Debate Camp for teens - really?

Let'sgoflying!

Let'sgoflying!

Touchdown! Greaser!
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A pal told me his daughter is returning from "Debate Camp" shortly.
That stopped me cold, in the grocery store.
I got to thinking of most teens I know or knew.

When I consider my admittedly limited experience with the species, I must say that they have particular skill set absolutely, and without a doubt, nailed.

I mean, ask them to perform the simplest of tasks? No way you will win that debate. Ask them to alter their schedule to do something you hope for? With the cunning of a seasoned criminal defense attorney they will soon have you writhing on the ground, in tears. Even a simple dinner table topic; they have won before you present your evidence - don't even try.

Why, oh why would a parent agree to making the situation worse?!


Well, for a moment it sounded ludicrous. But I am sure everything is not as it seems.
 
Having one that is able to have a factual debate using logic and evidence, that's rare.

Just talking faster and louder isn't debating, it's noise.
 
I remember doing it once when I was young. Was a blast. My parents hated the fact I'd done it, I went from arguing for the sake of arguing, to constructing logical arguments and counter-arguments. Made their lives much more difficult.
 
The cardinal rule in parenting is never to argue. What you say goes.

That said, I'd worry about a kid who didn't try to debate me. Ours were exceptionally good with their attempts, using everything from religion, the political scene, other countries' cultural systems, you name it.
 
They had "debate camp" for high school kids way back when I was in high school in the late 70's. Nothing strange about that. IIRC, It was usually held the same week in late summer as "band camp" so that the marching band members who also were on the debate team had to choose one camp or the other. I was in the marching band so my opinion is a bit biased as I think band camp had to be way more fun, especially since all the baton twirler girls were dressed in summer attire as we were learning our marching routines on the football field in the summer afternoons :yes:
 
High schools have debate clubs nowadays. They compete and even have state competitions. It's kind of a big thing. Almost as nerdy as the band kids.
 
James331 said:
Having one that is able to have a factual debate using logic and evidence, that's rare.

Just talking faster and louder isn't debating, it's noise.
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But folks here are so good at that. When logic fails, resort to ad hominems.
 
Neal Howard said:
They had "debate camp" for high school kids way back when I was in high school in the late 70's. Nothing strange about that. IIRC, It was usually held the same week in late summer as "band camp" so that the marching band members who also were on the debate team had to choose one camp or the other. I was in the marching band so my opinion is a bit biased as I think band camp had to be way more fun, especially since all the baton twirler girls were dressed in summer attire as we were learning our marching routines on the football field in the summer afternoons :yes:
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This one time, at band camp... And then something about flutes.
 
I went in high school. loved it and it was one of the reasons I went to law school.
 
Back in my day the 'brainiacs' were in the debate club. I was off in weight-lifting and then football practice.
 
If more of the politicians had taken debate camp,and understood how to truly debate an issue,and listen to both sides ,maybe something may have gotten done.
 
frfly172 said:
If more of the politicians had taken debate camp,and understood how to truly debate an issue,and listen to both sides ,maybe something may have gotten done.
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Depending on where you are along the political spectrum, things have 'gotten done' in recent years. Some say all is great, the others go with treasonous.
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
A pal told me his daughter is returning from "Debate Camp" shortly.
That stopped me cold, in the grocery store.
I got to thinking of most teens I know or knew.

***

Well, for a moment it sounded ludicrous. But I am sure everything is not as it seems.
Click to expand...
It's not about learning to be argumentative so you can flame people on internet forums based on SYMU (s*** you make up). :no:

It's about the formalities of logical persuasive argument using facts and reliable sources. :yes:

You should find a local college that is hosting debate competitions. They can be interesting. It would be nice if politicians followed those rules.
 
I didn't go to debate camp although, in retrospect, I probably would have enjoyed it. I remember learning to debate in Jr. High (?) school, though. I even remember the two sides, evolution vs. natural selection. Amazing that I recall this since I remember very little of what I did back then.
 
midlifeflyer said:
It's not about learning to be argumentative so you can flame people on internet forums based on SYMU (s*** you make up). :no:

It's about the formalities of logical persuasive argument using facts and reliable sources. :yes:

You should find a local college that is hosting debate competitions. They can be interesting. It would be nice if politicians followed those rules.
Click to expand...


Yep. We had a debate club as well as debate competitions between schools when I was in high school. A topic was randomly selected by one team, the "pro" or "anti" was randomly selected by the other team.

Your team then had one hour to prepare its position (and this was WAY before the internet..you had to use the school library).

Some members of the team were very competent researchers...others would prepare the 3x5 index cards...others would actually present the arguments.

Good stuff!!
 
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