Program/Curriculum FAQs

IS THIS AN OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI PROGRAM? 

Yes! The Hurricane Debate Institute is an official University of Miami program sponsored by the School of Communication and taught by current and former professors, coaches, and debaters from UM with access to facilities and resources college students have. 

THERE ARE 3 WEEKS, DO THEY REPEAT?

No! All of the weeks involve public speaking and argumentation but we do have different lessons, activities, and topics each week.

For example, one week we may have them work in groups to present a topic and have mini debates on them, another week they would come up with a product/invention and pitch it, and another they would collaborate to come up with their ideal society. Each week culminates in formal debates but the topics for each week differ. For example, the 2025 debate topics differed from fracking to standardized testing for college admissions to daylight saving time. 

IS THERE A REQUIREMENT TO ATTEND MULTIPLE WEEKS? 

Our philosophy is that some is good and more is better. The benefit is practicing speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking skills early and often to gain confidence and comprehension. An additional benefit is learning about different relevant topics and issues in society covered each week.

We have had students who have done one week due to busy summer schedules and others who have come for multiple weeks for multiple years – some even became UM students and members on the debate team! 

CAN WE ATTEND ONE WEEK AND SEE IF MY STUDENT LIKES IT BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR ANOTHER? 

Yes, providing there are still space available for any additional week. We are confident in our program and encourage anyone to try it for a week.

IS IT “SCHOOL”? 

No, it is an educational camp but it is not “school.” Lectures are short so we can maximize student engagement in activities. We have a wide range of activities and topics to keep student’s engaged. For example, refutation can be learned both by having a debate on which superhero would win in a fight and a formal debate over student debt forgiveness. 

We know it is the summer and our goal is a fun and educational experience!

IS THERE HOMEWORK? 

No. Students who are working on speeches or debates for the next day may choose to continue to work at home but it is not a requirement. 

We have heard many positive reports from parents and guardians about how excited some students are to talk or seek advice about upcoming speeches or debates. 

DO YOU OFFER THE HDI JULY OR AUGUST? 

Unfortunately, no, not at this time. For future planning purposes, the camp is almost always the first 3 weeks following the end of the Miami-Dade schools’ academic year. 

WE LOVED IT! DO YOU OFFER ANY PROGRAMS OR DEBATES DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR? 

Unfortunately, no. If that ever changes, our HDI family will be the first to know!

Logistical FAQs

WHERE IS THE DEBATE INSTITUTE LOCATED?

The UM Hurricane Debate Institute is located at the University of Miami School of Communication on UM’s Gables campus. The address is 5100 Brunson Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146. For directions, please visit – http://com.miami.edu/directions.

Drop-off and pick-up will occur at the courtyard to the entrance of the School of Communication. 

Specific details will be sent out at the end of May to those who are registered. 

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF TUITION? 

Tuition includes quality instruction and materials that are unique to the Hurricane Debate Institute. Students will receive assessments of their skills and areas for improvement. Students will receive a certificate of completion.

WHAT MATERIALS WILL STUDENTS NEED? 

Students will need paper and writing instruments. Access to UM computers can be provided as needed. Students may bring phones and computers but they are the student’s responsibility. 

Some choose to bring a sweatshirt or coat because the AC is the classrooms can be chilly. We encourage you to bring an umbrella as it is summer in Miami and we walk to the food court for lunch. 

DO STUDENTS NEED TO BRING LUNCH? 

No, students may bring their lunch or bring money to buy lunch at the UM Hurricane Food Court. The only exception is the Juneteenth federal holiday when campus dining is closed. Everyone in the camp will walk over to the Food Court for lunch and eat there during the lunch period regardless of if they are buying lunch there or not.

Payment FAQs

WHAT METHODS OF PAYMENT DOES THE INSTITUTE ACCEPT? 

The UM Hurricane Debate institute accepts credit card payments. All payments are run through UM School of Communication’s official payment portal to ensure safe and successful transactions. Since it is all secure through UM, camp staff do not engage in any of the transactions nor have access to financial data. We only receive the same receipt as you. 

If you want to pay cash, please reach out to hurricanedebate@gmail.com. 

We cannot accept checks. 

HOW DO I PAY? 

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.

WHEN IS PAYMENT DUE? 

The non-refundable $75 application fee is due at the time of submitting the application in order to secure your spot for the summer. The $75 application fee is *in addition* to any tuition. 

The full tuition payment is due by the Friday before your student’s program starts. See the main page for the due dates for this year’s HDI. 

HOW MUCH DO I OWE? 

The payment portal does not have any drop down or set prices listed due to the varying amounts based on number of weeks and potential discounts. 

If you are unsure of the total, please email hurricanedebate@gmail.com

The application fee is always $75 regardless of tuition discounts. 

IS THE APPLICATION FEE REFUNDABLE? 

No, the application fee is not refundable. In order for the Hurricane Debate Institute to provide the highest quality instruction, we need to be able to plan ahead.