Debate Camp Canada

Welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen. I am here to speak to you today about Debate Camp Canada, which is running a week-long camp for young debaters at Brentwood College School. The camp began on Monday, July 6th with a timid smile to strangers and ends today, Friday, July 10th, with a farewell wave to friends.  I will be speaking to you about three main themes of Debate Camp: learning new skills, building self-confidence, and, last but not least, having fun! The expert counsellors at Debate Camp Canada (including our very own Kevin Dada, Whittall ‘15) are devoted to helping young debaters build and improve their public speaking and argumentation skills. Throughout the week, these wonderfully talented people worked tirelessly to give tips and constructive feedback to campers, allowing all young debaters’ skill level to rise, if not skyrocket. Through twice-daily debates (fewer for younger campers), many informative seminars, and an abundance of helpful suggestions, no one was left without new abilities. As confidence was one of the many skills taught and fostered at Debate Camp, this leads me to my next point.  As everyone knows, standing up and delivering a speech in front of a crowd can be absolutely terrifying. Debate is no different but, with knees shaking and palms sweating, each and every camper was encouraged in presenting his or her side of a debate multiple times throughout the week. Most were inexperienced debaters and public speakers, so delivering a speech confidently and convincingly seemed unattainable – a bit like trying to fly to the moon.  Well, there must be some future astronauts among us because they certainly got there! By the end of the week, it was safe to say that the self-confidence level was so much higher in each debater that no knees were bruised and notes stayed dry. One could even go so far as to say that the campers were having fun at Debate Camp! From the daily news show, Mars and Mwanza in the Morning, to innumerable games of Huckle-Buckle, Debate Camp offered countless chances to laugh and have fun. Even some of the debates were funny, such as the example debate where four counselors discussed whether or not Santa Claus is a bad influence, and the backwards debate that ended with a romantic leap off the dock! Add these to jokes and love poems left for the room inspector and read aloud, and it is certain that no camper could have found a way not to enjoy the week.    Along with hosting the Debate Camp Canada and having Kevin join the ranks of counsellors, three Brentwood students participated as campers: Afyz M, Privett ’17, Kavi G, Whittall ’17, and Hannah R, Mackenzie ’18. Besides being some of the most experienced debaters, Kavi and Afyz certainly spiced up the UN simulation with heated arguments between their countries, Brazil and Iran!   In all, Brentwood’s Debate Camp was an excellent opportunity to enhance debate and public speaking skills, boost self-confidence, and have fun!  I thank you for your time and wish all an enjoyable summer! Hannah R, Mackenzie ‘18