MIDDLE SCHOOL DEBATE FOR RISING 6TH - 9TH GRADERS:

Introduction to Debate - July 26 to July 30 - This first session is a perfect way to introduce your student to the world of debate. Learn how to give a great public speech, organize ideas, write a case, research, write, and much more.

Competitive Debate- 2 Sessions: August 2 to August 6 - The first session is perfect for those students that have already taken the Introductory Debate Class prior to Summer 2009. The second session is perfect for students just completing the Introduction to Debate in session 1 and also for those students already enrolled in competitive debate. Each week, students will compete in at least 5 preliminary debates and receive feedback from experienced debate judge.

TWO WEEK SESSION - July 26 to August 6 - Combine both both Introduction to Debate and the Debate League and save on camp!

PUBLIC SPEAKING FOR RISING 4TH AND 5TH GRADERS

Introduction to Public Speaking - July 26 to July 30 - This is a great opportunity for your student to pick up valuable lessons on Public Speaking before Middle School. Students will learn how to confidently present a speech before an audience. Through exercises and practice, students will work on delivery skills including vocal variety, articulation, and voice projection. In preparing a final speech, students will learn how to write and organize a speech! All in a fun and supportive environment!

Intermediate Public Speaking - August 2 to August 6 - Have your student continue on with public speaking learning how to write and/or deliver different forms of speeches including poetry and prose, public address or declamation, extemporaneous and impromptu speeches.

Two Week Option - July 26 to August 6 - take both the introduction and intermediate speech class and save on camp!

MOCK TRIAL FOR RISING 4TH THROUGH 9TH GRADERS

August 2 to August 6 - A great opportunity for your student to learn about law and put their debate and public speaking skills to the task as a trial lawyer. Through participating in a fun mock trial, students will learn how to do an opening and closing speech, cross-examine witnesses and organize their ideas. (Students will be separated into groups by grade level)

July 26 to July 30 Students will learn leadership skills that will help them maximize their full potential.  Taught in small group setting and utilizing simulation games and exercises, students are given the skills to expand their horizon and improve their community.  Students are taught how to conquer limiting beliefs and have confidence. (Students will separated into different groups by grade level)

Details:

Times: All Classes run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

*Extended Hours Available - 1 hour earlier starting at 8:30 a.m. and 1 hour later at 5:30 p.m. - Extended Hours Cost is $10 per hour for Before Hours and $10 per hour for After Hours. Extended care must be purchased for entire week - we do not offer day by day extended care. Extended Hours payment made separately - please still pay tuition with application and we will send separate invoice for additional amount at a later date.

Location: Loyola College, Columbia Campus

Costs: $225 for 1 week session; $425 for 2 weeks.

Contact: Ronald Bratt at bratt@capitol-debate.com or 443 538-4992

About the Director:

Ronald Bratt has been involved in competitive academic debate for the past 25 years and has successfully started and grown both high school and college debate programs. From 1998 to 2005, Mr. Bratt started the Catholic University Debate program. In its first year of existence, Catholic Debate advanced to the finals of the American Debate Association. By 2001, Catholic University Debate Program was up to 30 debaters and was ranked number one in the nation by the National Debate Tournament rankings. Additionally, in 2001, Catholic Debate won 2 national titles including the American Debate Association Varsity Championship and the Cross Examination Debate Association Novice National Championship. This feat of winning 2 national titles was replicated in 2003. Mr. Bratt was also instrumental in implementing an Urban Debate League in Washington, D.C. In the fall of 2002, Mr. Bratt was one of the founding directors of the league helping recruit students, establish infrastructure, and train both students and teachers. The league is now strong and vibrant. On the international arena, Mr. Bratt worked closely with the International Debate Educational Association in 2003 to bring nearly 50 high school students from 6 countries in Southeastern Europe to the United States to learn leadership and debate. The following year, Mr. Bratt brought about 35 students from 7 countries including Russia, China, Haiti, Argentina, and South Africa to train and compete at the National Forensics League National Tournament. On the training side, Mr. Bratt started the nation’s leading high school debate institute, the Capitol Classic Debate Institute. At its height, the Capitol Classic Debate Institute drew over 225 students from nearly 30 states to reside at Catholic University for periods of 3 to 7 weeks. Numerous national high school debate champions graduated from this debate institute.

John Arnold, Pubic Speaking Instructor
Centennial High School Teacher

Mr. Arnold is the head coach of Centennial High School's award winning Speech and Debate team. Mr. Arnold's Speech and Debate team is one of the top teams in Maryland with his freshman teams being ranked in the top 20 in the nation in 2008 and his Varsity teams advancing the national championships. Mr. Arnold received his B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh and his M.Ed from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Arnold was won many awards as a speech competitor for Calvert Hall. He presently teaches ESOL at Centennial High School and is returning back for his second year of teaching public speaking. He was formerly a fourth grade teacher in Pittsburgh.

Katherine Volpe, Public Speaking Instructor
Wilde Lake High School Teacher

Katherine Volpe has been teaching at Wilde Lake HS for 2 years. She teaches American History (9th grade).  Ms. Volpe is the coach and sponsor for the Mock Trial Team at Wilde Lake.  She participated in Mock Trial in High School and love the challenge of arguing out the facts. She comes from NY, where she attended St. Joseph's College and recieved a degree in Social Studies with a certificate in Seconday Education.  Her minor was in pyschology.  She is a certified teacher in New York and also in Maryland. She has been with Capital Debate for over 1 year teaching Speech I and II and Mock Trial.

Tianna Johnson, Mock Trial Instructor
Howard University Professor

Ms. Johnson teaches undergraduate courses in Communication Law, Negotiation & Conflict Resolution and Mock Trial. Ms. Johnson has worked as a law clerk in Florida and Maryland and currently works as a legal consultant for a major telecommunications corporation. She is the Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Forensics Society and also serves as a Coach for the Howard University MLK Mock Trial Team. Prior to her appointment as Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Forensics Society and a full-time faculty member in the Department of Communication and Culture, Tianna Y. Sousa-Johnson, J.D. has worked as a Team Relations Executive with a Fortune 500 company, an Adjunct Professor at Howard University and a Law Clerk in the Office of the General Counsel at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Tianna Y. Sousa-Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University in Human Communication Studies and a Juris Doctorate degree from the St. Thomas University School of Law. As an undergraduate student she was a member of the MLK Mock Trial Team, among other school related activities, and has successfully competed in both regional and national tournaments.

Cayman Giordano, Debate Instructor
Howard High School Debate Coach, University of Maryland Debate Coach

Cayman Giordano is the head coach of Howard High School Debate Team and the University of Maryland Debate Team. His high school debate team won almost every regional tournament they entered last year and his top debater just received a prestigious 2nd speaker award at the Harvard Debate Tournament. Mr. Giordano is returning for his second summer as instructor in the debate camp.