Outstanding Programs
The Institute for Speech and Debate will have programs in the following events in Summer 2026.
Click on the links below to learn more about each program.
Need help selecting the best program for your child?
Click here to see our decision tree for students and families!
Still have questions? Please contact us if we can help!
The ISD Leadership Academy
In speech and debate, many of our strongest and most impactful leaders are students. ISD wants to celebrate and develop those leaders through our new Leadership Academy, a no-cost application program at ISD: Carolina.
Congressional Debate
Congressional Debate students compete in mock legislative sessions. Students propose laws, prepare position statements, debate, and ultimately vote on issues that are submitted.
Interpretation of Literature
Interpretation of Literature students select a piece of literature and strive to bring out the deeper meaning in the work through their memorized and prepared presentation.
Extemporaneous Speaking
Extemporaneous Speaking challenges students to research a topic based on global current events and to prepare a 7 minute speech that is given entirely without notes.
Foundations of Public Speaking and Debate
ISD’s Foundations Program is thoughtfully designed for students who are new to speech and debate. Whether your child is stepping into their first round or simply curious about the activity, this program provides the skills, structure, and support they need to get started with confidence.
Students choose between two tracks — Public Speaking or Debate — each offering a unique pathway into the world of speech and debate.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Lincoln-Douglas Debate is an adversarial debate involving two competitors who are examining questions of morality, justice, and democracy through arguing for or against a bi-monthly topic.
Original Oratory and Informative Speaking
Original Oratory and Informative Speaking allow students the freedom to write a 10 minute speech and deliver a message that is entirely their own. Students develop their voice and learn how to share a message that they are passionate about.
Public Forum Debate
Public Forum Debate students participate in opposing teams of two. They debate current topics and engage in argument construction, refutation, and cross-examination. Judges range from from experienced debate coaches to informed community members.
Coaches Clinic
The ISD Family includes more than just our students – that why we are committed to hosting a coaches clinic to support the amazing coaches who make speech and debate possible for students across the country!
Locations, Dates, and Tuition
Residential Program
1 Week: $2,799
Commuter Program
1 Week: $1,999
- 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
- 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 2026. 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.