The 2020 RDI is a full-service high school AND middle school debate camp. High School students can choose to focus on (1) policy debate curriculum or (2) public forum (PF) debate curriculum. Middle school students can choose to focus on (1) introductory public speaking and advocacy curriculum or (2) competitive speech and debate curriculum. The policy debate curriculum features either a two-week or a three-week camp option. The public forum curriculum features a 10-day camp option. Middle school students can choose between three different five-day camp sessions, and they will benefit from participating in multiple consecutive sessions, if they wish to extend their debate camp experience beyond five days. Our introductory middle school curriculum is specifically designed to introduce middle school students to public speaking, advocacy, and basic debate skills. Our competitive speech and debate curriculum is designed to assist middle school students who are or who plan to be members of their school's competitive speech and debate teams. This curriculum will help students prepare for their upcoming fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters.

Middle School Session 1

July 13 – July 17, 2020

$350

Middle School Session 2

July 20 – July 24, 2020

$350

Middle School Session 3

July 27 – July 31, 2020

$350

Two-Week Policy Session

July 13 – July 25, 2020

$550

Three-Week Policy Session

July 13 – August 1, 2020

$800

Public Forum Session

July 19 – July 28, 2020

$500

Financial Assistance to Attend the RDI

The RDI is happy to be able to offer financial assistance to students who want to attend the RDI, but may be unable to do so for financial reasons.

RDI financial assistance is solely awarded to offset the cost of attending the RDI.

Applicants for RDI financial assistance must submit a financial assistance request letter. This letter should, at a minimum, include the following:

  • An explanation of financial need
  • An explanation of why the applicant wishes to attend the RDI
  • A description of the applicant's level of interest and enthusiasm for debate, competitive experience, work ethic, etc.

Decisions on financial assistance allocation will be made on the basis of: the availability of funds, the applicant's full attendance and active participation in the RDI, the contents of the applicant's financial assistance request letter, and the timely submission of application materials.

All RDI financial assistance requests must be submitted via email to rebeldebateinst@gmail.com. The subject line of the email must be "RDI FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION-[your last name]." All RDI financial assistance applications must be received before June 8, 2020.

Deadlines and Payment

Completed applications, applications for financial assistance, and $100 nonrefundable deposit are due no later than June 8, 2020.

  • Deposits must be received by June 8, 2020 to be eligible to apply for financial assistance.
  • Payment in full for remaining fees (minus deposit) are due on the first day of the section for which your student is registered.
  • Financial assistance is available for CCSD students only.

The RDI can accept payments via check or credit card. To pay via credit card, please print, fill out and email the form and send to rebeldebateinst@gmail.com.

Checks must be made out to “Board of Regents, UNLV” and mailed to:

Jacob Thompson, Ph.D.

Department of Communication Studies, UNLV
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy Box 454052
Las Vegas, NV 89154-4052

The RDI will provide breakfast for all students each morning before camp activities begin. Commuter campers will participate in on-campus activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and they should plan to provide their own lunch or should bring money to purchase lunch on-campus.

Rebel Debate Institute

Jake Thompson, Ph.D.
UNLV Director of Debate, Professor of Communication Studies, RDI Director