How to Choose a Summer Workshop
This article was originally published in the April 2013 edition of the Rostrum.
Spring for most speech and debate programs represents many things—winding down some elements of competition, gearing up for others, and making plans for the summer. Summer workshops play an important role in the individual progression of students and competitive events. One week of workshop can offer as much as a semester’s time in the classroom. Selecting the right workshop is the key.
Every year a new summer program claims to fill a gap left by other workshops or to offer something innovative that provides a winning edge. A common complaint I hear from coaches regarding summer institute is that students picked up habits or pedagogical approaches that simply do not fit within the goals and needs of their programs. At the same time, students feel pressured to choose camps that will push them forward and improve their skill set beyond what is offered locally. It is vital through the workshop selection process that students, coaches, and parents work together to ensure that institutes are chosen or appropriate reasons that will serve the needs of each student and his or her stage of development, programmatic concerns, and regional sensitivity.
With the cost of workshops, inundation of advertisements, conflicting words of wisdom from friends and colleagues, and the sheer number of institutes, choosing the right program can be a stressful endeavor for parents, students, and even seasoned coaches. With that in mind, I have collected some helpful tips for choosing summer workshop experiences that are right for you. Some of these ideas are adapted from those championed for years by the Lincoln-Douglas Education Project, and some I have developed through many seasons with students, parents, and workshop participants.
Attend camp for the right reason.
We should be honest about the fact that students enjoy spending time with each other and compete for reasons other than trophies and educational value. For most of us, the relationships we build with others are very important to our participation in forensics. While summer programs can offer a chance to grow socially with other members of the speech and debate community, prioritizing academic development is central to competitive growth. While it can be tempting to attend camp with friends, students must focus on their own development. Take the long view, and remember the purpose of attending a highly specialized academic program—learning.
Become a better competitor.
Some debate institutes are motivated by profit, prestige, or recruitment rather than skill development. Remember your priorities. If you do not intend to leave summer workshop as a stronger speaker or debater, you should enjoy your vacation doing something more productive. Make sure that you will have plenty of practice in front of experienced professionals. Critiqued practice should be a central component of the workshop you choose. Large lectures are sometimes a crucial part of your workshop experience, but they should never entirely substitute the individualized work you receive from working in smaller groups with experienced teachers.
Focus on teaching.
Flashy names of recently successful competitors can be alluring, but think about what these folks have been doing the last few years—winning. It is rare that students who are focused on their own competitive success have the time to learn the fine arts of judging, coaching, or, most importantly, teaching. Preparing a successful lesson, managing a classroom, and bringing outstanding experience to a workshop take a long time to master and should not be underestimated. Recent success may be a good indication of knowledge of current trends and developments in your event, but be careful. You may be better off with someone who remembers how to win and has also developed the necessary teaching skills to help you understand the same. Make sure that you are aware of the specific academic objectives of the workshops you consider as well as their means for achieving those goals.
Strive for improvement, but be humble.
One of the most common mistakes I see students and coaches make is to overestimate their own learning curve. An easy path to a frustrating experience is sitting in a room for several weeks while your peers and instructors speak over your head. Trust experienced coaches and teachers who regularly design winning programs. Their advice about where you should be is usually accurate. It is far more important to be met where you are and to develop from there rather than being in the “top lab” and getting left behind on day one. At the same time, do not sell yourself short. This difficult balance is hard to achieve, and you must be honest with yourself about where you are and how you plan to progress during your valuable weeks at camp.
Remember your roots.
Learning an innovative trick might be fun, but remember where you compete when you return home. Respecting the tendencies of your particular squad, region, or competitive circuit is perhaps the most important prerequisite to audience adaptation. Be sure that your squad, your coach, your parents, and your local judges will appreciate what you bring home. Choosing a workshop that values your individual experience should be a paramount concern.
Play it safe.
Parents and coaches want kids to be happy and healthy. Workshops sometimes prioritize other aspects of a camp experience at the expense of a balanced approach. Select institutes led by experienced administrative personnel who understand the intricacies of protecting the safety of large student groups. Be thankful for professionals who are willing to maintain appropriate learning environments. Spending several weeks and many thousands of dollars does no one any good if students are sent home early for health or safety concerns. Summer institute should be demanding, but students must also be well-fed, well-rested, and wellhydrated in order to take anything away. I see countless students push too hard only to find themselves exhausted for culminating practice or competitive events. Workshops are more like marathons than sprints. Make sure you choose a workshop that puts your success and well-being into perspective.
Jason Sykes is Associate Director of Debate at The Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas, and the Institute Director at the University of North Texas Mean Green Workshops.