08/26/2025
Cornell's Summer Debate Camp Was a Resounding Success!
From July 27 to August 4, 2025, the Cornell Speech and Debate Program hosted the International Summer Debate Camp on the Cornell Ithaca campus. The camp brought together over 200 middle and high school students from 25 states and 15 countries for an immersive experience in debate.
To ensure an outstanding experience for every participant, campers were placed into one of 10 cohorts based on their prior experience. This thoughtful approach allowed instructors to tailor their teaching to each group. Beginners felt empowered and supported, while seasoned debaters stayed stimulated and challenged. This system is designed for optimal learning, building confidence, and ensuring everyone has a rewarding experience.
Over the course of the 10-day camp, students honed their skills and broadened their understanding of debate through more than 20 elective courses. They debated a wide range of current topics, from artificial intelligence and tariffs to labor unions and international relations. A major highlight was the opportunity to learn from Cornell professors. Ariel Avgar, the Cornell University ILR School David M. Cohen Professor of Labor Relations, Law, and History, lectured on unions, and Graeme Bailey, a professor in the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, spoke about computational creativity.
The camp culminated in a celebratory banquet at the The Statler Hotel at Cornell University, where awards and certificates of completion were distributed. The event was a testament to the hard work and growth of the campers. Throughout the camp, students formed lasting friendships, engaged in significant learning, and had a great time. The overall experience was overwhelmingly positive.
We look forward to hosting the camp again next year.
