Debate camp scholarships are still available (until May 10)
Apply by this Sunday and get an answer by May 15.
If your Twin Cities student wants to improve their speech and debate skills but cost has been holding you back, know that Augsburg University’s Speech & Debate Camp still has scholarship funds available, and the last call for applications is May 10, 2026. Apply as you register on this page.
We make debate accessible
Some high-profile speech and debate camps run thousands of dollars for their instruction. They’re well-run programs, but they’re also businesses, and the price reflects that. In contrast, MNUDL Summer Speech and Debate Camp’s focus is using tuition for running the camp and funding scholarships for students who need them. Our goal is to put students in rooms with experienced coaches who will actually prepare them for the competitive season, not to maximize revenue per camper.
What scholarships cover
Scholarship awards are need-based and applied directly to registration costs. We’ve designed the process to be as low-friction as possible:
- You can register and hold your spot with just $5 down while your scholarship application is under review
- Applications are built into the registration form (the last 6 questions)
- You’ll get a decision by May 15, 2026
- The last day to apply is May 10, 2026
If you’ve been waiting to see if you could make camp work financially, this is your time!
What each camper experiences
Participants get the full camp experience, tailored to meet their needs, including:
- Daily practice debates and skill-building drills, not just lectures
- Instruction tailored by age group. Middle school and high school tracks are separate and intentional
- Coaching from experienced local educators and coaches who know Minnesota’s competitive circuit
- Real feedback: staff facilitate re-dos, give specific notes, and leave students with concrete next steps
For middle schoolers, every session ends with a capstone so students get actual tournament experience in a low-stakes setting. High school students debate multiple full rounds throughout their stay on Augsburg University’s campus in the heart of Minneapolis.
Camps available this summer
Augsburg runs programs for middle and high school students across a range of formats:
- Policy Debate: 1, 2, or 3-week options; residential and commuter
- Lincoln Douglas: 1 or 2 weeks; residential and commuter
- Student Congress & Public Forum
- Speech, Argumentation & Advocacy
- Middle School tracks: Congress, Policy, Mock Trial, Speech, Debate En Español, Model UN, and the new East African Policy Debate program
Camp runs June 21 through July 10, 2026 at Augsburg University in Minneapolis. Learn more about camp offerings.
We believe all students belong in debate.
That’s the MNUDL’s operating philosophy. The scholarship fund exists because the people who run this camp believe access to quality debate instruction shouldn’t be a privilege reserved for families who can pay thousands of dollars for quality instruction. If finances are a barrier, apply now.
Apply by May 10 while you use this link to register.
