ASU Forensics in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication has assumed management of Southwest Speech and Debate. The ASU Forensics team has a long history of excellence, and is striving to improve the community by continuing to offer a top-quality camp experience that is affordable and accessible.
How are students supervised?
Students spend the majority of their time 9 am to 9 pm with their coaches in lab, and eat meals together in the dining hall or on ASU’s campus. After 9 pm, once students are all back inside the Barrett gates and the commuters have gone home, they are supervised by the resident coaches who all stay on the same floors with our students.
What happens if I can’t stay the whole time?
Occasionally we do have students who need to come late or leave early. We are able to accommodate you accordingly, but we do incur most of our expense up-front when it comes to room and board. We can possibly prorate some of the expenses for rooms and meals if we have the information in advance. Contact info@swsdi.org by May 15th.
I’m coming from out of town, how does transportation to and from the airport work?
We regret that we are unable to provide transportation to and from the airport due to insurance considerations with ASU. However, the airport is only about 2 miles from campus, and ridesharing services and public transit are available and convenient. We will provide additional information in the welcome packet when you register for camp.
How is food taken care of?
We contract with Sun Devil Dining/ASU Food Services for our meals. There are also a number of outside dining options nearby, which students often choose to frequent. Camp provides 3 meals a day, and the dining hall offers options for vegetarians, and people with food allergies. For more information on the food available, please check out Sun Devil Dining
What is the schedule every day?
We have breakfast at 8, begin labs at 9, and have lectures and activities until 9 pm each evening. We break for lunch around noon, and have dinner around 5:00pm. Bed-check is at 11 pm. This is subject to changes/adjustments, but is generally how the time is spent.
When is Money due?
Your Tuition balance is due by the time Camp begins. We can make different arrangements if that is necessary. Please contact us at info@swsdi.orgg if you’d like to make alternative payment arrangements.
Can I do one week of a two-week event?
Our curriculum is carefully planned to use every minute of camp for something productive, with each lesson and activity leading into the next skill. Regardless whether the student is a novice or advanced, the student will miss important parts of the camp experience. We can potentially make other arrangements, but students should generally plan on a full two-week experience.
I am a coach, is there any way for me to come learn about these events?
We do a multitude of coaching scholarships each year. Please contact the camp directors (info@swsdi.org) for more information.
Aren’t they ever going to have any fun?
We think speech and debate IS fun. This is an academic, competitive camp for students who have competed or want to compete in Speech and Debate. Students will be busy doing something they love, but we won’t be spending hours and hours off task – even our games are designed to help students become better speakers, listeners, and thinkers. We also typically offer a “mandatory fun night” with activities for students, and we will find a way to celebrate the Independence Day holiday together this year.
How are students supervised?
Our dormitory facilities are very secure, requiring key card access for entry. Each floor we occupy has SWSDI Staff members in residence to supervise and assist. Students are escorted by their lab leaders to classrooms and meals on ASU campus. We do a bed-check at 11PM.
Can I visit my student?
We understand that it can be difficult to leave your student in the care of others for a week or two. However, in order to make sure camp functions properly and students get the appropriate experience from it, we are unable to allow visits from parents, especially to the dorms. There will be time available where visits may be permitted, and on Sunday mornings during camp we offer some free time so that students may go with their families or attend church services.
My student has an appointment, an exam, or some sort of pressing obligation. Can I pick her up?
Certainly! This is something that we frequently encounter. Please let us know prior to the beginning of camp, if possible, so we can schedule it accordingly. If something comes up during camp, please contact one of our Student Life Coordinators at the phone number in the welcome packet. The SLC will be happy to help fetch your student from class, and get them to the right place when they return.