Congress
LEARN KEY SKILLS & ATTITUDES FOR CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE/STUDENT CONGRESS/MODEL CONGRESS
Congressional Debate models the lawmaking process in a democratic society. Our unique workshop exposes students to key skills and attitudes needed in both competitive Congressional Debate/Student Congress, as well as Model Congress.
Our focus is fostering students’ sustained growth and improvement, not just preparing for the next competition. This happens in an innovative, fun, and safe atmosphere that encourages students to reach beyond their potential. Respected and experienced classroom teachers employ layer-in skills methodically to ensure mastery, complemented by reflective learning, and personal goal setting. This is augmented with extensive use of technology, including video capture of practice speeches, as well as individualized attention and personal development. We convey knowledge, build skills, and foster a disposition that emphasizes leadership over mere competitiveness.
Level: All Levels
This program is appropriate for students in any with several years or no experience. Veteran classroom teachers differentiate instruction as needed, based on experience level and understanding of politics and government. Students can opt into being considered for our advanced workshop. Learn More!
Summer 2025 Sessions
Online:
Session One: June 29 - July 11, 2025.
In-Person:
Session Two: July 13 - July 25, 2025
Tuition
In-person
Resident: $4,049
Commuter: $2,949
Online: $1,499
Our alumni have won and placed at national invitational tournaments, won NCFL Nationals, earned the esteemed NSDA/NFL Final Session Leadership Award. More important, our philosophy of emphasizing leadership training has prepared our students to lead their squads, and become successful in college beyond high school speech and debate.
Student Testimonials:
“I loved the intensiveness of it. I was thrilled to find that this wouldn’t be a walk in the park, and that it was intellectually stimulating.”
“It was well worth the money for the opportunity to meet some of the best at congressional debate.”
“I honestly learned more about Congress and related topics in 10 days than I have in months at my school. It is a very entertaining and informative camp and I would definitely come back.”
“I love how the experience was personalized. For example, my main problem in Congress was my lack of extemporaneous speaking, eye contact, and refutation – basically, I was accustomed to reciting mostly prepared speeches. Within a few days, we were doing so many speeches that I was both encouraged and forced to change.”
About the Program
Learning Objectives
- Current Events: Synthesize knowledge of current events through drafting compelling legislation
- Theory: Explore of theoretical frameworks upon which arguments are based
- Argumentation: Construct and deliver dynamic, engaging arguments and refutations
- Parliamentary Procedure: Master parliamentary procedure and skill in presiding
- Ethics and Leadership: Demonstrate competitive ethics and squad leadership
Sample Schedule
Morning: Lecture: Congressional Economics
Late Morning: Legislation, Authorships
After Lunch: Questioning and Answering
Mid-Afternoon: Squad Management
Late Afternoon: Parli. Procedure/Presiding
After Dinner: Prep Time & Speeches
Philosophy
We empower students to become critical thinkers, collaborative decision-makers, and ethical leaders while cultivating a unique style to set them apart from other debaters.
Hear from Students
Standard or Advanced Track
Standard Track
This track is designed for students going into the 9th or 10th grade with 0-2 years of experience in Congress, or who have experience in other forms of debate, but not in Congress. Focus of the programming will be on solidifying foundational knowledge and skills to be successful in Congressional Debate or Model Congress.
Advanced Track
This track is for students going into the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade with experience who have demonstrated considerable or consistent success in competition, and are looking to stand out with deeper content, stronger delivery, and more memorability each round. Focus will be on honing skills to research more efficiently, devise higher level argumentation, write speeches quicker, refute decisively, and stand out in a room as a leader. Practice will be intense, breaking bad habits and forging effective ones. Students must apply for consideration of acceptance to this program.
Faculty
Adam J. Jacobi
Curriculum Coordinator - All Sessions
Kevin Berlat
Instructor - All Sessions
Mr. Berlat (he/him) is the Director of Forensics at Mesa High School in Mesa, AZ and has been coaching Speech and Debate for 26 years. He started the AZ Congress Bootcamp which helped bring Arizona Congressional Debate to another level of success, including 2 NSDA National runner-up finishes, 2 Leadership Bowls, and 2 final Presiding Officers. Mr. Berlat has been named the NFHS Section 7 Speech, Debate, and Theater Educator of the year (2013) and the NFHS Section 7 Heart of the Arts award winner (2015). He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Education from Arizona State University. He competed for four years in high school and three years at ASU before moving into the coaching ranks. In Arizona, Mr. Berlat has served as the president of the Arizona Speech and Debate Coaches Association, as chair of the State Speech and Debate Advisory Committee, and as part of the AZ NSDA district committee (including hosting the 2023 National Tournament). In his spare time, he serves as tabulation co-chair of the NSDA National Congress and the Tournament of Champions in Congressional Debate. Previously, he was Congress curriculum director for Southwest Speech and Debate @ASU
High School/College Debate Experience:
Plano Senior-Finalist Extemp (TFA/UIL), RD 14 NFL PFD 2005
Indiana University
Other Relevant Info: Earned NSDA Diamond (2017).
Becky Chabot, Ph.D.
Instructor - All Sessions
Dr. Becky Chabot (she/her) has 15+ years of speech and debate experience. She has coached students at several schools in Minnesota in Congressional Debate, Policy Debate, and Interpretive and Public Address Speech events. She taught Public Forum and Congressional Debate online for a national program from early 2021 to 2023. Dr. Chabot has coached multiple state finalists and Tournament of Champions (TOC) qualifiers, as well as national qualifiers to the NSDA National Tournament, NCFL Grand Nationals, and the NIETOC. She focuses on coaching healthy, holistic debaters. Coaching means engaging with the whole person, not just the debater. As she often tells students, “You are a human being first, a student second, and a debater third. If you don’t take care of your human self, you cannot do anything well.”
Coach Becky is a social ethicist by training and earned her PhD in from the University of Denver. She lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota. When she’s not teaching, she can usually be found watching soccer. She also loves reading, plaids, and gentle British reality shows where lovely people make lovely things and are lovely to each other.
Kanza Jafri
Instructor - Session 2
Kanza Jafri (she/her) has dedicated over a decade to speech and debate, currently serving as the Head Coach at Jasper High School in Plano, Texas. Passionate about empowering students, she has guided them to success as state finalists and national qualifiers at prestigious tournaments, including the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament, the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (NIETOC), the Tournament of Champions (TOC), and the Texas Forensic Association (TFA) circuit. But for Kanza, coaching is about more than just winning, it’s about shaping confident, thoughtful individuals. She often reminds her students, “The only limitations are the ones you create in your mind,” encouraging them to push past barriers both inside and outside the competition.
Kanza joined the HDCSW team in 2019, starting as a Resident Assistant before teaching Policy Debate, Public Speaking, Argumentation, Public Forum, and Congress. This year, she’s excited to take on an additional role as Social Chair, where she’ll help foster a welcoming and vibrant community. She thrives on building connections, creating meaningful experiences, and ensuring every student feels a sense of belonging.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Consumer Experience Management from the University of North Texas and a Masters in Business from Florida International University, Kanza brings a unique blend of strategic thinking and people-centered leadership to her work. When she’s not coaching, you’ll likely find her on a quest for the best local desserts, exploring new destinations, or sharing stories over good food and great company.
Mathew Foolish Bear
Instructor - Session 2
Mathew Foolish Bear (he/him) is a 2024 graduate of St. Mary’s Central High School in Bismarck, North Dakota, where he consistently placed — including as 2023 runner-up — in the NDHSAA State Student Congress. He also qualified to the NSDA National Tournament several times, competing in Informative Speaking in 2023 and 2024.
Mathew Foolish Bear is an alum of the HDCSW.