The GDI offers 2, 3, and 4 week institute programs at various levels of experience and skill. Rest assured that we have a program that suits your individual needs. All programs will culminate the GDI Tournament featuring 8 preliminary rounds of competitive debate clearing to an appropriate number of elimination rounds. Combined with practice debates GDI students have the opportunity to get 3 or more tournaments worth of experience while at GDI.
Four Week Programs
Zag Scholars Program: June 30th - July 28th
See the Zag Scholars page for more details on this exclusive lab. 18 of the most competitive students in the nation will be accepted into this 4 week program. If you think you meet the qualifications we encourage you to apply.
Varsity Program: June 30th - July 28th
The Four Week Varsity Program traditionally attracts highly motivated students interested in a challenging lab atmosphere with the opportunity to work with students of similar skill and experience. Students will focus on research and argument development for the first two weeks of institute The final 2 weeks will be spent in an intensive practice regiment and skill development course. Throughout the institute students will receive lectures on a wide variety of topics geared toward students of an advanced experience level.
Three Week Programs
Varsity Program: July 7th - July 28th
The Three Week Varsity Program provides varsity level students a week of research and argument development focus followed by an intensive practice regiment and skill development course. hroughout the institute students will receive lectures on a wide variety of topics geared toward students of an advanced experience level.
Varsity Transition Program: July 7th - June 28th
This Three Week Program is designed for students who are transitioning from JV or Novice to the Varsity division. Students will spend the first few days of institute learning advanced research techniques followed by 2 weeks of intensive practice regiment and skill development course. Throughout the institute students will receive lectures on a wide variety of topics.
Two Week Programs
Varsity Program: July 14th - July 28th
2 weeks of intensive practice regiment and skill development course. Throughout the institute students will receive lectures on a wide variety of topics.
Varsity Transition Program: July 14th - July 28th
2 weeks of intensive practice regiment and skill development course. Throughout the institute students will receive lectures on a wide variety of topics.
Junior Varsity Program: July 14th - July 28th
The JV Program at GDI is designed for students who have previously debated in the novice division and are either transitioning to or continuing in Junior Varsity level competition. The primary focus for this lab is skills development through intensive practice regiment and skills development course. Throughout the institute students will receive lectures on a wide variety of topics designed for this skill level.
Novice Program: July 14th - July 28th
The Novice Program is designed for students with little to no policy debate experience. Students will focus on skills building and learning the fundamentals of speaking and advocacy.
