Get In Touch
Phone: (617) 495-4822
Office Address (before workshop begins)
Harvard Debate
490 Adams Mail Center
Cambridge, MA 02138
FAQs
COVID-19
Per Harvard’s policy, all in-person students are required to be fully vaccinated – the attestation form must be completed. If a student develops symptoms of Covid, we will provide a rapid test. Information about isolation procedures can be found below.
Students who test positive will be isolated for a minimum of 5 days in a separate dorm room. After the five day period ends:
- For students who have no symptoms or whose symptoms resolve: After receiving a negative antigen test, students will be permitted to leave isolation, but must wear a mask around others and must eat while socially distanced until after day 10.
- For students with symptoms: Students must remain in isolation until symptoms resolve and the student receives a negative antigen test. After that point, the student will be permitted to leave isolation but must wear a mask around others and must eat while socially distanced.
Students in isolation will be required to stay in their dorm rooms except for using the bathroom and for brief walks outside while wearing a mask and socially distant. Meals will be delivered to the student in the dorm room, and dorm staff will be in regular contact with the student to monitor symptoms and any other needs.
If a student tests positive before departing for the workshop, the student should remain home until at least 5 days from the positive test have elapsed AND until they receive a negative antigen test, after which they can join the workshop in person. We will provide zoom access to classes until the student arrives.
Alternatively, students may choose to shift to the second session online and will receive a refund of housing costs.
If your child tests positive at registration, if possible, the student should remain in isolation with the parent or guardian until 5 days have elapsed and the student receives a negative antigen tests. We will provide zoom access to classes until the student arrives.
If your child is unable to return home, they will be immediately placed in isolation in the dorm and will follow standard isolation procedure described on this page.
Alternatively, students may choose to shift to the second session online and will receive a refund of housing costs.
Costs
You can make payments through the Student Portal (Click “Make Payments”). You can then enter the amount to pay and it will take you to a screen where you can complete the payment. You can also see your payment history on the same page. You can also mail a check to:
Harvard Debate
490 Adams Mail Center
Cambridge, MA 02138
It is likely that your student will need some additional money for snacks, laundry, souvenirs, and other incidentals. It is dependent upon the individual spending habits of your child. The tuition will cover instruction, housing, and meals.
Additional items available for purchase but not required for camp participation –
Linen Service: $75
Fan: $25
Payments are due by April 1st.
Application fee and deposit are non-refundable at any time.
Cancelled by March 1st — refunded 50%
Cancelled by April 1st — refunded 25%
Cancelled after April 1st – no refund.
Application fee and deposit are non-refundable at any time.
Cancelled by March 1st, refund any further payments by 50%
Cancelled by April 1st, refund any further payments by 25%.
Cancelled after April 1st – no refunds.
Eligibility
For the online workshop, students who will enter 7th-12th grades in the fall are eligible for the online workshop.
Only students who are currently enrolled in high school, or who will enter the ninth grade in the fall, are eligible to attend the physical workshop.
Residence
℅ Harvard Debate Summer Workshops
Pforzheimer House
Students will live in one of the upperclass houses located in the Harvard-Radcliffe Quad. In 2024 students will be housed in Currier House and Pforzheimer House.
Food
Application
Yes, students will need to fill out several forms before arriving at the workshop. For 2025, all forms will be online. They can be accessed from the student portal when they are ready in early 2025.
Admission is automatic once the application is complete. Admission is first-come, first-serve until we run out of space. Once we are full, we will operate a waiting list and accept new registrations as space opens up.
If you do not receive your acceptance email, please email us so that we can send it to you directly .
You can make payments through the Student Portal (Click “Make Payments”). You can then enter the amount to pay and it will take you to a screen where you can complete the payment using your Credit Card/Debit Card. You can also see your payment history on the same page. You can also mail a check to:
Harvard Debate
490 Adams Mail Center
Cambridge, MA 02138
Forms are not required for online instruction.
For in-person attendees, please fill out forms online according to the student portal.
General
Pens, highlighters, note pads, etc. can be purchased at RiteAid on the corner of Linnaean and Massachusetts Ave., or CVS at Porter Square.
You should plan to arrive on the starting date of your session. Registration runs from 9:00 am through 4:00 pm. We will have an opening orientation where we go over the rules and expectations of the workshop. Later, students will break into their individual program groups and meet with their instructors.
If you are unable to book arrival within this window please let us know. Attendance at the opening orientation is mandatory.
You should plan to depart on the last day of the program. As this is solely a checkout day, you can book departure as early as you want. We need everyone to be checked out by 12:00 pm
On the first Sunday, commuters need to come to Pforzheimer House to register between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm. We will begin at 5:00 pm with dinner and orientation. Then, the students will meet with their instructors. You should plan to pick your student up at 8:30 pm.
Students will receive a more detailed schedule from their instructors for the individual programs, but you should plan on arrival at 8:00 am and pick up at 8:00 pm each day. Commuters should eat breakfast before arriving each morning. Lunch and dinner are provided.
Commuters will check into the workshop office once they arrive each morning. Students can be dropped off at the front door of Pforzheimer House at 56 Linnaean St.
Students are allowed to spend their free time within designated boundaries around Harvard Square. They are only allowed to be outside of the boundaries on the Free Day, provided that they comply with the appropriate check-out and check-in procedures.
If a parent, relative, or family friend wants to check a student out of the workshop for a short period of time, please fill out the form at this site: https://hdcsw.org/permission-to-leave-campus-form/
All instruction is provided in the Radcliffe Quadrangle. Both areas are very safe. Attendance will be taken at morning assemblies, each time students reassemble after a meal break, and at 10:00 pm each night.
All Residential Staff including the Director will reside in the dorms to maintain supervision.
In 2025, we will operate a shuttle to bring students from the airport to campus. If you want to use the shuttle, your flight must land at Boston Logan airport between 9am and 3pm. The cost will be $80 each way. You can sign up in the student portal under Additional Purchases.
There are several options available for getting to the workshop from Logan Airport and back again.
Public Transportation, the “T”: Transportation via the Silver Line and Red Line from the airport to the Harvard Square stop is free. It takes about 40 minutes. The walk from the Red Line to Pforzheimer House, is about 10 minutes. The return trip cost is approximately $2.50. The T is safe and reliable.
Taxi Cabs: Taxi Cab service from Logan is plentiful and reliable. A one-way cab will run about $55.00. Most cabs will take credit cards for payment. Depending on the time of day, the trip will take between 20 and 40 minutes. Taxi cabs can drop students off directly at Pforzheimer House. The official address is 58 Linnaean St, Cambridge MA 02138.
Cars for Hire: Uber has a designated location where travellers can walk up and hire a car to take them to Pforzheimer House. Follow the signs for Ground Transportation/Uber once you arrive at Baggage Claim. The official address is 58 Linnaean St, Cambridge MA 02138.
Private Shuttles: Several companies will provide private shuttle transportation from the airport to the campus. We have included a list of shuttle companies below if you wish to arrange private shuttle transport.
Technology
Internet is available in the residence halls and and classrooms at no additional charge
Students need to bring laptops to the workshop given the amount of research involved.
In order to ensure optimal classroom learning environments, instructors will set a policy governing cell phone use during class time. Depending on the circumstances, students may be asked to leave their phones in a particular place not on their person, turn them off, or otherwise limit their use. If you need to reach a student immediately during one of these times, please call the workshop office at 617-495-4822 directly and we will ensure your child returns your call right away.