The PF Debate Camp Built by Coaches Who Still Compete

PFBC Summer Camp is open to middle and high school students (grades 6–12) competing in Public Forum debate. The camp is designed for experienced debaters on the national circuit but motivated competitors at any level are welcome. Both residential and commuter options are available.

PFBC focuses exclusively on Public Forum (PF) debate. Unlike camps that split attention across Lincoln-Douglas Policy and World Schools — every session drill and round at PFBC is built around PF. That single-format focus is what allows us to go deeper than any general debate camp.

PFBC Summer Camp 2026 runs July 12–22 at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). The campus is located in the heart of Chicago with easy access to public transit restaurants and downtown. Residential and commuter registration options are both available.

PFBC is built for debaters who want to get better — not just learn about debate. Our coaching staff is made up of seasoned national circuit competitors and experienced coaches — not first-year-outs filling lab leader slots. With a 1:4 staff-to-student ratio (compared to the 5:1 industry standard) you get real coaching from people who've been in the rounds that matter. And with 19 competitive rounds — more than any other PF camp — you'll spend your time actually debating not sitting in lectures. Practice is the fastest way to improve and no camp gives you more of it.

The PFBC evidence brief includes pro and con contentions blocks frontlines cut cards and framework options for the upcoming topic — all compiled by PFBC's coaching staff. Campers receive the brief before camp so they arrive ready to learn how to run adapt and improve it across 19 rounds.

Pricing varies by residential and commuter options. Families can save $400 by bundling PFBC Summer Camp with an NDC Travel Team membership for the fall season. Visit the registration page for current pricing or contact us for information about financial aid and payment plans.

A typical day includes morning strategy sessions afternoon competitive rounds with detailed judge feedback evening drills and case workshops and dedicated office hours with coaches. With 13 total hours of office hours across camp every student gets significant one-on-one time outside of scheduled sessions.

PFBC maintains a 1:4 staff-to-student ratio — one coach for every four campers. This is the lowest ratio of any major PF debate camp in the country and ensures every student receives direct personalized coaching throughout the ten-day program.

Yes. PFBC ends with a full bracket tournament judged by the camp's coaching staff. It's designed to simulate a real national circuit tournament environment so students can pressure-test everything they've built during camp before the fall season begins.

Yes. PFBC offers both residential and commuter registration. Commuter students participate in the full camp curriculum — all sessions rounds office hours and the end-of-camp tournament — without the overnight stay. UIC's location in central Chicago makes commuting easy via public transit or car.