Program Descriptions

5 Week Zag Scholars. June 23 - July 28  

The Scholars Program are our top labs at the GDI and as such are the most difficult to get into. This is a 5 week lab experience for advanced debaters. The typical scholar is entering their junior or senior season, competing on both the national and regional circuits with success, and possesses a strong desire to dive head first into the new topic and its research possibilities. This years program will feature three labs of Scholars. These labs will be lead by Adrienne Brovero/Sarah Lundeen, Geoff Lundeen/Steve Pointer, and Jason Russell/Joe LeDuc.  In order to be considered for admission students should submit a letter of recommendation along with their application for admission.   

5 Week Sophomores. June 23 - July 28

The 5 week Sophomores lab at the 2011 GDI will once again offer an intensive 5 week program designed for rising sophomores preparing  to make a jump to the next level.   This is basically a Scholars Lab for some of the best, brightest and most dedicated sophomores. This lab will be taught by Eric Lanning (Michigan State), Leah Moczulski (Gonzaga) and Jim Schultz (Idaho State). Leah and Eric debated together at the Woodlands HS and reached the Semi Finals of the TOC in 2007. Both have gone on to successful careers in college with Leah earning a first round bid to the NDT in 2011 and Eric winning the 2010 National Debate Tournament. 

4 Week Varsity Program. June 30 - July 28 (Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors)

The 4 Week Programs traditionally attract juniors, and seniors, as well as a few sophomores, who are looking for a challenging lab environment that combines a heavy focus and emphasis on research along with plenty of opportunities for practice and skill work. The Four Week Lab is taught by four of our long time faculty and very successful college coaches: JP Lacy, Adam Symonds, Izak Dunn and Malcolm Gordon.  Combined this group has won 3 national titles, earned multiple first round bids, and coach untold numbers of teams to elimination rounds at major college tournaments. Upon arrival you, will have the opportunity to begin debating immediately with files produced by faculty and Scholars.  You will primarily spend the first 1-2 weeks focusing extensively on original research and argument development. Practice debates, speech redos, and lectures will intensify during the last 2 weeks of your program culminating in the GDI tournament, a 6 round tournament clearing to a double octa finals.

2 Week Programs. July 14 - 28 (Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors)

The 2 week programs were the first programs offered at the GDI and they continue to be among our most popular.  All these programs are truly "immersion" programs in the sense that they pack the best of all our programs into a 2 week experience.  These programs will all feature a research component, daily lectures, skills work, and practice debates/speeches.  Students will begin their first week receiving lectures from our "core curriculum", working on research and argument development,  as well as participating in skill work, practice debate, and individualized and small group instruction in lab. The last week of institute will focus almost exclusively on practice debating and lab work culminating in the GDI Tournament, a 6 rounds tournament clearing to double octafinals.  The instructors for our 2 week program include some of our most experienced faculty such as Kevin Hamrick, Mike Hester, Scott Odekirk, and Judd Kimball. If you want to get the most out of 2 weeks of debate camp this is the program for you. You will not find a better 2 week institute experience anywhere in the nation. 

Novice Program. July 14 - 28

The Novice Program is designed for students with little to no policy debate experience. This program is taught by James Roland (Emory University) and Tiara Naputi (University of Texas). You can visit our faculty website to view the faculty profiles for these outstanding educators. Students will focus on skills building and learning the fundamentals of speaking and advocacy.   The primary focus for this lab is skills development through intensive practice regiment and skills development course.  Throughout the institute students will receive lectures on a wide variety of topics designed for this skill level.  Please visit the Novice Program site for a more detailed description of everything this program can offer.