HDI SUMMER CAMP
**The 2024 University of Miami’s Hurricane Debate Institute (HDI) instruction will be in person again at UM’s School of Communication on the Coral Gables Campus this summer! All rising 6-12 graders are invited to learn public speaking, improve their argumentation skills, and debate with us!**
ABOUT THE HDI SUMMER CAMP
The University of Miami Debate Team invites Middle School and High School students of all experience levels to participate in the 33rd Hurricane Debate Institute offering instruction and practice in: Public Speaking, Argumentation, Debate, and Public Forum.
The Hurricane Debate Institute is an official University of Miami summer camp sponsored by the School of Communication. The instructors are current and former professors, coaches, and debaters from the University of Miami.
The University of Miami Debate Team are the 2023 Social Justice Debates National Runners Up and the 2022 Champions of the ACC Debate Tournament!
–Click the pictures below to read more about the HDI–
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Patrick Waldinger is the Director of the Hurricane Debate Institute. Patrick is the Co-Director of Debate and a Senior Lecturer in Communication Studies at the University of Miami. He has 25+ years of experience in the activity. He currently is the President of the American Debate Association (ADA) and was the former President of the Cross Examination Debate Organization (CEDA).
MEET THE INSTRUCTORS
Sophia Lopez is currently a senior at the University of Miami, pursuing a major in Political Science with a minor in Communication Studies. Her journey with the Hurricane Debate Institute (HDI) began in the fifth grade, marking the start of a profound and enduring connection with debate. This year marks her third as an instructor at HDI, a role that not only allows her to share my passion for debate, but also enables her to contribute to an institution that has played a significant part in her academic and personal growth.
Davalyn Suarez is currently in her 7th year as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Communication and has 10+years of experience in debate activity. Davalyn is an attorney, who has worked in the fields of Personal Injury Protection and most recently worked as a Tenant Rights attorney at Legal Services of Greater Miami. As a tenant’s right attorney, Davalyn’s work focused on representing mobile homeowners and mobile homeowners’ associations against developers.
Davalyn earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida International University in English Literature and her Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University College of Law. Prior to becoming an attorney Davalyn worked for several years as an English teacher, Department Chair and Debate Coach at Miami Senior High. Davalyn earned her law degree in the evening program while working full-time. While in law school Davalyn served as the Chairperson for Publications and an advocate on the health law travel team for Moot Court Honor Society and as the Vice President to the Cuban American Bar Association Student Chapter. She has now returned to teaching full time where she teaches English and Dual Enrollment Law classes at her alma mater, Miami Senior High.
PROGRAMS OFFERED
The HDI offers several programs for students. Click below for more information.
Middle School Public Speaking & Argumentation
High School Public Speaking & Argumentation
2024 DATES & TIMES
Classes will be hosted Monday to Friday from 9:00am-3:00pm ET.
Week 1 – June 10-14
Week 2 – June 17-21
Week 3 – June 24-28
TUITION
**There is a non-refundable $75 application fee that is in addition to the price of tuition.**
Tuition for one week is $525
Tuition for two weeks is $975
Tuition for three weeks is $1,400
Tuition includes quality instruction and materials that are unique to the Hurricane Debate Institute. Each week covers unique and different information. Students will receive assessments of their skills and areas for improvement. Students will receive a certificate of completion.
Deposit & Full Payment Info Deadlines
A non-refundable $100/week deposit is due 2 weeks before the start of your child’s program.
Note: The deposit is in addition to the $75 application fee, but the deposit itself counts toward your tuition payment.
Full payment is due the Friday before your child’s program begins.
Week 1 (June 10-14) – Deposit due by May 27; Full Payment due June 7
Week 2 (June 17-21) – Deposit due by June 3; Full Payment due June 14
Week 3 (June 24-28) – Deposit due by June 10; Full Payment due June 21
Early Bird – by May 10
Those submitting a non-refundable $100/week deposit by May 10 will receive 5% off of the overall tuition per child.
Note: The deposit is in addition to the $75 application fee, but the deposit itself counts toward your tuition payment.
Discounts
UM Employees: 10% discount on overall tuition for your child.
Siblings: A $50 sibling discount on tuition for each sibling per week.
APPLICATION & PAYMENT
**There is a non-refundable $75 application fee that is in addition to the price of tuition.**
There is a two step application process:
1. Click the “Apply Online” button below to fill out the application (Applications can also be emailed to hurricanedebate@gmail.com).
2. Click the “Pay Online” button below to pay the application fee.
**Registration is not complete until both the application and non-refundable $75 application fee have been received.**
Payment instructions:
Click the “Pay Online” button below or visit http://www.com.miami.edu/payment. When there click on “Access the SOC Marketplace”.
Select “Hurricane Debate Institute” from the categories enter the amount and finish the transaction.
Please remember to confirm payment. An email receipt will be sent as soon as the payment goes through.
All major credit cards accepted.
Questions? Please call (786) 693-2156 or email hurricanedebate@gmail.com
