Summer Debate Camps

We run in-person, half-day and full-day commuter camps for 5th to 12th grade students in Bergen & Essex County, New Jersey. Join hundreds of students every summer!

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Summer 2026 Offerings

Session 1

Session 1

June 29 - July 10

Grades 6-8

Model UN &
Young Entrepreneurship

at Fort Lee, Livingston

PF Labs

at Glen Rock

Intro to Debate

at Glen Rock

Morning: 9:30-12:00
Afternoon: 12:45-3:15
Full Day: 9:30-3:15

Session 2

July 13 - 24

Grades 6-8

Model UN &
Young Entrepreneurship

at Fort Lee, Glen Rock, Livingston

Morning: 9:30-12:00
Afternoon: 12:45-3:15
Full Day: 9:30-3:15

Session 3

July 27 - Aug 7

Grades 6-8

Model UN &
Young Entrepreneurship

at Glen Rock, White Plains

PF Labs

at Fort Lee, Livingston

Intro to Debate

at Fort Lee, Livingston

Morning: 9:30-12:00
Afternoon: 12:45-3:15
Full Day: 9:30-3:15

Session 4

Aug 10 - 21

Grades 6-8

PF Labs

at Fort Lee, Livingston, White Plains

Intro to Debate

White Plains

Full Day: 9:30-3:15

August Intensive!

August 24 - 28 (Fort Lee, Livingston)

Full Day Session: 9:30-3:15

Register for Summer 2026

Camp Details

Summer Workshops
Intro to Debate
Summer PF Labs
August Intensive

Morning / Afternoon Options

Grade 6-8 in coming Fall

The Morning Program offers a series of modules for students to enhance their listening skills, form critical thinking directives, constructively work in teams, and participate in Model United Nations. All of the classes provide myriad opportunities for students to improve their public speaking prowess. We emphasize to our students how to think logically when faced with challenges and puzzles in an individual and collective setting. Students who have prior debate knowledge are placed into a competitive, yet less daunting environment. Both novice and experienced students will learn to apply their knowledge and theories in a completely new manner, and most importantly, they will have fun along the way!

The Afternoon Program provides a collective of modules for students to improve their presentation skills, expand their critical thinking capabilities, work harmoniously in teams, and participate in the Young Entrepreneurship Seminar. Each of the classes emphasize the significance of public speaking, and students are taught how to properly construct their rhetoric in a manner that encompasses logos, pathos, and ethos. Students who have prior experience in debate will be placed into a new setting that removes them from the strict format of argumentation, and so, both novice and experienced students start on an equal foundation. The games, puzzles, and challenges that students will face are foremost fun and students will understand how to analyze the shortcoming and excellence of both themselves and their classmates. ​

Students enrolled in the Full Day (morning and afternoon) experience receive the best of both sessions with no overlap. All of the students will receive a fourty-five minute break after the end of the Morning Session at Noon before resuming at 12:45 PM for the second half of the Program. This cohort will be able to participate in a full-day’s worth of brain teasers, puzzles, and challenges that will test their listening comprehension, note-taking effectiveness, analytical capabilities, presentation skills, critical thinking prowess, and participate in both Model United Nation and the Young Entrepreneurship Seminar. Students will not repeat any lessons offered in both of the Sessions. All of our students previously enrolled in the Full Day experience have noted how much they’ve grown in our short time together, and this is reflected in their work ethic, public speaking, and characters. We are eager to join you on your journey to enjoying the Full Day experience and we know that every single day, regardless of the lessons that are synthesized, you will have fun each step of the way!
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Grade 6-8 in coming Fall

Our Intro to Debate course is the perfect starting point for 5th–9th grade students who are brand new to public speaking and Public Forum debate. Designed with beginners in mind, this class builds confidence while teaching the essential skills that make debate both fun and impactful.

Students receive step-by-step instruction in research, case writing, and response generation, along with targeted practice in public speaking, teamwork, and current events awareness. Each class features engaging drills and practice debates, giving students plenty of opportunities to put their skills into action in a supportive environment.

To ensure the best learning experience, students are grouped by age level, so they can practice alongside peers at a similar stage of development. This balance of independent learning and partner collaboration helps students grow as speakers, thinkers, and teammates.

Best of all, new students who complete Intro to Debate during the summer have the opportunity to skip the 2/3A level courses in the fall and advance directly into 2/3B. This advanced placement also makes them automatically eligible for our competitive travel team, giving motivated students a head start on their debate journey.
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Grade 7-9 in coming Fall

Our PF Labs centralize on the analyses of the two potential topics for the months of September and October. Gaining as much background and specific knowledge as possible through structured topic analyses will give our students a competitive advantage at the start of the debate season. Students from previous PF Labs have consistently cited their time with us over the Summer as a significant reason for their impressive track-records in state-level and national-level tournaments throughout September and October. The incoming cohort will be split into the appropriate classes based on their class level during the academic year, age, and grade.

Who should enroll?
PF Labs are intended for students with at least one year of prior experience in debate (at or beyond Level 2B) with intentions to start competing in the upcoming debate season. The grade levels potential students must be within the range of rising 7th graders to rising 9th graders. The students enrolling in PF Labs do not need background knowledge on the September/October topics.
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Grade 7-12 in coming Fall

The August Intensive Program is designed to ensure that students have the greatest comparative advantage possible when travelling to state-level and national-level tournaments. Students in the August Intensive Program are asked to prepare beforehand for the upcoming two topics (for September/October) when it is listed on the NSDA website. Although a topic analysis will be provided in-depth, the Program operates with more success when students come prepared. The incoming class will be divided based on age, grade level, and existing and/or potential partnerships.  


Who should enroll?

The August Intensive Program is for students who have competed previously in a state-level or national-level tournament with BDC or through school affiliation. Enrollment is invite-only and is intended for students seeking to secure bids.

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Over 4,000 happy families love sharing their love for BDC

"By participating in BDC's countless practice sessions, lessons with encouraging coaches, and public speaking exercises, I have not only made everlasting friendships with my fellow debate members, but it has also paved the way for who I am today. I would have never known my full potential without BDC's outstanding program."

Ella Kim

Level 2B Alum

"Through countless sessions with coaches and many tournaments with BDC, I have been able to learn so many things about world relations and debate as a whole. Bergen Debate helped foster an environment that helped me not only grow as a debater but also as a person. I have met some of the smartest people I know through BDC. The coaches are some of the best teachers I have ever had. They have helped me grow in a myriad of ways and I will be forever grateful for the knowledge they have shared with me."

Stephen Tomeo

Level 2C Alum

"Through many tournaments and prep sessions, one of the best parts of being at BDC is being able to work and practice with peers and coaches. No matter what, everyone helps each other and wants the team to succeed. My favorite memory was participating in the Harvard Tournament in person.  Being with like minded people who care about the same things is what makes BDC a welcoming and supportive community to all."

Isabella Tomeo

Level 2C Alum

"Joining BDC has been an amazing experience. Through their rigorous training and supportive community, I’ve not only honed my public speaking skills but also developed the confidence to articulate my ideas effectively. The club’s emphasis on critical thinking and respectful discourse has empowered me to engage with diverse perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of complex issues. The skills I’ve gained extend beyond the classroom"

Kierra DCosta

Level 2G Alum

“BDC has brought so many wonderful memories into our home. It seems like it was just yesterday that Stephen and Isabella attended their first class. I remember their very first debate tournament and I’m amazed at how far they have both come. Debate has taught them so many lifelong skills. BDC is there to help you every step of the way, whether it’s for the weekly classes or tournaments. There’s really no place like BDC!”

Christina Tomeo

BDC Parent

"Joining BDC has been an amazing experience. Through their rigorous training and supportive community, I’ve not only honed my public speaking skills but also developed the confidence to articulate my ideas effectively. The club’s emphasis on critical thinking and respectful discourse has empowered me to engage with diverse perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of complex issues. The skills I’ve gained extend beyond the classroom"

Amelia Liu

BDC Alum

Frequently Asked Questions

Refund Policy
Our policy on refunds is dependent on the timing of cancellations. You will see a copy of our policy below, and you will also see and agree to this policy as part of the registration process. We make significant advance commitments to our faculty and our college/university hosts in order to provide an excellent experience for our students. Accordingly, we need to depend on the assumption that registrations will translate into our true headcount for students at sessions. Of course, we never like to see a student not receiving value for their registration. If scheduling concerns arise after reserving your spot at an NSD camp, we are happy to assist students in transferring to other sessions over the summer and/or to finding alternative summer debate education options, such as tutoring or online sessions.
1. 30% of your total required payment is a non-refundable deposit. This deposit cannot be refunded under any circumstances.
2. After February 1st, any cancellation will require that 45% of your total required payment is non-refundable. Any outstanding balance is still required to be paid.
3. After March 1st, any cancellation will require that 60% of your total required payment is non-refundable. Any outstanding balance is still required to be paid.
4. After April 1st, any cancellation will require that 75% of your total required payment is non-refundable. Any outstanding balance is still required to be paid.
5. After May 1st, any cancellation will require that your total required payment is wholly non-refundable. After May 1st, no refunds of any amount will be given. Any outstanding balance is still required to be paid.
What does the Price Cover?
For online sessions, the price of camp covers tuition. For residential students attending in-person sessions, the price of camp covers tuition, room, and board (meals). For commuters, the price covers tuition and board (meals), but does not cover a dormitory room. Our meal plan covers lunch and dinner. We have found that very few students utilize the breakfast option when it is available, so we removed it from our meal plan. However, at each of our camp locations, breakfast options are readily available for students who wish to eat breakfast. Those options are simply not included in the meal plan itself.
Where Students Stay  
For online sessions, the price of camp covers tuition. For residential students attending in-person sessions, the price of camp covers tuition, room, and board (meals). For commuters, the price covers tuition and board (meals), but does not cover a dormitory room. Our meal plan covers lunch and dinner. We have found that very few students utilize the breakfast option when it is available, so we removed it from our meal plan. However, at each of our camp locations, breakfast options are readily available for students who wish to eat breakfast. Those options are simply not included in the meal plan itself.
Student Supervision and Safety  
Students are consistently supervised by a mix of NSD teaching faculty, dedicated student life administrators, college/university dorm staff, and college/university security. Here is how supervision works on a typical day:In the morning, as they head to their first class, students are checked out of the dormitory by our student life administrators. Students then walk to our classrooms. Within a set of reasonable parameters, students have some freedom about where they eat lunch and dinner, and we elongate meal times so that students have some time to relax, socialize, and do work with their peers during the day. However, students are checked in to each curriculum activity they participate in throughout the day, so that student attendance is consistently tracked throughout the day. After evening classes, students are checked back into the dormitory building by our student life administrators. In the dorm, students have free time and the opportunity to participate in office hours, after which they are then checked in to their individual dorm rooms by our student life administrators.Student dormitory rooms and floor areas are separated by gender, and students are not permitted to be alone in their dorm room with other students with the door closed. Our student life administrators, as well as college/university staff, are on hand throughout the day and night to help address any issues that arise. During camp, parents have direct contact information for our student life administrators, so that they can always reach us with any questions or concerns.
What is the safety and supervision like at NSD?
NSD has dedicated dormitory staff whose sole job is to answer calls and needs of students 24/7. We hire adults who have experience caring for students to focus on this job, and they have no teaching obligations. We take security seriously. Additionally, we construct perimeters for students that limit where students are allowed to go at camp, as well as having mandatory check-ins and check-outs in the morning and evening of each camp day. Students must be checked in at the beginning of each lab or instructional session, and our dormitory staff always ensure that every student is accounted for. There is no large block of time where students are unsupervised, and each staff member is responsible to ensure that students are safe and cared for throughout camp.
Medication & Health Needs
Once you register for camp, you will have access to NSD’s student and family portal, where you will complete a number of supplemental registration forms in preparation for camp, e.g. forms where you tell us about your student’s important health information and previous debate experience. These forms allow you to tell us the key information that enables us to give students a safe and educational camp experience.Among these supplemental forms, you will find forms concerning medications that students will be bringing to camp, as well as forms concerning other health or medical needs of your student.In most cases, we ask that our student life administrators keep and dispense student medications. We find that students who are away from home may not keep careful track of their medication or when they need to take it. If students check in their medication with our student life administrators, then we can make sure they take it, on schedule and as prescribed. Of course, in some cases, it is important or preferred for a student to keep their medication in their possession. We can arrange for this, as appropriate, with permission and discussion with the student’s parents. You will find a place to note this on your student’s health forms in the student and family portal to which you receive access after completing registration.
Dining
Our meal plan covers lunch and dinner, and students and faculty are covered by the meal plan to eat in nearby college/university cafeterias and dining facilities. Students also have the option to eat in nearby cafes and restaurants (in groups, within a permitted perimeter). We have found that very few students utilize the breakfast option when it is available, so we removed it from our meal plan. However, at each of our camp locations, breakfast options are readily available for students who wish to eat breakfast. Those options are simply not included in the meal plan itself.College/university dining facilities are able to accommodate a wide range of dietary needs and restrictions, as well as food allergies. Once you register for camp, you will have access to NSD’s student and family portal, where you will complete a number of supplemental registration forms in preparation for camp, e.g. forms where you tell us about your student’s important health information and previous debate experience. These forms allow you to tell us the key information that enables us to give students a safe and educational camp experience. Among these supplemental forms, you will find a dietary needs form where you can report dietary restrictions and food allergies. We gather this information from all students and report it to our college/university dining partners in advance, so that they can accommodate our needs.

YOUR JOURNEY TO EXCELLENCE BEGINS TODAY

In-person after school debate classes for 5th-12th students, summer camps, national travel team and private lessons

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