Two Weeks. Six Skills. One Braver Kid.
Stockton Camps runs two weeks of speech & debate instruction at the University of the Pacific, July 12 to 26, 2026. National-champion coaches. Small classes. A curriculum honed over seven summers at Ascend, where we've trained over 1,000 students and helped them grow into stronger thinkers and confident speakers.
The Facts at a Glance.
What Your Student Actually Learns.
Every camper works on the same six skill areas every day, taught by coaches who specialize in beginners.
Public speaking
From standing in front of a room to projecting your voice. We cover the muscle memory that makes speaking in public feel normal.
Argumentation & research
How to build a case from scratch: pick a thesis, find evidence, structure a logical chain, and defend it under questioning.
Cross-examination
How to listen actively, spot flaws in an opponent's case, and respond on your feet without losing your composure.
Performance & delivery
Pace, tone, eye contact, gesture. The difference between giving a speech and being heard.
Critical thinking
Habits of mind that pay off in every classroom: building structured arguments, spotting weak reasoning, and changing your mind when the evidence says you should.
Confidence
The hardest skill of all, and the one most likely to come home with your student. We've watched it happen for hundreds of campers.
Grouped by Age. Tailored by Level.
We assign every camper to a small lab based on their age and experience, so a 7th-grade first-timer isn't in the same room as a high school national qualifier. Same coaches, same curriculum, calibrated to where your student actually is. That's how everyone grows.
What a Typical Day Looks Like.
Mornings are for learning, afternoons are for practicing, and there's always time to be a kid in between. 9 AM to 6 PM for commuters. Residential campers continue through the evening.
Morning Warm-Ups
Drop-off on campus. Voice exercises, group games, and a quick huddle to set the day's focus.
Lab Time
Practice rounds, lectures, drills, and structured activities. The meat of the day's instruction.
Lunch
Lunch together with coaches and fellow campers. Lunch is included in tuition.
Lab Time
More practice rounds, lectures, drills, and activities, building on what you learned in the morning.
Group Learning & Office Hours
Wrap-up with the full group, plus one-on-one time with coaches for anything you're still working through.
Commuter Pickup
Out the door, ready for dinner. (Residential campers continue below.)
Dinner
Family-style dinner on campus with the rest of the residential community.
Evening Free Time
Additional instruction, fun activities, time to relax, or prep for tomorrow. Your call.
Room Checks
Quick check-in with the residential staff.
Lights Out
End of day. Rest up for tomorrow.
Students Say It Best.
Hear from campers about what changed for them, in the rounds they win and the lives they lead afterward.
Ascend has quite literally changed my life. Beyond public speaking skills, it teaches you the determination, grit, and adaptability critical to any career or field. Skills I now leverage every day as a student at Stanford.
When I discovered debate, I dreamed of being a National Finalist. But it felt like just that, a dream. Luckily for me, Ascend is where dreams are made.
Ready to Give It a Shot?
Spots are limited. The best next step is a quick call. We'll help you figure out if camp is the right fit for your student.