Free summer debate camp opportunities

SIGN-UPS NEEDED!

Debaters and Coaches:

Houston Urban Debate League (HUDL) is proud to announce opportunities for FREE summer debate camp. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, partners, and volunteers, HUDL has offered free camp instruction every summer since our founding in 2008. Access to summer debate instruction transforms the lives of the students we serve, and we're excited about this summer's new programs for students at participating HISD and CASE for Kids schools. 

This year, HUDL is offering in-person instruction for students through two partnerships.

University of Texas (Austin) National Institute in Forensics (UTNIF) - June 22-28, 2025.  HUDL is partnering with UTNIF to offer one week of instruction in World Schools and Policy Debate. Click here for more information.

Texas Debate Collective (TDC) - July 13-26, 2025 in San Marcos, TX. HUDL is partnering with TDC to offer two weeks of instruction in Lincoln-Douglas and World Schools. Students interested in attending TDC must apply for financial aid to be eligible for a limited number of scholarships. Click here for more information about TDC.

Space is limited for both camp options. Students/families who wish to be considered in the first wave should sign up by April 4, 2025. Additional opportunities may be extended depending on funding availability.  

Interested students should sign up at this link.

For the University of Texas camp, HUDL will offer supervised transportation for students traveling to Austin and returning to Houston. Parents/guardians will receive additional details once registration and attendance are confirmed. 

There may also be opportunities for virtual instruction in policy debate at the Sonoma Flex Camp. That information has been shared by HISD and CASE for Kids partners. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND COACHES

Is transportation offered for students attending the UT - Austin debate camp? Will that transportation be supervised and/or is it required?

Yes! Students who register for the UTNIF camp will receive additional information concerning the charter vehicle(s) that HUDL will offer. The vehicle will depart on Sunday morning and return the last day of camp on Saturday, upon completion.

HUDL will have volunteers, who have been VIPS background checked, who will ride with students to ensure safety and supervision. Parents will need to authorize student transport and sign waivers accordingly.

Parents and families are not required to use the transportation HUDL offers. Feel free to pursue your own options.

Is transportation offered for students attending the Texas Debate Collective (TDC)?

Students who attend TDC in San Marcos will be responsible for their own transportation.

What if my student wants to attend UT but does not compete in Worlds or Policy? Is this our only option?

If students express interest on the sign-up form for other debate events, like Congress, HUDL will attempt to work with UTNIF to see if there is an opportunity to be added to the other debate programs. HUDL will need demonstrated interest prior to reaching out.

How do I know my student will be safe, secure while attending summer debate camp?

All students who sign up for camp, whether at UT or TDC, are subject to the supervision and rules of the respective camp. Parents and students will be required to follow campus policies, whether during the day in labs or at night in the dorms. Students who violate camp policies may be dismissed and ineligible to continue based upon misbehavior or violation of rules. All camp policies are designed to ensure the well-being of students.

HUDL has been fortunate to offer summer camp opportunities since 2008, when we were founded, and our experience has been that each summer our partner institutions have been successful at protecting the safety and well-being of our students.

Does HUDL provide resources for students to attend the University of Houston debate camp or camps other than UT and TDC?

For summer 2025, HUDL is not funding camp opportunities for camps other than UT and TDC.

Many summer camps offer independent opportunities for UDL students to attend camps at discounted rates. Those opportunities exist separate from HUDL.