Do you know how to research? by: Isaiah McPeak

A special kind of camp is on the horizon… the type of camp, club leaders, coaches, and students can really sink their teeth into! How do you research? Have you ever really been taught, or did it just come instinctively? What if I told you, you could learn how, and it could help you foundationally for the rest of your life! This is going to be an opportunity you don’t want to miss…

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Walking Into Speech and Debate Camp With the Right Mindset

Ahhh- the joys of summer! I truly hope you have had the opportunity for some rejuvenation, or at least some rest and relaxation. This summer has been a bit more unique than summers past. Most speech and debate programs have turned virtual, and perhaps you are not interested. I truly hope that is not the case, because growth is waiting to happen… whether it is IN PERSON or online. Speaking of IN PERSON opportunities… There are a few IN PERSON Camps (listed below) – I’d love to see you there! But whether or not you have signed up for a Speech and/or Debate Camp, make sure you come in the right mindset…

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TP or LD? – A Parent (and Coach and Judge) Perspective by: Stacy Edmond

Arne Duncan, then Secretary of Education, said in 2010, “debate is uniquely suited to build skills required of a modern citizen, including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.”

Most of us in the world of education would agree that competitive debate is a valuable activity for students of all skill levels, however, the style of debate preferred or which format a student new to debate should begin with, is, well, up for debate…

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The Need for Observation by: Denise Montgomery

Lasting Impact’s fall line up of online clubs and classes is going to be better than ever! All of the classes are listed HERE. One of the classes will be taught by my dear friend, Denise Montgomery. I believe her class will directly influence students, their observations, and of course their journey with speech and debate. After years of teaching (at the collegiate level and at home) Denise aims to fill in the gaps that many English programs leave. To think critically, effectively communicate, problem-solve, and experience life more fully, people must look through a new and wider lens…

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Sign Up NOW for Lasting Impact! Fall Online Classes and Clubs

Are you ready? This is our biggest and best fall line up of online classes and clubs to date. Each year, it seems, the need grows. We are happy to be able to provide such excellent resources to the speech and debate community. This year we will be offering two types of Online Apologetics, four different debate clubs, a variety of options for younger students, plus a whole lot more! Check out all of our Clubs HERE. Check out all of our Classes HERE. And coming soon – news about our Fall Tournament Circuit, as well as our Fall Online Tournament Schedule! Be sure to stay up on the latest- SUBSCRIBE (right hand side of our home page), follow us on Insta or Facebook.

My Experience Online By: Charis Baker

“When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us.” -Alexander Graham Bell

While the coronavirus quarantine brought the abrupt end to Stoa’s and NCFCA’s 2019-2020 season, we saw the arrival of a new opportunity: online speech and debate tournaments. Lasting Impact! did an amazing job of recreating the experience of a tournament in an online setting with the Trailblazers tournament in June. For many of us, this was the sparkle in our spring, as we were stuck at home unable to compete in the sport we love.

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Club Planning – How do you inject FUN into Speech and Debate Club?

I know what you are thinking? How do you inject any fun into club if we will be meeting online? What will Speech and Debate look like next season? I am hear to tell you – it CAN be done! I have been teaching, coaching, and leading clubs (and now directing tournaments) ONLINE for four years!! Like everything else – it just takes practice!! Give yourself some time. You Got This – Cuz He’s Got You…

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Online Opportunities – More than just “better than nothing!!”

​Are Online Tournaments even worth it? Is speech and debate as we know it over? What about my friends? I won’t be able to see them in person for ages! If you’re asking these questions, Eric Meinerding is empathetic to your concerns. He lived, breathed, and ate speech and debate in high school. Immersion might even be an understatement. Here is his take on the new world of speech and debate…

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Club Planning – Speech and Debate Club Leader Questions To Ask Yourself

It’s that time in the year when club leaders are thinking about next year. What do I do now? How can I keep my students engaged next year? Club leaders are seriously super heros! Every year they assess, reassess, plot, plan, promote, etc, etc (That’s a lot… that’s more than one etc)!! Before I start my syllabus for the year, before I send out a promotional email, or organize an open house, I need to ask myself three important questions…

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Questions to ask before signing up for online camps and classes

It is awesome to live in a world with so many opportunities! Our youth have so many options to explore and with protocols still up in the air throughout the country, it’s only natural that everyone is moving online. Summer School, Camps, and Classes, what do you choose? What will be the best fit when it comes to learning online? The Speech and Debate community is growing and it’s awesome to have so many options! As a parent for over 25 years, home educator for over 20 years, and an online business leader for almost four years, these would be the questions I would ask before signing up my students for an online camp or class…

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Online Summer Classes Start Next Week – Last Call

Have you seen Lasting Impact’s summer line up of online classes? (Check them out here– https://lastingimpact.info/product-category/online-classes/ ). We have a plethora of options for your students age 10-college bound to explore! All of our classes take place in the comfort of your home, by experienced coaches, teachers, and educators. The classes meet weekly. Questions you may be wondering….

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