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Public Speaking Lessons
Master essential communication skills through our proven curriculum
Core Skill!
Building Lasting Confidence
Transform into a confident speaker
- Develop self-expression abilities
- Build leadership presence
- Master stage confidence
- Overcome speaking anxiety
Voice Skills!
Mastering Your Voice
Perfect your vocal delivery
- Voice projection techniques
- Vocal variety and pacing
- Clear articulation
- Strategic pausing
Non-Verbal!
Effective Body Language
Master non-verbal communication
- Dynamic gestures
- Powerful eye contact
- Stage movement
- Facial expressions
Structure!
Speech Organization
Create compelling structures
- Clear main points
- Supporting evidence
- Smooth transitions
- Logical flow
Openings!
Powerful Openings
Hook your audience instantly
- Attention-grabbing hooks
- Opening techniques
- Audience engagement
- Setting the tone
Advanced!
Advanced Techniques
Master expert-level skills
- Storytelling mastery
- Audience adaptation
- Advanced persuasion
- Expert Q&A handling
Debate Lessons
Master the art of competitive debate through strategic training
Research!
Quality Research Skills
Build strong evidence-based cases
- Find qualified sources
- Evaluate evidence quality
- Organize research effectively
- Create evidence cards
Cross-Ex!
Cross-Examination
Master strategic questioning
- Strategic question sequencing
- Time management
- Evidence exposition
- Maintaining composure
Refute!
Refutation Techniques
Counter arguments effectively
- Attack argument structure
- Evidence comparison
- Impact calculus
- Turn arguments
Closing!
Winning Closings
Deliver powerful final speeches
- Crystallize key issues
- Impact comparison
- Voter analysis
- Strategic weighing
Cases!
Case Construction
Build winning arguments
- Strategic frameworks
- Evidence integration
- Impact development
- Strategic advantages
Strategy!
Debate Strategy
Master competitive tactics
- Time allocation
- Argument selection
- Strategic concessions
- Round vision
What Sets Capitol Debate Apart
The Difference Between Winging It and Perfecting It Over 20 Years
Other Debate Camps
Standard ApproachTournament Focus Only
Win debates and competitions
Rigid Generic Teaching
One-size-fits-all instruction for everyone
Seasonal College Students
Figuring it out each June, summer side gig
Guesswork & Experimentation
Winging it, trying different approaches with students
Static Curriculum
Same generic content for every student
Capitol Debate
Professional ExcellencePersonalized Assessment-Driven Learning
Individual skill assessment, custom learning paths, adaptive to YOUR child
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- Day-one individual assessment identifies strengths and growth areas
- Custom learning path designed for each student's needs
- Continuous progress monitoring throughout program
- Teaching adapts to visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learners
- Real-time adjustments based on student progress
20 Years of Refined Teaching Methods
Tested with 10,000+ students, proven exercises, continuously improved
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- Every lesson refined through thousands of students over two decades
- 1,000s of exercises tested—kept what works, discarded what doesn't
- Evidence-based pedagogy, not experimental guesswork
- Curriculum continuously optimized by professional educators
- We know exactly what creates breakthroughs vs. what wastes time
Year-Round Professional Educators
Career teachers with advanced degrees, not seasonal college students
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- Full-time professional educators—this is their life's work
- Advanced degrees in education, communication, and related fields
- Decades of combined teaching experience
- Ongoing professional development and training
- Returning staff who know our curriculum inside and out
Learn → Apply → Perform Daily Structure
Proven three-stage approach: morning instruction, immediate practice, afternoon performance
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- Morning: Expert instruction introduces new skills with engaging lessons
- Immediate: Targeted practice exercises cement understanding right away
- Afternoon: Full performance labs where students apply everything learned
- Multiple feedback loops: peer review, instructor coaching, AI analysis
- This three-stage rhythm creates actual mastery, not just exposure
Continuous Progress Tracking & Advancement
Daily assessments, real-time adjustments, always pushing to next level
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- Daily skill assessments track each student's development
- When a student masters a skill, we immediately introduce next challenge
- Struggling with a concept? We adjust our teaching approach instantly
- Not one-size-fits-all pacing—each student advances at optimal speed
- Measurable progress markers show visible growth throughout program
Teaching Skills Students Need to Excel
Complete Communication Training for Every Situation
Persuasive Communication
Articulate complex ideas clearly, structure compelling arguments, adapt messaging to any audience
Interpersonal Communication
Build authentic connections, master active listening, read social cues, navigate relationships effectively
Team Leadership & Collaboration
Lead group discussions, delegate effectively, build consensus, motivate diverse teammates toward shared goals
Conflict Resolution
De-escalate tensions, find common ground, negotiate win-win solutions, manage disagreements constructively
Critical Thinking & Analysis
Evaluate evidence objectively, identify logical fallacies, analyze arguments from multiple perspectives
Strategic Thinking
Plan long-term initiatives, anticipate consequences, develop multi-step strategies, adapt goals as circumstances change
Confidence Under Pressure
Manage performance anxiety, think clearly under stress, maintain composure in high-stakes moments
Executive Presence
Command attention naturally, project confidence, establish credibility, inspire others through authentic leadership
What Makes Capitol Debate Different
Most debate camps teach students to give speeches and win debates. That's where they stop.
We go far beyond the podium. Every single day includes:
- Morning leadership exercises that break through mental barriers
- Interpersonal communication electives for face-to-face mastery
- Team building activities that develop collaboration skills
- Conflict resolution training for real-world disagreements
- Small group practice with peer feedback and coaching
The result? Students don't just learn to debate—they develop the complete communication skillset that defines success in school, careers, and life.
Choose Your Specialized Tracks
Every student selects TWO tracks that match their interests
From Business & STEM to Competition Prep - Make Your Summer Experience Your Own
Business Communication
Perfect business presentations and executive presence
- Executive presence
- "Shark Tank" style pitches
- Strategic presentations
STEM Communication
Present technical concepts with clarity and impact
- Technical presentations
- Data visualization
- Research communication
Legal Communication
Develop courtroom presence and advocacy skills
- Legal argumentation
- Case presentation
- Courtroom advocacy
Interpersonal Communication
Build meaningful connections and relationships
- Social intelligence
- Active listening
- Emotional awareness
Group Communication
Lead discussions and collaborative projects
- Team leadership
- Project management
- Group dynamics
Persuasive Speaking
Move audiences to action with compelling messages
- Audience analysis
- Message crafting
- Call to action
Public Forum Debate
Master partner debate on current events
- Partner collaboration
- Current events analysis
- Evidence evaluation
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Explore value-based philosophical debate
- Philosophical frameworks
- Value argumentation
- Critical analysis
Parliamentary Debate
Excel in impromptu debate format
- Quick analysis
- Impromptu speaking
- Strategic rhetoric
Watch Capitol Debaters in Action
Discover the remarkable progress our students make as they master the art of debate with Capitol Debate — from novices to articulate speakers in just one summer at our Public Speaking Debate Camps. Each caption in our videos pinpoints key debating skills we nurture, from crafting catchy openings to constructing solid arguments. Witness our debaters put these focused techniques into practice, achieving eloquence and poise over a single summer with Capitol Debate.
Choose Your Perfect Campus Location
Select from our prestigious universities nationwide
Northeast Campuses
Experience debate in New England and the Northeast
Yale University
New Haven, CT
July 12 - July 23, 2026
Babson College
Boston, MA
July 12 - July 23, 2026
Dana Hall
Boston, MA
July 26 - August 6, 2026
Drew University
Madison, NJ
July 12 - July 23, 2026
The Hun School Of Princeton
Princeton, NJ
June 29 to July 10, 2025
The Lawrenceville School
Lawrenceville, NJ
July 12 to July 23, 2026
Iona University
New Rochelle, NY
July 26 - August 6, 2026
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ
July 26 - August 6, 2026
Mid-Atlantic Campuses
Debate at prestigious institutions in Pennsylvania and Washington D.C.
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
June 28 - July 9, 2026
American University
Washington, DC
July 12 - July 23, 2026
Southeast Campuses
Develop your debate skills in the Southeast United States
Rollins College
Orlando, FL
May 31 to June 9, 2026
University Of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC
June 14 - June 25, 2026
West Coast Campuses
Develop your debate skills at premier West Coast institutions
UC Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
July 12 to July 23, 2026
UCLA
Los Angeles, CA
June 28 - July 9, 2026
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA
June 15 to July 24, 2025
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
July 26 - August 6, 2026
South Campuses
Experience debate at top institutions across the Southern United States
University of St. Thomas
Houston, TX
May 31 - June 11, 2026
Midwest Campuses
Train with elite instructors at our premier Midwest locations
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
May 31 - June 11, 2026
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
June 14-June 25, 2026