Information for Campers and Families

Locations, Dates, and Tuition

Residential and Commuter Program Options and Tuition for Middle School and High School Students
ISD: Carolina Session 1
Hosted at UNC Chapel Hill, June 27 - July 10, 2026 - (June 27 - July 3 for one week)
ISD: Carolina Session 2
Hosted at UNC Chapel Hill, July 12 - July 25, 2026 - (July 12-18 for one week)

Residential Program

Get the full ISD experience at UNC Chapel Hill! Includes room and board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
2 Weeks: $3,899
1 Week: $2,799

Commuter Program

Commute to and from camp each day! Includes lunch and dinner only.
2 Weeks: $2,599
1 Week: $1,999
Important Notes
  • Students who sign-up before December 31, 2025 will save $300 on two-week tuition at ISD 2026.
  • Payment in full for ISD 2026 must be received to confirm your enrollment in ISD.  Your credit card or checking account payment will be processed immediately upon enrollment approval by ISD administration.
  • All enrollments are non-refundable.
  • After May 31st, there is a $200 late-registration fee. Please complete your registration before the end of May to avoid this additional cost.
  • ​All 1-week students must attend the first week of the session. There is no 1-week session during the second week.
  • There is no 1-week enrollment option available for students in interpretation of literature.

Arrival/Departure Information

  • Hosted at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC.
  • All flights should arrive at and depart from Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU).
  • For those flying to Raleigh-Durham, please arrange flights to arrive between 9:00am and 2:00pm on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
  • Departure for one-week residential students will be Friday, July 3, 2026. Please arrange your departing flight prior to noon. Commuter students will check-out at 8pm on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
  • For two-week residential students, departure will be on Friday, July 10, 2026. Please arrange your departing flight prior to noon. Commuter students will check-out at 8pm on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
  • Hosted at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC.
  • All flights should arrive at and depart from Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU).
  • For those flying to Raleigh-Durham, please arrange flights to arrive between 9:00am and 2:00pm on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
  • Departure for one-week residential students will be Saturday, July 18, 2026. Please arrange your departing flight prior to noon. Commuter students will check out at 8pm on Friday, July 17, 2026.
  • For two-week residential students, departure will be on Saturday, July 25, 2026. Please arrange your departing flight prior to noon. Commuter students will check out at 8pm on Friday, July 24, 2026.

Ground Transportation

(optional, for air travelers only)
  • ​Ground Transportation must be purchased in advance when you apply for the Workshop.
  • Payment for ground transportation is due with the balance of your fee. The transportation fee is $150 (for round trip transportation) and $100 (for one way trips), all to or from Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU) for ISD: Carolina.

Tuition Payment Information

Tuition payments are made through our online enrollment service. All tuition payments are non-refundable. All payments are due immediately upon receipt of your invoice.

Unaccompanied Minors

ISD will not provide unaccompanied minor service at ISD 2025. If a student is too young to fly independently, parents will have to fly with their child or make other arrangements.

Financial Aid Information

  • The Institute for Speech and Debate’s founders are committed to expanding access to speech and debate across the country. We believe strongly that able students of all economic backgrounds should be welcomed and enabled to come to our programs.
  • Financial assistance is available for those who would benefit significantly from attending the workshop but would otherwise be unable to afford to attend.
  • To complete an application, we request that applicants submit letters (email is acceptable) supporting the aid decision from the student, a parent/guardian, and coach.
  • The letter from the parent should indicate the level of need (including an amount budgeted for the Institute program desired); the letter from the coach should indicate work ethic, leadership, and skill; the letter from the student should indicate why attending the Institute is important to him or her. Requests for aid will be considered on a rolling basis. Requests completed by March 1 receive primary consideration, and all funds will be awarded by April 15. Requests and supporting documentation can be sent to the institute co-directors at staff@ispeechanddebate.com.
  • Financial aid is limited to available funds and will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis until they are exhausted.