Yale Summer Debate Program

About

The Yale Summer Debate Program is an intensive five-day experience designed to equip middle and high school students with the tools of parliamentary debate. Its mission is rooted in the belief that debate is not merely a competition but a foundational set of skills for critical thinking, public speaking, and global engagement. Participants receive instruction from a "world-class" staff of Yale debaters, maintaining a low 1:10 instructor-to-student ratio to ensure personalized feedback. Core activities include customized lessons on argument construction and refutation, elective seminars on topics like moral philosophy and international relations, and practice rounds. The program concludes with a day-long tournament where students apply their skills in a formal competitive setting judged by experienced debaters.

Timeline

• Yale Summer Debate Program

  Aug 18, 2025 – Aug 22, 2025