Lancaster Middle School Debate League

Debate Camp

Program Goal

The ultimate goal of the Lancaster Middle School Debate League is to increase the high school graduation rate in Lancaster County.

Methodology

Build self confidence and Increase literacy skills and academic performance. The league operates as an extracurricular activity. Students spend 4hrs weekly researching, practicing presentation, working on listening skills. Students learn team work, leadership and good sportsmanship. The League uses positive reinforcement to hone these skills

Increased Parental Involvement and Awareness

Every effort is made to encourage parents to participate on League Tournaments. They can be judges (except for the school their child attends); they can be in the audience; they can attend and/or help hand out awards. We hold an awards ceremony were we acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of each student (positive reinforcement).

Philosophy

As addicting as it is competitive, debate provides young people with a way to constructively channel their energy, a valuable set of skills that includes critical thinking, argument construction, public speaking and oration, and most importantly, a sense of self-worth. Debate opens the door of opportunity for all students regardless of past academic performances. By engaging the students in debate, the Lancaster Debate League attempts to enhance the course of their academic careers. By providing them with positive mentorship, academic and literacy skill development, a safe and supportive community and an excitement about learning debate changes the course of lives. Through debate, the Lancaster Middle School Debate League provides a structure where these students can build upon unrealized potential and discover the power of their own intellects and voices as tolls for self-advocacy and personal development.

Why Middle School

Researchers have identified the middle school years as particularly important to a child’s academic and personal development, with critical choices and life decisions being made at this juncture of a young person’s educational career.

Debate Team

Current Events

1st Annual Middle School Debate Camp
The League’s “First Annual Middle School Debate Camp” was hosted by the Franklin and Marshall’s Debate Team on the campus of Franklin and Marshall College. The event was a rousing success. The camp ran from August 22, 2010 to August 27, 2010 between the hrs of 9-4:30. The camp was attended by 21 students representing 5 Lancaster County School Districts. The camp ended with a championship tournament and awards ceremony. The tournament was attended by 30 parents.

2010-2011 Season
We are gearing up for our third season. Currently, the league operates in the School District of Lancaster. Because of the success of the camp, we hope to expand into the following School districts (Manheim Township, Conestoga Valley, Warrick, Hempfield, Columbia and Penn Manor). We andticipate hosting 5 tournaments this season.Leadership Lancaster Speaking of expansion, the Lancaster Middle School Debate League was selected by Leadership Lancaster as a Community Action Team (CAT) Project. CAT, which consists of 9 members from Leadership Lancaster will facilitate our County expansion efforts.
Stay tuned middle school debate is coming to your neighborhood.

Key Partners

  • United Way of Lancaster County
  • ALCOA Foundation
  • Susquehanna Bank
  • Project Graduate (Carol Welsh)
  • Millersville University (John Ward)
  • Pennsylvania High School Association (William Murray)
  • Franklin and Marshall Debate Team
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Neighborhood Services Congratulates

Megann Weighand on Winning the Las Vegas Trip

Thank you all who participated in the raffle your donations are much appreciated and needed