Stoa Competitive Debate Club
A debate camp for participating students will take place at Church of the Apostles Thursday & Friday, September 5-6, to begin laying a foundation for debate in general as well as for the upcoming season’s topic. This camp will also provide an opportunity for Steven Vaughn to meet the students he will be coaching. More info regarding the camp will follow in August. This club offering is a part of Metro Atlanta Forensics Club (MAFC Club)which operates within the Stoa Christian Homeschool Speech and Debate League. Stoa clubs exist to facilitate opportunities for competition and training in both speech and debate. Students prepare for competition by joining a club which differs significantly from a classroom. The dual focus in a club environment is on training and practice. Coaches and parents use club time to help students develop the skills and knowledge that will equip them in life and that will teach them to “speak boldly and change the world for Christ”. Stoa Competitive Debate Club is designed to teach basic and advanced team policy debate skills. For those new to competitive debate, policy debate is a style of argumentation that follows a given format with rules such as timed speeches and cross-examinations as well as a judge who decides who wins the round. Learning the debate “skillset” is ongoing and many hours are given each semester to teach debate theory and presentation skills. The yearlong topic for the competitive season is Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially reform its policy on healthcare. As MAFC Club requires both student and parental involvement and commitment, please only commit and sign up for Stoa Competitive Debate Club if both student and parent can agree to the following: Requirements for Students: • Willingness to produce high-quality research • Willingness to work hard and attend club with a Christ-like spirit • Willingness to participate in Stoa’s competitive speeches; extemporaneous speaking is required for advanced debaters • Attend a minimum of 3 Stoa Tournaments a year. Four to five tournaments are held in Georgia each year • Competitors shall be ages 12 to 18 on October 1st of the current season. Requirement for Parents: • Must agree to Stoa’s Statement of Faith • Must attend and help with Monday club at least 3 times per semester. • Must commit to help with MAFC Club hosted tournaments held at Church of the Apostles. MAFC Club plans to host at least 1 tournament on February 21-22, 2024. • Must attend, supervise, and be available to judge at all tournaments your students attend or have an adult guardian present to fulfill these responsibilities (no exceptions) • Must become a Stoa member in order to compete in Stoa tournaments. Tuition: $425 each for fall and spring semesters Supply Fee: $35 per semester or $70 per calendar year (this fee covers some club resources and MAS administrative costs for the year). Course Materials (Supplies and Technology): Code of the Debater by Alfred Snider (Find on Amazon in Paperback) or print free PDF Pencils, pens, a basic 1-1.5” notebook for debate instruction notes, A 3-4” 3 ring binder or a combination thereof for affirmative cases and negative briefs, page protectors for briefs A laptop computer is required weekly for instruction, case research, creating and formatting affirmative cases, creating and formatting negative briefs For tournaments each student will need two timers, legal pads, sticky notes, pens, and a book bag or debate rolling bag for transporting brief folders and debate supplies. Dress Code for Tournaments - business attire Stoa Competitive Debate Club will not only teach your students invaluable life skills, it will also provide them with an environment to grow in godly character and a community that will encourage and cheer them on. For further questions about Stoa Competitive Debate club, please email metroatlantaforensicsclub@gmail.com. A mandatory parent meeting will take place in September and will provide further information about our club, Stoa competitive debate, Stoa competitive speech, and tournaments. We look forward to meeting new students and parents and welcoming back returning families as we kick off the 2024-2025 season! |
