These elements combine to meet personal and competitive goals. At Summer at the Center, we provide the highest quality facilities and instructors to help students meets their personal goals.

Unlike other institutes that commodify students and the activity, the Summer at the Center is committed to improving student performances while at the same time, not capitalizing on them. We will never suggest that a two-week institute will make any student a national champion. We will work hard with students and believe that they will improve because of their exposure to our curriculum. However, the Center will never advertise nor take credit for any of the accomplishments of the students that attend our institutes. We are satisfied with congratulating them and their coaches on their successes.

The Summer at the Center is dedicated to student improvement and no expense will be spared to ensure that each student receives the very best educational tools necessary to succeed. Our commitment to student development has been the driving force behind the innovation that makes the Center so unique. We are constantly working to improve the quality of the institute and we offer a full service institute to provide students with an unparalleled opportunity. Finally, we work to make the summer institute experience affordable for students by providing the highest quality service at one of the lowest costs of any institute. No other institute in the nation provides as many tuition discounts and opportunities as the Center.

The newest face of Summer at the Center

Summer at the Center was originally founded in order to focus on extemporaneous speaking and to develop an in-depth study of domestic and foreign policy issues. Today, the Summer at the Center continues in its strong tradition of extemporaneous leadership and has expanded to accommodate a growing need, in the Midwest and across the nation, to include interp events, oratory, novice debate (Lincoln Douglas and Policy), and a dedicated student congress division.

Summer at the Center Details

The 2005 session of Summer at the Center will be held from July 10-24 at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. This year, students and staff will be housed on campus. The Center is open to all high school students including anyone who will enter grades 8-12 in the 2005-6 school year.

Tuition for this 14-day event is $1,500 for Residential students and $1,000 for Commuter students without a meal plan. Early registration is due by April 1st. All registrations received by April 1st will receive a $100 discount off tuition.

Space is limited, especially for the Advanced Extemp Group, so please apply early. Registrations received between April 1st and May 14th will be charged full tuition. Applications received after May 15th must be accompanied by a deposit of one half of tuition fees. Applications received after June 15th will be waitlisted and will be accepted based on space availability and instructor availability. All applications mailed after June 15th must include full tuition. Any applicants who are not accepted will be not be charged any fees.

Several schools have been particularly loyal to the Center over its  history. In appreciation, we are offering discounts for schools that send at least four students to the Center this year. Coaches can help make the camp experience even more affordable by encouraging more students to attend the Center this year. Students could very easily spend just $1,250 or $750 for Residential or Commuter tuition, respectively.

In addition to several merit-based scholarships offered throughout the year at particular tournaments across the nation, the Center understands that everyone can not afford the luxury of a summer institute experience. Depending on enrollment, financial aid may be offered to students who apply. 

Students interested in developing into champions enroll in the Summer at the Center program in one of eight divisions: advanced extemp studies, general extemp speaking, original oratory, student congress, advanced interpretation, general interpretation, Policy and Lincoln Douglas debate. Each division is headed by a veteran Center staff member who is also a recognized high school coach. Throughout the institute, all students will attend lectures and seminars by guests of the Center.

All enrollment materials must be mailed to the Center prior to arrival. Students and/or parents will receive an enrollment summary by email and may request an enrollment update or fee statement at any time. No student will be allowed to participate without health and medical release forms signed by a parent or guardian.

The Summer at the Center is committed to the highest level of service to its students. Our staff to student ratio is always  less than 1:5, students are offered numerous opportunities to steer their course of study to focus particular needs, coaches’ requests for specific skills training are high priorities, and our attention to detail is unparalleled.

 

Join us in Minnesota this summer for

an experience you will never forget!