Information/Application Forms Now Available
Visit claremontsummer.online

The Claremont Colleges Debate Union sponsors debate and leadership and professional workshops on campus throughout the summer. Instruction is designed to accommodate new and experienced students. There are commuting and residential options (depending on Claremont McKenna College opening facilities during the pandemic – the college is currently closed). There are three programs for high school students – two debate sessions and a leadership/professional communication session. There are 5 additional debate and leadership/scholars sessions for middle school students. Programs are designed to mirror the academic experience at Claremont McKenna College – small group instruction, low student to staff ratio (approximately 4-to-1), comprehensive programming, and significant additional training in supplemental and elective sessions, after-summer training and internship opportunities during the academic year. More than 300 students participated in 2020 summer online programs.

High school students on campus meet with admission officers for insight into the college application process, as well as financial aid. They receive seminar instruction on non-fiction writing from a consultant to the college’s Center for Writing and Public Discourse. In 2020, students had keynote or elective presentations on entrepreneurial skill-building, time management, and digital and social media branding and use.

Middle school students may attend any or all of the (1) 3 debate sessions in the MSPDP format, including a SuperSession with an integrated summer championship tournament and (2) 2 Scholars Programs – leadership/professional communication sessions.

In 2020, the summer session added 4 free supplemental debate tournaments, 2 for each of the middle school and high school groups. Summer students are invited periodically to participate in national and international debate, public event, and leadership communication programming during the academic year. Summer students receive argumentation and public speaking updates, leadership support, and newsletters during the academia year.

For detailed information on Summer 2021 programs, including application forms, please visit claremontsummer.online.