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In-Person Summer Camp · California

Middle School Debate Camp 
in California

July 11–25, 2027 at University of the Pacific. One or two weeks, residential or commuter, for students in grades 5–9 — no experience needed.

See Pricing & Register Meet With Our Team

At a glance

Two weeks that change how your student speaks

Ascend's California camp is a one- or two-week summer debate program for middle school students, held July 11–25, 2027 on the campus of University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.

Students learn to speak in front of a room, build an argument, and think on their feet — in small groups led by experienced coaches, with one-on-one feedback along the way. Middle schoolers have their own labs, their own coaches, and a curriculum written for their age group. It's open to students in grades 5–9, from first-timers to students who already compete. Tuition runs from $1,999.99 for one commuter week to $3,249.99 for the full two-week residential program at the early registration price (regularly $3,749.99), and financial aid is available.

Dates
July 11–25, 2027One week: July 11–18
Location
University of the PacificStockton, California
Grades
5–9No experience needed
Tuition
$1,999.99 – $3,249.99Early registration pricing · aid available
Options
Residential or commuterCommuters: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Nearest airport
Sacramento (SMF)Shuttle $60 each way
What students learn
Congressional DebateA middle school curriculum
Supervision
Around the clockMedical authority on site
Ascend California students and coaches in front of Knoles Hall at University of the Pacific
Ascend California at University of the Pacific, Stockton.

Sessions & pricing

Choose your session

California runs July 11–25, 2027. Pick one week or two, and whether your student stays on campus or commutes from home.

In-Person California — 2 Week Residential

Early Registration$3,249.99 $3,749.99

California residential program, July 11–25, 2027 (2 weeks). Early registration saves $500.

  • Residential (lodging included)
  • Live expert coaching in small groups
  • Daily mock rounds + workshops
  • One-on-one coaching
Register & Pay

In-Person California — 2 Week Commuter / 1 Week Residential

$2,599.99

California: 2-week commuter (July 11–25, 2027) or 1-week residential (July 11–18, 2027).

  • Commuter or 1-week residential
  • Live expert coaching in small groups
  • Daily mock rounds + workshops
  • One-on-one coaching
Register & Pay

In-Person California — 1 Week Commuter

$1,999.99

California 1-week commuter program, July 11–18, 2027.

  • 1-week commuter
  • Live expert coaching in small groups
  • Daily mock rounds + workshops
  • One-on-one coaching
Register & Pay

Need financial aid? Email info@ascendspeech.org or schedule a call. Closer to the East Coast? See our Florida camp, June 25 – July 9.

What your student learns

Real skills. Real practice. Every day.

We teach through Congressional Debate, where students act as members of Congress: they give short speeches for or against a proposed law, take questions from their peers, and respond to what's already been said. It blends public speaking with research and argument — the best starting point we know for a new debater.

🎤

Speaking with confidence

Students speak in front of a room every day, so standing up and being heard stops feeling scary and starts feeling normal.

🧠

Building an argument

How to make a clear point, back it with evidence, and explain why it matters — a skill that carries into every class.

⚡

Thinking on their feet

Answering questions and responding to other speakers teaches students to listen closely and react calmly under pressure.

🌍

Understanding real issues

Topic lectures and research time help students get to grips with the issues facing the country and see more than one side.

🤝

One-on-one coaching

On average, each student gets individual time with a coach every other day, with feedback aimed at exactly where they are.

🏆

An end-of-camp tournament

Camp builds toward a final tournament where students put everything into practice — the proudest moment of the session.

A sample camp day

Small labs. Full days.

Middle school students have their own programming at camp: their own labs, coaches who specialize in middle schoolers, and a curriculum written for their age group. Each student is placed in a lab — a small group at a similar experience level that trains together for the whole session. The lab is where most of the learning happens — practice rounds, drills, feedback, and lectures — and it's where students make their closest friends at camp.

TimeActivity
8:00–9:00Breakfast & informal check-in
9:00–10:30Mock debate round 1
10:30–12:30Skill workshops — core concepts
12:30–1:30Lunch
1:30–3:00Strategy & drills lab
3:00–5:00One-on-one coaching & topic lectures
5:00–6:00Mock debate round 2
6:00–7:00Dinner
7:00–9:00Office hours & individual support

Camp should be fun, too

Mornings start with warm-up games on the lawn. Evenings and the middle weekend leave room for basketball, soccer, swimming, karaoke, movie nights, arts and crafts, and calling home. Opening day is all welcome and no pressure: students check in, tour campus, meet every coach, and play get-to-know-you games, and first-timers can watch a round before they jump in.

Safety & supervision

Safety is a prerequisite to learning

Sending your student to a residential program is a big decision. Here is how we look after them, every hour of every day.

🕐

Around-the-clock supervision

Students are supervised at all times, with full-time staff living on site and nightly room checks before lights-out.

⚕️

Medical authority on site

Our Director of Health is on site for the entire program for both physical and mental health needs.

✅

Background-checked staff

Every staff member is background-checked under California law. Your student is taught by experienced coaches.

🏫

A secure university campus

University of the Pacific has its own 24/7 public safety department, and staff are present in the residence halls.

💬

No student struggles alone

Homesickness and nerves are normal. From day one, students are told exactly who to go to, and every adult is trained to listen.

📞

Parents stay connected

You can reach us at any hour during camp through a dedicated 24/7 contact line.

Three Ascend students on the lawn at University of the Pacific

Getting there

Families come from all over the country

More than 60% of students at Ascend California typically travel from outside the state. Camp is held at University of the Pacific, 3601 Pacific Avenue in Stockton — about an hour's drive from Sacramento and within driving distance of the Bay Area.

Flying in? Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is the closest major airport. Ascend runs a shuttle between SMF and campus for $60 each way. Plan to arrive on July 11 between 9am and 3pm. One-week students head home on July 18; two-week students on July 25, with shuttle service for flights after 10am.

Who coaches

Coaches who do this for a living

Camp is directed by Quest Sandel, Co-Founder of Ascend and Head Coach at James Logan High School, alongside Aditya Chordiya, who leads Ascend's middle school program year-round. Middle school labs are led by coaches who work specifically with middle schoolers, teaching a curriculum built for them — your student learns from people with years of experience, not first-year volunteers. Ascend has coached more than 1,000 students since 2019.

Meet our leadership

Keep going after camp

Summer is where many students start. The ones who grow fastest keep practicing: Ascend's online School Year Team runs September through June with weekly coaching on Zoom and tournaments throughout the year.

Questions

Common questions

Yes. No experience is needed. Middle school students are placed in small groups, called labs, with others at a similar level, so a first-timer learns alongside other first-timers while experienced debaters are pushed further.
Students in grades 5–9. If your student is outside those grades and interested, schedule a call and we'll talk through the right fit.
No. Middle school students have their own programming at camp: their own labs, coaches who specialize in middle schoolers, and a curriculum written for their age group.
Students act as members of Congress. They give short speeches for or against a proposed law, answer questions from the other students, and learn to respond to what has already been said. It combines public speaking with research and argument, which is why we recommend it for students who are new to speech and debate.
Residential students live on campus for their session, with lodging included and staff supervision around the clock. Commuter students are dropped off at 9:00am and picked up at 6:00pm each day.
Yes. More than 60% of students at Ascend California typically travel from other states. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is the closest major airport, and Ascend runs a shuttle between SMF and campus for $60 each way.
Arrive on July 11, 2027 between 9am and 3pm; shuttle service is available that day. One-week students leave on July 18 (no shuttle that day). Two-week students leave on July 25, with shuttle service for flights after 10am.
Students are supervised at all times, with full-time staff living on site and nightly room checks. A medical authority is on site for the whole program, every staff member is background-checked under California law, and University of the Pacific has its own 24/7 public safety department. Parents can reach us at any hour through a dedicated contact line.
It's normal, and we plan for it. From the first day students are told to go straight to a trusted adult if they're homesick, anxious, or having a hard time. Every coach and staff member is trained to listen and connect the student with the right person, including our on-site Director of Health.
Yes. Email info@ascendspeech.org or schedule a call to discuss your request.
Because of costs we take on before the summer begins, we're unable to offer refunds. If a conflict comes up, you can defer your enrollment to the following summer by May 31.
Many students continue on Ascend's online School Year Team, which runs September through June with weekly coaching on Zoom and tournaments throughout the year.
Pick a time on our Calendly and we'll call you, or email info@ascendspeech.org.

Spots are limited each session.

Schedule a call to check availability and find the right session for your student.

See Pricing & Register Meet With Our Team