Summer Debate Workshop Information Letter
July 19-25, 2026
Information
We are delighted that you have chosen to participate in the Baylor Debate Workshop. We are confident that we have assembled the finest possible faculty, as I am sure you will agree when they are presented to you on Sunday evening following registration. We are also confident that we have an outstanding group of students this summer. To those of you from out of state, we say welcome to Texas. We are looking forward to showing you real Texas hospitality. To all of you, we say welcome to Baylor!!
What to bring
Dress
Texas is a warm state. Waco is even warmer. Please pack casual for warm climate. Formal “dressed up” outfits are not necessary. The dorms contain coin-operated washers and dryers for doing laundry during the week, should the need arise.
Debate Supplies
The particular materials depend on the individuals' preference. Students who debate “paperless” (strongly encouraged, as it is the now virtually the norm in most debate districts), will need a laptop computer, a wireless mouse (encouraged), and maybe a few flash drives. If you still choose to debate on paper, that is OK too, just be sure that in addition to your laptop computer, you bring a printer, paper, file folders, and a tub/box to keep your files in. The camp evidence and research will be available electronically. We will not be printing a set of the camp evidence for each camper. Rather, students who choose to can print the files they need on their own.
Housing Supplies
Students must bring linens, pillows, towels and blankets. The dorm beds have extra long twin mattresses.
Money
Room and board are included in the price of camp tuition. Additional money may be desired for additional debate supplies, extra meals, or late night snacks, etc. The amount depends on the student's personal lifestyle.
Transportation
Is basically up to you. We will NOT provide transportation to or from the Dallas or Austin airports. If you fly into either of those cities for the workshop, you must arrange your own transportation to the Baylor campus. We WILL provide a shuttle service to and from the Waco airport, but you should communicate your flight details to the workshop director no later than July 5, 2026, so that we can plan a shuttle schedule. Students are expected to walk while attending the workshop (to lectures, meals, etc). Those students who drive to the workshop will not be allowed to drive while on campus, nor will campers be allowed to ride with students who drive/commute to the workshop.
Registration
Registration for the workshop will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Castellaw Communication Center, Room 101. Please do not go to the dorms since your dorm room assignment will be made at registration. Following registration you will have time to move into the dorm, unpack, and have dinner prior to our first all-workshop meeting that evening.
Fees
The workshop fee (what you have paid or are paying through the Active Registration System) covers room, board, tuition, several handbooks, electronic copies of the camp evidence files, and an activities fee during the workshop. All unpaid fees are due by July 5, 2026.
Housing Information
Dorm rooms are designed to accommodate two people depending on the type room. If you have roommate preference(s), please so indicate on the appropriate form; otherwise, we will assign you a roommate at random, adjusted by age. Each dorm will have a Baylor University Resident Director as well as a Debate Workshop Resident Director. Additionally, the great majority of our staff will be housed in the dorms establishing a ratio of at least one staff member/counselor to each ten students. The dorms will also have reasonable curfews. Wi-Fi access is available both in the dormitory and in Baylor buildings.
Your workshop fee covers housing during the workshop. You will be issued a keycard that will provide access to your dormitory room and will also serve as your meal card.
Internet Access
Students will have access to the AirBear wireless internet system, and also to networked computers at Baylor University. Students are also encouraged to call home regularly, and cellphones are permitted, but may be shut off or put in silent mode during lectures or debates.
Communication-Mail
All mail sent to you during the workshop should be addressed to you as indicated below:
(Your Name)
Baylor Debaters' Workshop/Baylor University
One Bear Place # 97368
Waco, Texas 76798-7368
Express Mail, Federal Express or any overnight mail should be addressed as:
(Your Name)
Baylor Debaters’ Workshop
One Bear Place #97368
150 Castellaw
Waco, TX 76798
Mail is distributed in the dorms at 11 p.m. each night. (Telephone messages that are not emergencies are delivered at this time also.)
Prescription Medications
If you take prescription medications, you will need to bring a letter of instruction from your physician indicating the appropriate dosage.
Leaving campus during the workshop
Students may leave campus only if they provide both written and verbal permission from a parent or guardian. Call the workshop director, Dr. Edwards, at 254-744-2443. The written permission can be e-mailed (Richard_Edwards@baylor.edu) or faxed to 254-710-1563. All of the students' needs can be met within the campus perimeter, which includes the Baylor Student Union, specialty shops, cleaners, convenience stores, post office, and fast food establishments. We discourage students from bringing a car, but if they do, they may not use it during the workshop without the consent of the workshop director. Students will be required to turn in their keys to the workshop director at registration.
Cancellations and Refunds
No refund of any amount is available for students who are participants in the workshop and who:
are requested to leave the workshop for disciplinary reasons
leave the Institute in violation of workshop rules
We realize that from time to time a situation may arise that necessitates the cancellation of the program. In the event the workshop is canceled by Baylor University, a refund will be issued to you.
If the registration is canceled by a student, keep in mind that the $400 deposit is neither refundable nor transferable.
If you believe that you might need to cancel your registration, we advise you to strongly consider purchasing the cancellation insurance made available in the online registration system.
It is not unusual for schools to pay all or part of the fees for the debate workshop participants. In the event a refund is made for such participants, the refund will be made to the school.
Disciplinary Action
We do not anticipate any major discipline problems. You will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with your acceptance packet. We hope that this will take care of all disciplinary problems that should arise. Other problems will be handled by Dr. Edwards and appropriate authorities. A full discussion of the camp rules and guidelines for appropriate behavior will take place at the opening meeting,
Acceptance to the Workshop
You can assume that if you have returned all the required forms by the proper dates that your file is in order and that you have been accepted. Please feel free to contact us with any further questions. We look forward to seeing you and working with you this summer!
Questions regarding the workshop may be directed to:
Dr. Richard Edwards
Workshop Director
Richard_Edwards@baylor.edu
Cell: (254) 744-2443