Learn, improve, and sharpen public speaking and debating schools in this summer enrichment program on Students are given access to Harvard Admissions staff.
We offer two-week programs in Congress, Policy Debate, Public Forum Debate, and Public Speaking & Argumentation; as well as a four-week varsity program in Policy Debate. Programs are aimed at students who will be entering the 9th-12th grades in the following school year. Students reside in Harvard residence halls, and are able to enjoy dinner and explore Harvard Square and nearby Cambridge. We inc
07/03/2025
Lots of learning 🧠, skill-building 💪, and making new friends from around the world! 🌍 Our 16th year and Session 1 is going well with Congressional Debate, Policy Debate, Public Forum, Public Speaking & Argumentation, and World Schools Debate!
06/21/2025
We salute HDCSW Congress alum Grace Jackson on an excellent runner-up finish at the NSDA National Tournament! We’re proud of you, Grace!
08/01/2024
Introducing our Session Two students and staff!
08/01/2024
Our Session Two students had an incredible opportunity to hear from New York Times bestselling author Rebecca F. Kuang. She spoke to the students about the importance of storytelling and its role in persuasive speaking and debate.
Thank you for joining us, Rebecca!
07/26/2024
Our Congress program celebrated its 15th year of inspiring young leaders, led by NSDA Hall of Fame coach and board member, Adam Jacobi. Joining him are instructors Kevin Berlat, Dr. Becky Chabot, Kanza Jafri, Matthew Lee, and Mathew Foolish Bear, who collectively bring a diverse set of perspectives, talents, and experiences to help shape students’ understanding of Congressional Debate, Model Congress, and college and career readiness. Students explore and debate a variety of topics while immersing themselves in the quaint and historic Harvard campus.
Yesterday, Session 1 Congressional Debate student Lillian put what she learned into action to urge her local school board to restore the AP African-American Studies course. Her advocacy worked, too! If you listen to her speech, you can pick up on how well she argues and puts into practice what she learned at the workshop. We are so proud of Lillian for speaking her truth and using her voice for change!
07/12/2024
Introducing the 2024 Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshops session one students and staff!
07/12/2024
World Schools Debate students participated in a three day camp tournament — the culmination of many days of learning. More photos to come!
04/03/2024
TOP 16 IN THE COUNTRY🏆🥳
As we head into the NATIONAL DEBATE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT, I think it’s fitting to introduce our First Round Participants representing the Harvard Debate Council.
To be a first round means that you have ranked in the TOP 16 debaters in the entire country. This is no simple task and requires hours of dedication to perfecting their craft and working with our HARD WORKING coaching staff to innovate and execute top notch argumentation.
The 2 teams representing at the National Debate Tournament which is already a tournament that the top 72 teams in the country have to qualify for are:
Harvard Sam Church & Chanden Climaco- a duo freshman pairing who have made it to the SEMIS of both Wake and Kentucky, 1st & 2nd Speaker at the Kentucky Tournament, and received the prestigious invitation to the Dartmouth Round Robin. They continue the rare but exceptional legacy of Harvard freshman first round teams.
Harvard Oge Ogbogu & Christian Gines a senior and junior partnership that due to unforeseen circumstances had to quickly form as a team last Spring. In a short period of time going from not having a partner for one and taking a year long hiatus for the other, they have achieved some amazing things. CHAMPIONS of the Houston Invitational, Semi Finalists at Harvard Tournament, Quarterfinals at Texas and the most recent National Championship tournament at CEDA receiving 4th and 5th speaker is also just a short list of their accomplishments. This will be Oge’s 4th and final NDT as one of 2 seniors representing the consortium (shout out Rishi).
Congratulations to these teams! We are proud of you and look forward to what this weekend has to offer.
GO CRIMSON🏆
03/19/2024
Exciting news! Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshops will be the official host of the 2024 Summer Training of the NSDA’s team. This intensive two-week training brings together the USA Debate team, USA Debate coaches, USA Debate alumni, and other experts to prepare the team for the World Schools Debating Championships in Serbia.
Learn more: https://hdcsw.org/world-schools/
03/07/2024
The Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshops is proud to announce the inclusion of World Schools Debate in our 2024 session. World Schools Students will have the opportunity to learn from 2023 WSDC World Championship Coach, Aaron Timmons, as well as members and alumni of the USA Debate team.
You can enroll today at:
www.hdcsw.org