KU Debate Camp

Registration is now open!
Online Registration

The Jayhawk Debate Institute at the University of Kansas is a premier high school debate camp providing first class instruction at an exceptional value. The JDI offers students of all levels of debate experience the opportunity to further their development through a low student-to-staff ratio and interaction with exceptional faculty. Over the history of the JDI, students attending the camp have garnered strong competitive records at national and regional competitions.

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The KU Campus

The Jayhawk Debate Institute will occur this year on the following dates:
  • 2 week camp: June 30 - July 13, 2013
  • 3 week camp: June 30 - July 20, 2013
  • Coaches Workshop: TBA

The Jayhawk Debate Institute is an attractive camp for several reasons!

  • Low tuition: Tuition covers basic student expenses during the workshop: room, board, instruction, evidence, and library borrowing privileges. Included in tuition is access to Watkins Health Center, one of the top university health facilities, for all minor medical needs. You may be wondering why tuition slightly increased this year; this is to cover the costs for each student. The cost to run the camp has increased significantly over the years, but our tuition has not. Our old tuition prices were not covering the room and board for the students, and the prices are designed to better cover these expenses. However, our tuition is still hundreds of dollars less than many comparable camps, and when you include travel costs and everything included in tuition, you will find KU to be the best option for your money.

New This Year:
  • Pay Tuition and Room and Board Online! Simply follow this link to our pay system to pay with a credit card BEFORE June 30th to make use of this new opportunity. Remember, you may not use this system to pay the deposit for the camp, and need your registration number for paying the deposit (from the check you send in) in order to use the online pay system. Questions? Email us: jayhawkdebateinstitute@gmail.com


    •   With Room & Board Without Room & Board
    2 week $1500 $900
    3 week $1800 $1100
    Coaches Workshop N/A $50 (Sign up using the registration form below)

  • Easy travel: KU's proximity to Kansas City International Airport (MCI) makes flights less expensive than to many locations. Several shuttle and limousine services can deliver students to the front door of the residence hall. More information can be found on the Frequently Asked Questions page.

  • Low student-staff ratio: All labs at the institute are guaranteed to have a student-to-staff ratio of no greater than 8:1. Research and work time is supervised by institute staff to facilitate students' progress

  • Proven Record: Over the past several years, students attending the Jayhawk Debate Institute have returned strong competitive records in national and regional competitions.

  • Great Residence Halls: All students stay in air-conditioned rooms. The dormitory housing staff provides 24-hour security in all residence halls, with staffed entries and roving security patrols. Meals are served in the dining commons, which provides a variety of service options, including pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and an extensive salad bar. Watch here for residence hall updates. Information about the specific dorm we will be housed in will come closer to camp.


How to Register

We have moved the registration process online.  Please complete the online registration, and we will email you confirmation as soon as it has been processed. 

Registration/Application Information
Deadlines:
2 and 3 week camps- June 1 or when dorm space fills.  The numbers we accept for these camps is limited primarily by the space we have in the dormitories for residents.  We will accept registration for campers staying at the dorms until our space fills or June 1.  Commuter registration will be accepted until June 1. 

Coaches’ Workshop- We will accept registration for the coaches; workshop through June 30, 2013.  Late registration may be available depending on space.  If you wish to register after this date, please fill out the registration form and email it to us.  We will let you know if we have space.

What happens after the online registration?
For JDI 2 and 3 week residents- Please mail your deposit as soon as possible to complete your application.  Please make your $100 check payable to Jayhawk Debate Institute. This check will hold your spot at the camp and will serve as your room and key deposit.  This cash will not be cashed before the camp.  If the student does not damage the room or lose his/her key, the check will be returned to you at the end of the camp.  The check can be mailed to:
Natalie Pennington
Associate Debate Institute Director
Department of Communication Studies
The University of Kansas
1440 Jayhawk Blvd. - 102 Bailey Hall
Lawrence, KS 66045

For ALL 2&3 week campers- We will confirm your acceptance via email within two-weeks of receiving your application.  We will also email you additional camp information at that time.  If you are a resident we will send a second email once we have received your deposit check.

 

  • The Camps -This page provides general on the institute and specific information on the various camps offered by the Jayhawk Debate Institute.

  • The Faculty and Staff -This page provides a list of the probable staff member of the the Jayhawk Debate Institute and biographical information on each member.

  • Frequently Asked Questions -This page hopes to provide you with answers to the many of the common questions received and further information on the campus and transportation options.

Forms to bring with you on June 30th: Please download and fill these out and bring them with you. You will not be able to attend the camp without all of these forms. Please note that one must be notarized.


Contact Information

The JDI is not a profit earning business endeavor - it is a service we believe is beneficial for high school debaters and coaches. Therefore, the directors of this camp are also involved in coaching our college debate team, attending graduate school, and teaching class. As such it is difficult for us to keep normal business hours during the semester. We will check the email often – thus EMAIL IS THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT US!

E-Mail: jayhawkdebateinstitute@gmail.com

Phone: 785-393-7752. Please note, we do not activate the phone for the camp until registration opens in February. Any questions prior to then should be directed to our email address listed above. Thank you.

Mail: Once registration is available, you can mail the $100 key deposit to:

Natalie Pennington
Associate Debate Institute Director
Department of Communication Studies
The University of Kansas
1440 Jayhawk Blvd. - 102 Bailey Hall
Lawrence, KS 66045


The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.