Georgetown Public Speaking and Argumentation Camp

**Applications will open on November 15th**

Dates

June 28th-July 10th, 2026

Tuition

$3,000.00 Per Resident. Financial aid is available for those
with demonstrated financial need.

Details

Georgetown’s Public Speaking and Argumentation camp is a two-week all-day program that will teach your child the fundamentals of public speaking and argumentation. This program is geared toward students who are new to public speaking.  The first week of the program will focus on the basics of public speaking and will end with a speaking competition.  The second week will focus on argumentation and debate and will end with a debate competition. Students’ time in lab groups will provide time to hone existing skills while developing new skills.

At the conclusion of the workshop, students will have a better grasp on public speaking, rhetoric, research practices and argumentation.  They will gain valuable tools to strengthen their confidence and leadership as well as learn how to research, develop and deliver arguments and to persuade audiences.

Faculty

Ryan Levesque

Director of Speech & Debate at The Potomac School

Ryan is the Director of Speech & Debate at The Potomac School in McLean, Virginia. He is a certified public speaking instructor and championship speech and argumentation coach with 18 years of instructional experience. His mission as an educator is to both nurture and challenge each student to enhance their abilities and confidence. Ryan believes in the transformative power of public speaking, as it positively impacts a person’s self-confidence and thus, their ability to achieve their loftiest goals. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson agrees, describing her participation in public speaking and argumentation as “an experience that I can say without hesitation was the one activity that best prepared me for future success in law and in life.” Ryan’s work as a speech coach is featured in the 2025 Sundance Film Festival documentary, SPEAK. He is thrilled to join the incredible staff and students at the Georgetown Debate Seminar this summer.