West Los Angeles, LA, CA, USA
Debate Lab gives campers ages 9–14 a structured place to practice making an argument, listening closely, and responding to another point of view. Campers learn the IPDA debate format while working on delivery, courtesy, tone, organization, logic, supporting evidence, cross-examination, and refutation. The program mixes instruction with games, hands-on activities, question-and-answer time, and a daily debate topic, so speaking practice is paired with active participation rather than a lecture-only format.
Workshops move from the basics of persuasion and vocabulary to opinion and reason, pros and cons, rebuttal, strategy, critical thinking, and problem solving. Campers also practice voice, speech, diction, persuasive writing, active listening, and public speaking. Whole-class discussions introduce age-appropriate topics, then team groups may be assigned a side to defend, encouraging participants to explore more than one perspective before a closing discussion.
The environment is described as non-competitive, with an emphasis on positive engagement, respect, empathy, and constructive dialogue. The small-site format is capped at 12 students per site per session. In West LA, the regular camp day runs from morning drop-off through a 3:00 PM finish, with optional early and extended supervision available. The program is a strong fit for children who enjoy words, ideas, discussion, persuasive writing, or speaking in front of others and want repeated practice organizing and expressing their thinking.
| Ages: | 9–14 |
| Type: | Day |
| Gender: | Co-Ed |
| Setting: | City |
| Academics: | Academics, Life Skills, Debate, Public Speaking |
| Meals Type: | Bring Your Own |
| Time: | 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM |
| Staff to Сamper Ratio: | 1:10-1:12 |
| Address: | 11555 National Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064 |
| West Los Angeles, LA | |
| USA |
You won’t be charged yet. The camp will contact you to confirm all terms first.
| Dates | Days | Price | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 12 - Jul 16, 2027 | 5 | $595 |
Debate Lab is organized around a progression of language-arts and debate workshops. Campers start with core ideas such as persuasion, vocabulary, opinion versus reason, pros and cons, and respectful disagreement. They then work on the structure and procedure of debate, including how to organize an argument, support points with credible evidence, create a roadmap, ask and answer cross-examination questions, and refute an opposing position. Voice, speech, diction, and public speaking are woven through the week so campers practice both what they say and how they deliver it.
The program uses the IPDA format as its debate framework. Instruction is mixed with games, hands-on activities, question-and-answer periods, round-table discussion, and a “debate of the day.” Campers learn the basics of debate scoring and practice skills such as active listening, collaboration, persuasive writing, critical thinking, leadership, and problem solving. Topics are designed to be age appropriate, and the program does not use political or religious debate topics.
Whole-class discussion helps campers consider multiple sides of an issue before they move into team groups. Teams may be assigned a side to defend, giving participants practice arguing a position regardless of their personal opinion. A closing discussion gives campers another chance to reflect and share their own views. The overall approach is non-competitive and focuses on constructive dialogue, clear reasoning, respectful participation, and repeated speaking practice.
Campers bring their own mid-morning snack, full lunch, beverage, and water each day. Lunches are not refrigerated, so families are advised to pack food in an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack when needed. The program asks families to provide enough food and water for the full camp day. Parents may be contacted if a camper arrives without lunch. Food allergies and other relevant health needs should be disclosed during enrollment so the camp can review the information before the session.
Campers are signed in each day and the program uses a sign-in and sign-out system for pickup. Regular drop-off includes supervised play before the 9:00 AM start, and supervised pickup/play continues briefly after the 3:00 PM camp day. Staff are screened and vetted, and the published staff information includes criminal background checks. Debate topics are kept age appropriate, and the program excludes political and religious debate topics. Families are expected to share relevant allergy, medication, disability, or special-needs information during enrollment so staff can prepare for the camper’s participation.
Families are asked to disclose allergies, medications, disabilities, and special needs during enrollment. When medication support is needed, the program may be able to assist with simple medications with written parent permission, depending on the circumstances. Parents are instructed to review medication needs with the on-site director on the first day, and medications should be labeled for the camper. The director keeps approved medication in safekeeping. The camp may contact parents when a child is ill or when another immediate care issue requires family attention.
Teaching staff are screened and vetted before working with campers. Published staff information describes instructors as professionals in their fields who have, or are working toward, bachelor’s or master’s degrees and who bring previous experience working with children. Staff are also required to have clear criminal background checks. The program publishes a teaching ratio of one adult for every 10 to 12 children, while the West LA Debate Lab site is capped at 12 students per session.
Parent communication during camp is coordinated through the Performing Arts Workshops office and camp staff. Families may be contacted when a camper is ill, arrives without lunch, or is not picked up on time. Enrollment information is also used to flag allergies, medications, disabilities, or special needs that staff should know before camp. Public-facing communication procedures focus on practical issues that require parent attention during the camp day.
Regular drop-off runs from 8:45 to 9:00 AM, and the camp day ends at 3:00 PM with supervised pickup/play through 3:10 PM. Optional Sunrise supervision begins at 8:00 AM, and West LA also offers Extended Play after regular pickup. Campers should arrive with a mid-morning snack, full lunch, beverage, and water; lunches are not refrigerated. Debate Lab campers are also asked to bring the composition book provided by PAW each day. Families should disclose allergies, medications, disabilities, and special needs during enrollment and review medication arrangements with the on-site director when applicable.
Camp cancellations are refundable through June 1, subject to a $135 non-refundable fee. No refunds are offered after June 1. Session switches are allowed up to 14 days before the session, subject to space; the first switch has no fee and later switches carry a $25 administrative charge.
