Extemporaneous is so gratifying—and not just because of the competition. There are plenty of outlets that provide that opportunity. What I really love about Extemp is the opportunity to expand my knowledge of the world, discuss it with family and friends, and then share that information and analysis with others. That’s exactly what I hope to do with you today. If we haven’t met, my name is Roman Hogancamp, and I honored to be the 2024 NCFCA Extemporaneous National Champion. As such, I would like to provide three tips for competing in Extemporaneous—whether in STOA, NCFCA, or just around the dinner table. Continue reading or SIGN UP for EXTEMP CLUB that starts NEXT WEEK!
When I was 19 years old, (gosh that was a long time ago!) I ran a 6 week summer Theatre Camp based almost entirely on improvisation. Improv for short, we would develop our listening skills to learn excellent communication and performance skills. Sound like Fun? For those that are unclear as to what Improvisation actually is, the University of Chicago, one of the leading Improv Institutions, defines it like this: (Improv) “is a live performance in which the actors make up scenes, dialogue and characters on the spot (sometimes incorporating suggestions from the audience). It’s often comedic, though not always.” Sound slightly familiar? How about this definition: “to make, invent, or arrange offhand” (Merriam Webster) In competitive, public speaking, Impromptu is a category where we often do all of the above.
(Sign up for the final Moot Camp today!! It’s just around the corner––August 17th and 19th. It’s so much fun every year, and campers always express being grateful they decided to come.) https://lastingimpact.info/product/camp22585/
I’m a Moot Coach, so I hear a lot of people’s thoughts on the event. But oddly enough, the most common objection I hear to competing in Moot is not “idk, it looks scary.” It’s not “I dunno, it doesn’t look fun,” or even “I don’t have a partner.” No––the overwhelming #1 objection is “I don’t have time for it. I’m too busy this year.”
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” This popular quote from Benjamin Franklin is one that I often heard parroted at me by coaches throughout the years, always immediately followed by an instruction to start working on my speeches and debate cases much sooner than I would have liked. At the time, I felt like it wasn’t that helpful to start in the summer, after all, the same materials would still waiting in the fall. While I don’t like to admit that I’m wrong, I was definitely wrong; getting a head start on preparation during the summer has proven to be invaluable in my experience, especially when preparing for Moot Court. Getting a head start on the extensive reading and analysis only helps you. However, figuring out where to start is difficult, should you read the Supreme Court cases first? Or the facts? When should you start writing your cases?
Here are a few tips on jump-starting your season a few months in advance:
“The United States Federal Government should significantly reform its foreign policy toward one or more of the following Central American countries: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.” This year’s NCFCA and ASDA TP resolution asks us to learn about some of our neighbors, who are just a few countries south. Given the number of countries covered under the resolution, it opens the door to a wide range of policies. International policy resolutions are distinct from domestic policy resolutions in that they offer debaters a greater challenge and a good opportunity to be creative. Some of my best years debating in the league were when I was challenged by an international policy resolution. With a new debate year right around the corner, it’s about that time in the summer when most people (except the most studious debaters who started researching when the resolution was released) start to think about the topic for the upcoming season. You may be asking, “How do I tackle this year’s resolution, and where do I start?” I hope to provide a brief orientation to this year’s topic and pique your interest by examining three broad issues related to the resolution: economics, national security, and global stability. Continuing reading below… or sign up for Lasting Impact!’s Online TP Camp (non league specific)! It starts next week. Also- our TP Sourcebook is COMING SOON!
It’s that time of year again. The new resolution is here and people are already forming their opinions and for next year’s debate season. We already ran an Online LD Camp (GET THE RECORDING HERE FOR ONLY $25/members –https://lastingimpact.info/product/workshop22659/ ) and the Lasting Impact! LD Guide is about to be released NEXT WEEK!! As a coach, I have already taken a deeper look at the selected NCFCA Lincoln Douglas value debate resolution for 2024-2025 debate season. Resolved: In combat, the use of automation should be valued above the use of Personnel. At first glance and without the context, it may not be clear whether this resolution begs ethical questions significant enough to debate. I would argue however, that there is practically an ocean of relevant moral philosophy to this highly relevant and deceptively nuanced resolution…
The last time Nationals was held at Anderson University was 2019, my senior year. That year, my Moot partner and I had aspirations of making the final round. We had fully memorized our speeches and were the top seed at a previous National Open.
But when breaks were announced, the team of EJ Rorem and Ethan Tong wasn’t announced. As we’d later find out, we went 3-5 (there used to be 4 rounds with 2 judges each). Though we both got Oral Advocate awards later that week, it was a small consolation. We wanted to be in finals. And that was our last chance… (Keep reading to find out what I learned at Moot Court Nationals and why you should try Moot…)
Summer is underway, which means summer camps are on the mind! Lasting Impact! is travelling to around a dozen states (and online!) this summer, and we encourage you to make it to one of them! And if your club doesn’t have a camp yet… we still have a few weeks open for travel!
Why come to a Lasting Impact! Camp, when there are so many other great camps? Here are six reasons why we think you can’t go wrong with Lasting Impact!, whether it’s for camp, coaching, or clubs…
Over a Decade of Experience
Lasting Impact! has been around for over a decade serving Speech and Debate families with quality speech and debate resources. We’ve had the opportunity to coach, watch, and walk alongside some of highest quality competitors of years past. We’ve seen what works and what doesn’t work. And we want to pass this knowledge on to you! We also don’t just work with the elect! We will meet you exactly where you are… whether you are a student, parent, coach, or club!
Coaches Who are Active in the League
The coaches Lasting Impact! hires are not just bygone champions of old who used to be elite but are now out of touch with the “meta” strategies of the league. On the contrary! They’re alumni and adult coaches who have come back to judge tournament after tournament, coaching clubs, and giving private lessons to students. They have contributed to curriculum, teach classes, and have created resources for you to use! In fact, we pride ourselves by walking alongside you on your journey, as well as the leagues.
Balancing Teaching with Fun
As a former competitor, Ethan Tong says, “I’ve been to camps where the lecturer drones on and on for an hour, teaching impact calculus or federal court system economics. So when we teach, we always try to keep things fun.” And our students appreciate the balance. After a Lasting Impact! Moot Court camp last year, Gabe Zylstra said, “The camp has a really great balance of being goofy and fun while also covering useful material.” Not only do we bring fun into camps, our clubs provide a variety of ways to keep students engaged!
Meet Your Private Coaches Early
Lasting Impact! coaches coach privately throughout the year. Ethan Tong has personally coached over 250 sessions last year! We also teach clubs and classes, helping you to connect with a variety of ideas. Our camps will give you a taste for what could be in store for your season.
A Passion for Excellence
At Lasting Impact!, we’re not content with giving you a mediocre camp experience. We want to give you the best camp experience you’ve had. We work tirelessly behind the scenes, writing cases for camp, preparing examples, finding good demo rounds, and communicating with each other to bring you an exciting, informative camp. Cooper Cobbs, a camper last year, said “I honestly thought this was one of the best speech and debate related camps I’ve attended.” That’s our goal!
6. Christ Focused. We are here to remind you that we are all lumps of clay… Hopefully ready to be molded into His image. We need to be prepared for what HE has in store for us. The journey with speech and debate is a very personal one, and He wants to use us! We hope that coming to a Lasting Impact! Camp will be a good reminder of that.
If you’re in the area, want to look into an online camp (our ONLINE LD STARTS TOMORROW and ONLINE TP IS NEXT WEEK), or want to request our coaches swing by your state this summer, don’t hesitate to reach out! And would you believe summer coaching has already started!? Head to the SHOP to see what Lasting Impact! has to offer… coaching, camps, clubs, and resources galore!
Yes, we know your National Championship might have just ended… but we can’t wait to jump back in again! Join our team – Ethan Tong, Nathanael Kolssak, and Drew Swanberg, as they break down these events, as well as dig deeper for the more experienced competitor. Parents or Club Leaders are welcome to join us, as well! If you can’t make it to a in person debate camp this summer… this is where you want to be! Sign up NOW! https://lastingimpact.info/product-category/online-camps/
Are you ready to transform your speaking skills and win arguments not just in competitions but in life? This summer, dive into the exhilarating world of speech and debate through our specially designed camps!
Whether you’re a novice eager to learn the basics or an experienced debater aiming to refine your skills, we have something for everyone. Our camps are not just about learning; they’re about experiencing a journey of personal growth, critical thinking, and loads of fun!
Why Join Our Camps?
Expert Guidance: Learn from seasoned instructors who are passionate about speech and debate and have years of competitive and coaching experience.
Dynamic Workshops: Participate in interactive workshops that cover everything from debate – crafting compelling arguments to the fine art of persuasion or speech – mastering the cut or characters in an Interp.
Peer Learning: Meet other enthusiastic speech and debaters from all walks of life and levels of experience. Exchange ideas, practice together, and forge friendships that last a lifetime.
Competitive Edge: Get equipped with strategies that set you apart in local, national, and even international competitions.
Fun Activities: It’s not all serious! Enjoy fun activities and games designed to boost your public speaking confidence in a relaxed environment.
Our camps are offered ONLINE, as well set in inspiring locations across the country, hosted by local clubs that trust us to help you be your guide. Locations include…
Are you ready to join us this summer? And you ready to step up your game? Spots are limited, and our camps are filling up fast. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this transformative experience. Register now and start your journey to becoming a better equipped speech and debater!
Don’t see a location you can get to? Want to host your own camp? For more details and to register, visit our camp page – HERE or contact Heather at heather@lastingimpact.info
Embrace the challenge, enjoy the camaraderie, and leave with skills that will empower you for life. We can’t wait to welcome you to our Speech and Debate camps this summer!
Opportunities to compete online are all over the place, but how prepared are you? Online competition is a great way to participate in speech and debate without leaving the comforts of your home. But how do you prepare to communicate in this environment? Is it as simple as setting up your computer in your bedroom and showing up to deliver a speech? Our coaching team has been booked the last couple weeks… people realize you have to ADAPT if you are speaking to a camera or computer. It’s just different! If you don’t have time to schedule a coaching call before the next time you compete online, read on for the best tips and tricks from online competition experts who helped many in 2021 succeed…
Do you know what the most underrated skill gained from speech and debate is???
The skill is not one that likely jumps to the top of your mind. Yes, speech and debate are great for developing critical thinking, vocabulary, public speaking, advanced nonverbal, interpersonal communication, research, leadership, and problem-solving skills, however, there is one more – let’s call it skill nine – that is absolutely worth highlighting… [Insert drum roll here]… self-awareness.
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