Outstanding Programs
The Institute for Speech and Debate will have online, residential, and commuter programs in the following events during the 2020 Workshop sessions. Click on the links below to learn more about each option.
Students may select the speech and debate event that best matches their area of interest. Please contact us if we can help!
ISD: Online – New in 2020!
We’re taking the #ISDDifference online! Every event program will be offered through our new online platform this summer. The same outstanding instruction and individualized attention that you have come to expect from our championship faculty will now be available at home!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Middle School Day and Residential Program
Our Middle School program is designed to welcome and support both new and experienced speech and debate students. Please contact us for more information and to discuss placement.
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.
Locations, Dates, and Tuition
Online Program
1 Week: $600
Residential Program
1 Week: $2,150
Commuter Program
1 Week: $1,250
- These prices are based on electronic payment by ACH (checking account). There is an additional 3% surcharge when paying by credit card.
- Day trip to Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is only included for two-week residents at ISD: Florida. Two-week commuters who wish to add the trip to Walt Disney World can do so for $150.
- After May 31st, there is a $200 late-registration fee. Please complete your registration before the end of May to avoid that additional cost.
- All 1-week students must come the first week of the session. There is no 1-week session during the second week.
Technology Requirements and Arrival/Departure Information
- Students will be able to complete ISD: Online from the comfort of their own home – but there will be some technology requirements.
- Students will need a working webcam and we encourage students to consider a headset for optimal sound and microphone support.
- While most home wifi should support ISD: Online’s instruction, the use of an ethernet cable may enhance wifi speed and improve the student experience.
- ISD will offer students the opportunity to test their technology before ISD: Online instruction begins.
- All flights should arrive at and depart from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
- For those flying to Ft. Lauderdale, please arrange flights to arrive between 9:00am and 2:00pm on Saturday, June 27.
- Departure for one-week students will be Friday, July 3. Please arrange your departing flight prior to noon.
- For two-week students, departure will be on Friday, July 10. Please arrange your departing flight prior to noon.
- All flights should arrive at and depart from Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
- For those flying to Charlotte, please arrange flights to arrive between 9:00am and 2:00pm on Sunday, July 12.
- Departure for one-week students will be Saturday, July 18. Please arrange your departing flight prior to noon.
- For two-week students, departure will be on Saturday, July 25. Please arrange your departing flight prior to noon.
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 $100 (for round trip transportation) and $60 (for one way trips), all to or from Denver International Airport (DEN) for ISD: Colorado, Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) for ISD: Carolina, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) for ISD: Florida.
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 2020. 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 Operations Director (Jason Kline) 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.