Debate — Week 2
6-10 July 2026
Five camp days, 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
In-person Program
Debate Camp
Ridley College’s Debate Camp builds argumentation, critical thinking and speaking confidence through daily parliamentary debates with peers.
Last verified: 8 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Debate Camp at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Campers ages 13-16
Age range / Year group
Ages 13-16
Location / Region
Ridley College, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Cost
$360; $450
Duration
1 week
Format
In-person
Debating
Class size: No more than 20 campers
Meals: Daily hot buffet lunch
Campus experience: Ridley College’s 90-acre campus
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Health support: Full-time registered nursing staff
Debate Camp summary
Debate Camp is Ridley College’s focused speaking and argumentation option within its Explorers camps. Parliamentary debate gives campers a practical setting for developing communication and confidence.
Daily practice involves forming arguments, handling counterpoints and discussing varied topics with peers. It suits students who want to become more comfortable explaining their views and responding thoughtfully to others.
What is Debate Camp?
Debate Camp is a Ridley College summer program focused on communication, critical thinking and speaking confidence. It belongs to the Explorers camp collection and uses parliamentary debate as its central activity.
Campers learn to construct compelling arguments and present their ideas clearly. Daily practice with peers includes responding to counterpoints and debating different topics, giving students repeated opportunities to put their reasoning into words.
Why Succeed highlights Debate Camp
Daily parliamentary debate practice connects argument-building directly with speaking and responding to others.
The focus on confidence makes the camp relevant to students who want more practice expressing their ideas.
Groups of no more than 20 campers create a manageable setting for participating with peers.
Lunch, nursing support and trained staff help families assess the full camp experience.
Who is Debate Camp for?
Best for
Students who want repeated practice explaining a viewpoint, answering objections and speaking with greater confidence.
Not ideal if
You prefer quiet independent study or want a broad academic course rather than daily debate activities.
Is Debate Camp worth it?
The camp offers a focused way to practice a skill that improves through participation: explaining an argument and responding to another person’s reasoning. Its strongest value is the daily opportunity to speak with peers, especially for students motivated to build confidence.
A short camp can provide useful practice, but lasting improvement will depend on continuing afterward. Judge the fit by whether the student wants to debate regularly and whether the daily attendance schedule works for the family.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$360; $450; includes Daily debate instruction and practice., Hot buffet lunch each camp day., Camp Ridley T-shirt., On-campus nursing support..
Meals
Daily hot buffet lunch
Supervision or safety information
Camp Ridley provides full-time registered nursing staff and 24/7 campus security. Instructors have first aid, CPR and AED training and have passed police record checks.
Provider details
Review the Ridley College provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
1 week; Ridley College, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Debate Camp need?
Effort level
Moderate, with active participation each camp day.
Best started
Begin family planning a few weeks before a chosen session starts, allowing time to arrange pickup and any extended care.
Main challenge
Explaining your reasoning while responding calmly to opposing arguments.
Typical preparation
Practice giving a short opinion with two supporting reasons.
Ask someone to offer a counterpoint, then respond to the idea respectfully.
Plan daily transport and pack two nut-free snacks and a refillable water bottle.
Useful if
You want practical experience speaking up and thinking on your feet.
What do students do on Debate Camp?
Campers practice parliamentary debate with peers, working on both the structure of an argument and its delivery. Daily activities involve forming arguments, handling counterpoints and discussing varied topics.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Learn how to organize a compelling argument.
- 2
Form arguments about the topics being discussed.
- 3
Practice answering counterpoints.
- 4
Present and test your ideas in parliamentary debates with peers.
Debate Camp dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Debate — Week 3
13-17 July 2026
Five camp days, 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Debate — Week 4
20-24 July 2026
Five camp days, 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Debate — Week 6
4-7 August 2026
Four camp days, Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Debate — Week 2 | 6-10 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Debate — Week 3 | 13-17 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Debate — Week 4 | 20-24 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Debate — Week 6 | 4-7 August 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Campers ages 13-16.
How much does Debate Camp cost?
Five-day camp fee
$450 — Canadian dollars.
Funding or discounts
- Four-day camp fee: $360 — Prorated short-week fee in Canadian dollars.
- Combined extended care: $50 — One week of before and after care; advance registration required.
What's included
Daily debate instruction and practice., Hot buffet lunch each camp day., Camp Ridley T-shirt., On-campus nursing support.
How to apply to Debate Camp
- 1
Use the Camp Ridley online registration portal.
- 2
Create an account if you are a first-time user, or sign in with your email and password.
- 3
Select the age-appropriate Debate camp session.
- 4
Share relevant medical, dietary, accessibility and behavioral information during registration.
- 5
Register separately for extended care if your family needs it.
Next step with Succeed
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What does Debate Camp cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Argument structure
Practice organizing ideas into compelling arguments.
Counterpoints
Work on responding to opposing arguments during debate.
Parliamentary debate
Debate varied topics with peers using parliamentary debate.
Confident communication
Practice presenting ideas clearly and confidently.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Debate Camp?
A typical day during the program.
Regular drop off
Explorers campers arrive at B Squad, in front of Lower School.
Camp programming
Daily debate practice and lunch; Monday–Friday except the Tuesday–Friday short week.
Regular pickup
Families collect campers from the designated pickup area.
Optional extended care
Advance registration is required, with drop-off and pickup at the Fieldhouse.
Who teaches on Debate Camp?
Camp Ridley uses qualified, trained staff, and instructors hold standard first aid, CPR and AED training and have passed police record checks. Day camp groups have no more than 20 campers.
Where do students stay on Debate Camp?
Non-residential plan
- Day attendance: Campers participate during the day and return home each afternoon.
- Dining-hall lunch: A hot buffet lunch includes meat and vegetarian options, salad, sandwiches and fruit.
- Campus support: Full-time nursing staff and 24/7 campus security support the camp environment.
Ridley also offers a separate Day Camp Boarding package with debating and public speaking among its program options.
What happens after Debate Camp?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Build confidence presenting your ideas.
Develop stronger argument structure.
Practice responding to opposing viewpoints.
Strengthen critical thinking through debate.
Where does Debate Camp take place?
Debate Camp takes place at Ridley College in St. Catharines, Ontario, within Canada’s Niagara Region. The 90-acre campus is at 2 Ridley Road and includes academic, arts, athletics and recreation facilities.
Debate Camp FAQs
Campers practice structuring arguments, handling counterpoints and presenting ideas confidently through parliamentary debates with peers.
Programming runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Regular drop-off is 8:30–9:00 a.m., and pickup is 3:30–4:00 p.m. The four-day August session runs Tuesday through Friday.
Hot buffet lunches are provided in the dining hall, with meat and vegetarian options, a sandwich and salad bar, and fruit. Campers should bring two nut-free snacks and a refillable water bottle.
Camp Ridley day camp groups have no more than 20 campers, with low camper-to-instructor ratios.
Before care runs from 7:30–8:30 a.m., and after care runs from 4:00–5:30 p.m. Advance registration is required; combined care costs $50 for one week.
Camp Ridley provides full-time registered nursing staff and 24/7 campus security. Instructors have first aid, CPR and AED training and have passed police record checks.
Dining staff accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions, with vegetarian lunch options. Kosher meals cannot be accommodated.
Alternatives to Debate Camp
Compare these broader speaking, negotiation and discussion-based programs if you want to explore related skills.
Alternatives to Debate Camp
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London
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Students considering a broader speaking-focused summer experience
Negotiation across life, business and sports
Business & Economics
Deadline: Not announced
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Students interested in negotiation alongside argumentation
Law Summer Course
Recently closed
Law study with debating and ethics subject coverage
Debating
15 Sep 2026
From £6295
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Best for
Students who want to connect argumentation with law
Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Login | Ridley College
- How to Choose the Right Summer Camp in Niagara for your Child | News | Ridley College
- Boarding Camps | Ridley College
- Summer Day Camps Overview | Ridley College
- Apply to Ridley College | Ridley College
- Explorers Camps (Ages 13 to 16) | Ridley College
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 8 Oct 2026)
Official camp listing reviewed
Session dates cross-checked
Age range confirmed
Session fees verified
Daily hours reviewed
Meals and safety reviewed
Registration destination confirmed
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Debate Camp
by Ridley College
Upcoming
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