2008 Online Registration Form (Click Here!)

You will still need to mail your deposit to complete your registration.

If you don't find the answer you are seeking, or if you want more detailed information, please contact us at EricMorris@MissouriState.edu.

New Three-Week Option

In the past, we've hosted only a two week camp. This year's camp will have a 3 week option. The three week camp will be structured as a two week camp, plus an add-on week. The add-on week will include more practice rounds, advanced theory training, an additional tournament, additional positions, and greater research depth. It's almost like getting a 2nd camp - minus the introductory lectures!

Please note the change in camp dates!

We are moving up, and beginning directly after high school nationals. Our dates will be:

Two Week: June 22 - July 5, 2008 ($450 commuters, $950 in dorm)

Three Week: June 22 - July 12, 2008 ($600 commuters, $1300 in dorm)

Our purpose is to accommodate the growing demand for camp dates that allow students to attend more than one workshop. Whether you attend one workshop or many, consider MSDI a great start to the summer.

What about the Debate Scholars Program with UMKC?

Although there is a week between MSDI and the UMKC SDI, we remain coordinated, including sharing of some staff. We have made an arrangement with UMKC for a cost discount for students who enroll in and attend both camps - the reduction happens on the UMKC side, when you pay the enrollment balance.

Registration Deadline is now June 6.

The registration deadline for the 2008 MSDI is Friday, June 6, 2008. Registration includes both the application (see above link) and $100 deposit. If you complete the application as the deadline approaches, but are unsure if your check will arrive by June 6, please contact the mail at this email: EricMorris@MissouriState.edu. If you were hoping to attend MSDI but cannot meet the deadline, please contact us with further details. We want you to attend, but the deadline helps us to finalize staffing arrangements and avoid housing over-charges.

Secondary Mailing, 2008

The initial secondary mailings willl be sent on April 10, 2008, to all who had applied prior to that date. New applicants should receive a secondary mailing promptly after application. The 2008 secondary mailing is now available online (in case you misplace it), with two exceptions. First, we only send receipts by mail (but could send a duplicate if you request). Second, the Medical History form can be found on the Taylor Health Center website. Please note - you are not fully enrolled in the camp until a deposit has been received. If you apply, but are not able to send your $100 deposit within a week, please be in touch with Eric Morris about the details.

New dates, same high quality in 2008

Registration for the 2008 camp began in March, 2008. Registration ends on June 6, 2008. If you are concerned about your registration arriving on time, please consider pasting your information into an email in addition to snail mail. Please note your registration is not considered official until the $100 nonrefundable deposit is received. The deposit protects us against fixed costs we cannot avoid when enrollees withdraw. Any money beyond the $100 is refundable if you do not attend the camp.

The MSDI at Missouri State University is an excellent high school debate camp providing in-depth instruction at an incredible value:

MSDI graduates have consistently dominated the local debate circuit, and several other circuits. Many have qualified to NFL Nationals, the Tournament of Champions, and received sizeable college debate scholarships - in several cases, far above their cost of attending MSDI.

Our institute tournament uses a unique, day long preparation approach that allows for deep strategic planning. Although different from the tempo of normal season tournaments, past camp attendees have enjoyed this format because it teaches them everything they should do before a tournament to prepare for known opponents.

Our staff/student ratio is 8/1 or better, and many of the staff are current college coaches that have coached at the top levels of college debate. It's rare to get to work with such a staff at a camp price comparable to MSDI, and rarer still to have such staff as lab leaders.

 

Our camp size is typically under 50 - plenty for a good tournament, but not so many that you get lost in the crowd.

The Missouri State Debate Institute will on the following dates:

Two Week: June 22 - July 5, 2008

Three Week: June 22 - July 12, 2008

The Missouri State Debate Institute is an appealing camp because:

1. Strong faculty and staff

The policy camp is led by Dr. Eric Morris, the Missouri State Director of Forensics and Heather Walters, J.D., the Missouri State Asst Director of Forensics. Combined, they have taught at over 30 high school debate institutes, with several students that have gone on to qualify to the TOC & NFL nationals. Missouri State debate teams have consistently qualified to the NDT, with a current streak of 11 straight years, 12th longest in the NDT. Missouri State also won the JV National Championship in 2005, is consistently ranked in the top 10 for the NDT season sweepstakes, and recently received prestigious "1st Round At Large" bids to both the 2006 and 2008 National Debate Tournaments.

2. Low Tuition

The Two-Week Policy Camp Tuition is only $450 for commuters, and $950 for those staying in residence. The three week option is only $600 for commuters and $1300 in residence. This covers instruction, distribution of camp evidence, and access to the Missouri State library and computer facilities. The residence option covers all of these, plus room and board. An optional meal plan may be purchased by commuters as well.

3. Emphasis on Practice Rounds

Last year, participants in the 2 week policy camp logged nearly 20 rounds each between practice rounds and the tournament. Our philosophy is that skills develop with effective practice, and we design our camp schedule to facilitate it. Students are given an evidence packet on the opening Sunday to allow rounds on the first Tuesday. Of course, there are several cases & negative positions written during the camp, progressively added before the tournament. Finally, students are given time for substantial strategy planning, including hands-on coaching, prior to each practice round. Several former students have commented that the up-tempo approach to practice rounds made MSDI a uniquely positive experience.

4. Low Student-Staff ratio

All our labs will have a student-staff ratio of 8:1 or better. Research and work time is supervised and collaborative with staff; all staff members – not just lab leaders - are available to students for research assistance, theory advice, practice rounds and practice speeches. The directors are closely involved with every phase of the camp. Our small camp size makes everyone easily accessible.

5. Great housing options

The camp housing should be in Missouri State's Hammons/New Hall complex, a fairly new facility using suite-style arrangements. Each room has high speed internet access and a full kitchenette. It is a short - and flat - walk from the library and campus instructional facilities.

6. Continuing assistance

Historically, many MSDI students stay in contact with the staff during their seasons, getting argument ideas and other coaching insights. We take an interest in students after they leave our camp.

7. Easy travel

Springfield is located in close driving distance for students in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The driving distance from Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana & Texas, while longer, is manageable. If students wish to fly to the Springfield- Branson regional airport, we will happily shuttle them on the camp's opening and closing days.

Find out more, or sign up now!

Here are links to other pages that will help you decide if MSDI is right for you:

Camp Staff: This page provides a list of MSDI anticipated staff members, and will be updated as the camps' size grows.

Frequently Asked Questions: This page can provide you will answers to many of the common questions, and many be updated in response to student questions.

Online Registration Form (Click Here!)

You will still need to mail your deposit to complete your registration.

If you don't find the answer you are seeking, or if you want more detailed information, please contact us at EricMorris@MissouriState.edu.

Please write, phone, or email us:

Eric Morris, Director
Missouri State Debate Institute / Debate Scholar's Academy of Missouri
Dept of Communication, Craig 366A
Missouri State University
901 S. National Ave
Springfield, MO 65897

Phone:
Director's Office: (417) 836-7636
Asst Director's Office: (417) 836-6564
Debate Squad Room: (417) 836-4788

Email:
Camp E-Mail:
Director's E-Mail: EricMorris@MissouriState.edu
Asst Director's Email: HeatherWalters@MissouriState.edu