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3/18/20 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
Miserable experience - I went to camp here and did not learn that much. Attended other camps as well and found other camps to be better use of value.
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10/4/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I found Capitol Debate online. I read their reviews and knew immediately that this was the place for my son.
My 11 y/o had never been away from me overnight with complete strangers. After the first 2 days, he told me that he wants to go to "Vanderbilt when he grows up b/c the teachers are patient and nice. The students ate too." I told him it wasn't Vanderbilt's program, it was Capitol Debate.
This summer I got the opportunity to watch my 11-year-old son, Justin debate at Capitol Debates' camp located in Nashville at Vanderbilt. I was in complete awe with his performance. My son cross-examined and spoke with such confidence that I've never seen before. He was very proud of himself.
That was the day I concluded that debating is an essential life skill that my son will perfect, and he will perfect that skill through Capitol Debate.
The courses offered are a financial sacrifice that is a necessity in Justin's life. Thank you Capitol Debate for your incredible programs.
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4/19/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Both my children attended Capitol Debate in Dallas, TX last summer. They loved it!!! It was a growing experience, since it was their first time away from home, two weeks on their own. They had a blast!!! The camp was challenging, however the staff combined the hard study time with super fun activities. My children want to do this camp again.
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11/14/17 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
We paid almost $4000 for 2 weeks camp. Thought there would be good personal attention since it was the first sleep away experience for our child who was not very social. However, they have a pay structure that only late registers were charged high. So camp quality reflects the actual cost. With unpleasant roommate who played rap music until 2:00 am and a teammate who was often on video games and ordered my child to work; it was a very unpleasant camp experience.
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8/29/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I could not have been happier with my daughter's summer camp experience at Capitol Debate at American University in Washington DC. From the comprehensive debate prep, to the tournaments, to the fun extracurriculars such as ping pong night, to her 12-year-old self hysterically calling me from her dorm room for my credit card number because her late night debate research crew "needed" to order 30 milkshakes from Seamless (there's a cash limit apparently), the experience was transformative. She is already pleading with me to return next year to continue the cherished friendships from around the country she made at camp. Their topic of Universal Healthcare was not only timely, but having to debate the side she didn't agree with, was a great growth experience for her as well. I highly recommend Capitol Debate Summer Camps!
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7/14/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
As a first year student, I am extremely thankful for all the benefits this camp gave me.Before I came to camp,I had stage fright which made me not be able to speak clearly and have sudden blanks where I completely forget what I would be talking about.I have improved so much in debating due to this Capitol Debate Camp.After a few days I made a complete 180 in my attitude, I was able to speak fluently,I learned how to write cases and think on my feet which help me to be a better debater and speaker.I became better at defense speeches and I was able to speak more clearly when talking.We did fun things such as learning new games everyday. I loved how friendly the staff was and my instructor Mrs.Greene was a joyful lady.She was extremely kind and even asked her daughter to bring desserts for us.Throughout camp I developed friendships,a bond that I hope will last a lifetime.Thank you for letting me have the experience I could only have in a lifetime.I hope to come back next summer.JordanPho
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2/19/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I signed my daughter up for Capitol Debate camp last summer at Babson College. I didn't know what to expect as she is very shy and quiet and doesn't like speaking in class. She was nervous in the beginning but once she started making friends and feeling comfortable, she started getting excited about the camp. When I saw her debate on the last day I was pleasantly surprised at how confident she became and how expressive she was. She enjoyed it so much that she continued on with the Capitol Debate travel team this year. We just finished our last tournament of the year this weekend and I can't begin to tell you how much improvement I have seen in her self esteem this year. She has become so excited about debate and public speaking now and we just signed her up for camp for this summer. I would highly recommend Capitol Debate to anyone!!
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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1/26/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My daughter has attended Capitol Debate for two summers. She loves it. She arrived the first time with no debate experience. Her instructor was excellent. My daughter gained confidence and many new friends that summer. Her ability to participate in class discussions improved. She enjoyed camp so much that she joined the year-round travel team. She enjoys researching the different topics and working with her teammates. Last summer, as an experienced debater, the camp was even more rewarding. Again, the instructor was excellent. My daughter made even more friends and has enjoyed keeping up with them after camp. Each summer, Capitol Debate uses the NSDA topic for debate camp. It is typical for the debaters to focus on a single topic and prepare the pro and con cases. Debate, and specifically the experience with Capitol Debate, gives my daughter joy and confidence.
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1/22/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Our daughter has been attending Capitol Debate Summer Camps for the past 4 years and has been on their team during the year for the past 3 years. We have watched her grow as a competitor each and every year and she has successfully won many awards over the past several years as a competitor with Capitol Debate. Our daughter was just admitted to an ivy league college on early decision and I can't begin to say how instrumental Capitol Debate was in helping her get there. Capitol Debate coaches have incredible backgrounds in debate and helped our daughter grow as a top notch debater and student. The coaches go the extra mile to make a difference in all their student lives and we can't be more appreciative. I have personally witnessed the growth of many kids in the program and I give Capitol Debate my highest recommendation for your child's future.
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1/19/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This camp was honestly life changing for me. Beyond the academics part of it, which were great, this came helped me become the person I am today. The teachers were more than just the old people in the classroom they cared about who and how I was doing. At first I was upset about being told to think about my decisions and being "walked through" my decision making process. Today I credit that experience in challenging me to become a critical thinker. Thank you
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1/18/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I was very hesitant to send my son to any camp but I took a chance because my son really wanted to advance on PF, and I am very happy with my decision. Staff at the camp was very friendly and professional. My son didn't miss me as much as I missed him :). My son had a lot of great ideas but he would not speak up as much, after the camp, he seemed less hesitant, more responsible and a better PF debater & speaker. He started winning speaker awards after camp and PF debates @ local events. Right now, he is part of travel team and he loves it. I see him enjoy his online classes and coaches who are very knowledgeable & approachable/friendly. I would highly recommend Capitol Debate to every parent whose son or daughter wants to learn debate, be a better speaker and while having fun and making great like minded friends.
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1/17/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I personally went to these camps and they changed my experience as a debater and a student overall. 1) the instruction ensured my success in the following years as a debater. I became competitive on the national circuit and a nationally ranked debater thanks to the program 2) as a student, it helped me get into the college of my dreams because the camp taught me things that were applicable to every aspect of my student life 3) the friendships and bonds that i forged there have ensured a lifetime of fruitful friendships that are rewarding and help me grow as a person. 10/10 would recommend to anyone. Hands down the best summer camp to get your child out of their shell as a student, person, communicator, or just a kid who wants to have fun.
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1/16/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
As a student I had a great experience at the camp and I grew as a debater. If it wasn't for the experienced staff at the camp, I would have never been the same debater I am today. Along with the great staff, I also had a lot of fun and got to meet great people that I am still friends with today. I highly recommend this camp because it also helps you grow as a person and speaker.
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1/15/17 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
Just a note from a very proud grandparent and retired educator who is very impressed with the last day of debate camp today in San Diego. The commitment of not only the founder/CEO and the staff was apparent in the presentations today. Having citizens confident and skilled at understanding and presenting issues is a cornerstone of our democracy. Your program is a big step toward developing these characteristics our young people. I had an opportunity to visit with some of the staff before the teams began their demonstrations. After 45 years in education, I can spot quality. You’ve renewed my faith in the future.
Thanks to each and everyone of you for all you do and continue to do…educating our youth.
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1/14/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I just signed my son up for Capitol Debate Summer Camp and he is so excited to return next summer. This is his third summer returning to camp and he has made friends with students from all over the country that come back also. As a mother, I am so happy with my son's progress. The staff at camp is amazing and are always there to help my son with whatever he needs in class and the dorms. Capitol Debate is very organized and professional and they always answer my questions leading up to the camp. Everything is top notch and they meet all their promises. I know my son can't wait to see all his friends at camp this summer!
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1/12/17 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Very pushy sales tactics. They say anything to get you to give them over your hard earned money but don't deliver on promises. CEO personally told me my son would receive personal attention from the best coach available, this never happened despite repeated phone calls to the camp leader. Many of the staff at the camp, including the camp leader, were very nice and responsive but problems never actually got solved. My son is a very good debater, we thought Capitol would take him to the next level but it didn't work out that way. You should shop around, bad value here.
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12/31/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
After my daughter finished 2 quarters at school this year, I can't believe the difference in her performance at school. Her grades are up and she is so much more confident in writing and speaking in class. She has given 2 speeches this quarter and she has received tremendous positive feedback from the teachers. Capitol Debate really helped her learn how to research a topic in-depth, organize her ideas, write a speech, research, understand a topic, and deliver with confidence. She said she had so much fun at the camp and she stays in touch with her friends from all over the world! We have signed her back up and can't wait to see how much more she progresses this summer. Thank you Capitol Debate!
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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10/19/16 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
I agree completely with the other review, shocking that they have no online reviews. Students are asked to debate one mundane topic and focus on it relentlessly for a total of 13 days. Did not allow much communication between parents and students. Not a compassionate environment for first time debaters. Camp coaches seemed more fit to run beauty pageants than an academic speech/debate camp. Overall horrible experience. Save your money and your children from this experience, many other good ones out there!
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7/31/16 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
This camp that has served thousands of students for years -- and at nearly 30 camp locations -- but there are NO online reviews, and the camp has disabled their own reviews tab on Facebook.
The camp was a profound disappointment because ALL students (beginner or not) could only research ONE topic during the entire thirteen days: "Would a one-day national primary election be more beneficial for the United States than our current presidential primary process?"
If your child is new to debate, my advice would be to find a different debate camp, one that exposes your child to a wide range of interesting issues worth debating. The campers were expected to work all day, through many meals, and again after dinner, on one topic that did not have wide appeal. Many students left early. This is not the camp where kids want to return.
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