2009 Online Registration Form (Click Here!)

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

Read below to find out why MSDI is the fastest growing camp over the last few years! We've grown at a rate of about 20% yearly, largely on word of mouth. 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: Events Camps with Spencer Harris

Spencer Harris is a Missouri State College Debate coach with a diverse resume. He is the L/D College National Champion in 2 of the 3 organizations, as well as the winner of the State of Missouri's L/D Tournament. He was a finalist in extemp at NFL Nationals, and was the all-time NFL points leader at the time of graduation (before the latest upward adjustment to the points system). Each of the following mini-camps has a very low number to make, and you can select whichever camps fit your schedule. The registration form doesn't include the events camps yet, so check back soon as we will finalize. Registration deposit is $100, which covers any number of event camps that you sign up for. Remaining camp fees, if any, are collected at the beginning of each camp.

Here's the event camp schedule (9am-6pm each day)

June 22-23:     LD Debate ($100)

June 24-25:     Extemp ($100)

June 26:           Congress ($50)

June 29-30:     Public Forum ($100)

July 1-2:           Oratory ($100)

July 6-7:           Extemp ($100)

July 8:               Congress ($50)

July 9-10:         Public Forum ($100)

New: Pre-NFL Policy Mini Camp

Saturday, May 30, 2009. 10am-7pm. $50. A chance to work with Missouri State coaches before NFL Nationals! We have a later start time to encourage people from distant NFL Districts to head down for the day as well! Practice Rounds, strategy sessions, speech redos, video, and targeted research are among the options available.

New: Fellows Program

We are beginning a research-intensive fellows program, under the guidance of Heather Walters. The program will begin small - roughly 1 student for each 11 enrolled. We anticipate admission to the program will be extremely competitive. Acceptance into the program will entail a substantial reduction in the tuition price. This option will focus more heavily on evidence production. To apply, contact Dr. Eric Morris at EricMorris@MissouriState.edu. Details are still being finalized.

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 21 - July 4, 2009 ($500 commuters, $1050 in dorm)

Three Week: June 21 - July 11, 2009 ($700 commuters, $1400 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 5.

The registration deadline for the 2009 MSDI is Friday, June 5, 2009. 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, 2009

The initial secondary mailings willl be sent on April 10, 2009, to all who had applied prior to that date. New applicants should receive a secondary mailing promptly after application. The 2009 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 2009

Registration for the 2008 camp began in March, 2009. Registration ends on June 5, 2009. 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 is an appealing camp because:

1. Strong camp faculty

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 35 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. In 2008, they coached the top speaker and a semifinalist team at both the NDT and CEDA. Other anticipated 2009 staff members include:

Clay Webb: Former Missouri State Debater. NDT & CEDA Nationals Semifinalist. Clay debated in Missouri, and knows both what it takes to win locally, and how to build those skills into top caliber national success.

Jessica Johnson: Missouri State Debate Coach & Former Debater. National Speaking Association award winner in 2008 (there are 5, nationwide)

Doowan Chung: Former Wake Forest Debater, and participant in NDT Elimination Rounds.

Mike Kearney: Current Missouri State Debater. Cleared at numerous major nationals, including 8-0 top seed at Kentucky.

Jordan Foley: Current Missouri State Debater. Cleared at number major nationals as a sophomore.

2. Low Tuition

The Two-Week Policy Camp Tuition is only $500 for commuters, and $1050 for those staying in residence. The three week option is only $700 for commuters and $1400 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. Our prices are cost competitive with all major camps, and cheaper than most, despite our strong faculty and and staff!

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 for free on the camp's opening and closing days.

8. Nick Ramsey's Endorsement

Nick was a semifinalist at NFL Nationals in 2007. Here's what we says about the role Missouri State played: "Missouri State Debate Institute offers the best possible camp experience. After having gone to a big national camp, I came to truly appreciate what makes Missouri State's camp special. The lab leaders are really knowledgeable, and the camp is small enough that you get plenty of personal attention. They proved willing and able to work with debaters from all backgrounds and experience levels. Also, this camp is not an evidence mill - there is a strong emphasis on practice rounds, so a debater gets an incredible amount of experience in a short amount of time. Even though Missouri State's debate institute is cheaper than larger camps, the value is exponentially greater. I was enabled to compete both regionally and nationally based on what I learned at MSDI. I broke at nationals my sophomore year and then finished in semifinals my junior year - this would not have been possible without the helpful instruction I received at MSDI."

In addition to Nick, MSDI has also produced numerous students who qualified for NFL in policy debate, cleared at NFL in policy debate, accumulated Tournament of Champions bids, and competed at the TOC. Nonetheless, the camp is designed to accelerate the learning curve of students who may have considerably less experience or success.

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

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