but the balance between competition and community is remarkable. Spending weeks with people just as driven, curious, and passionate about debate as you are makes the experience unlike any other; my labmates are now some of my best friends, and lab leaders are trusted adults. Michigan has made me a better debater, but more importantly, it has given me a community I cherish and genuinely look forward to returning to at every tournament."