HDI SUMMER CAMP
**The 2026 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 35th 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 2025 Social Justice Debates Fall Championship Runners Up and 3 Time ACC Debate Champions!
–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). He is a member of the Consultative Committee for the Miami Dade Urban Debate League (MDUDL) and works closely with the National Prison Debate League (NPDL), including coaching prison debate teams.
MEET THE INSTRUCTORS
Davalyn Suarez is currently in her 9th 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
2026 DATES & TIMES
Classes will be hosted Monday to Friday from 9:00am-3:00pm ET.
Week 1 – June 8-12
Week 2 – June 15-19
Week 3 – June 22-26
TUITION
**There is a non-refundable $75 application fee that is in addition to the price of tuition.**
Tuition for one week is $550
Tuition for two weeks is $1,000
Tuition for three weeks is $1,500
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
Full payment is due the Friday before your child’s program begins.
Week 1 (June 8-12) – Full Payment due June 5
Week 2 (June 15-19) – Full Payment due June 12
Week 3 (June 22-26) – Full Payment due June 19
Early Bird – by May 8
Those submitting the non-refundable $100/week deposit by May 8 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 (all campuses): 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.
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 email hurricanedebate@gmail.com
