Boston Debate League

Summer at BDL

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It's not summer without debate

Every summer, before the start of the next debate season, the Boston Debate League hosts a series of summer learning communities for debaters, coaches, and teachers through our Debate Camp, Summer Coach Camp, and Grad Class. Join us this summer to learn a new skill, identify strategies to foster an engaged debate team or deepen your insights and reflections about your own practice – all while having a little fun! Register and learn more about each opportunity below.

Debate Camp

July 17 - August 11, from 8:30am – 3:00pm | Madison Park High School (75 Malcolm X Blvd, Boston, MA 02120)

The Boston Debate League’s Debate Camp provides an excellent opportunity for students to spend time this summer engaged in debate and argumentation, to develop their public speaking and leadership skills, and to learn about the Policy Debate topic for next year.   Learn more | Register

Summer Coach Camp

August 7 - 11, 8:30am - 3:00 pm | Madison Park High School (75 Malcolm X Blvd, Boston, MA 02120)

The Boston Debate League’s Summer Coach Camp provides debate coaches an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming debate season, build their debate knowledge and coaching skills, and be in a learning community with other amazing debate coaches.   Learn more | Register

Grad Class

August 14-18, from 9:00am - 5:00pm | In-person, Suffolk University

The Boston Debate League’s Grad Class offers a weeklong course where teachers will learn to use a variety of debate-like activities to foster student engagement. As part of an interdisciplinary mix of upper elementary to high school educators, teachers will step into the role of learner, debrief your experiences as educators, and collaborate in learning communities within and across content and disciplines.   Learn more | Register

Coach Crash Course

Early September, time, date and location TBD

The Boston Debate League’s Coach Crash Course provides debate coaches who were unable to attend the Summer Coach Camp an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming debate season, build their debate knowledge and coaching skills, and be in a learning community with other amazing debate coaches.

Kelly Cody, Senior Volunteer Manager, joined BDL in 2021
Joshua Nixon, ASD and Resolved Program Manager, joined BDL in
Douglas Matute
Douglas Matute, Program Manager for Debate en Español, joined BDL in 2022
Ranner Faugas, Assistant Director of After-School Debate, joined BDL in
Roger Nix, Assistant Director of After School Debate, joined BDL in
Carlos Monteiro, Instructional Coach for DI Classrooms, joined BDL in
Sarah Mayper, Senior Instructional Coach for DI Classrooms, joined BDL in
Marisa Suescun, Director of Programs, joined BDL in 2013
Kimberly Bartlett-Ra, Director of Operations, joined BDL in
Kim Willingham, Executive Director of the Boston Debate League , joined BDL in
Jackney Prioly Joseph, Director of External Affairs, joined BDL in September 2020. Jackney leads our efforts to engage and partner with community and corporate organizations to create a community of support for our students. She previously served as Director of College and Career Readiness at the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education. She has diverse leadership experience in education, nonprofits, and city government where she served under Mayor Thomas M. Menino and former City Councilor, now Congresswoman, Ayanna Pressley. A Bryn Mawr and Posse Foundation alum identified for her extraordinary leadership, Jackney works to secure partnerships that will tap and sharpen the leadership skills of our program participants.