/ Precollege Programs/Portland Speech and Debate Institute

Portland Speech and Debate Institute

Unlock your persuasive powers at Lewis & Clark’s Portland Speech and Debate Institute—a one- or two-week forensics precollege summer program for high school students (rising 9th-12th graders). Improve your debating and research skills, connect with mentors, and earn at least $20,000 in scholarships when you attend Lewis & Clark College.

Program Overview

Dates: July 12–25, 2026
Location: Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon
Commuter Tuition: $1,350/two weeks (includes food)
Residential Tuition: $2,300/two weeks (includes food and lodging)
Application: Will be live soon
L&C Scholarship: At least $20,000 for admitted students who complete a precollege program

What Is the Portland Speech and Debate Institute?

The Portland Speech and Debate Institute is a precollege summer program for high school students interested in the art of persuasion, and it takes place on Lewis & Clark’s beautiful college campus in Portland, Oregon, from July 12–25. Students can choose to attend one or two weeks of programming. The program is run by Lewis & Clark’s speech and debate program.

Over the course of the camp, you will learn about Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, Parliamentary, and Public Forum debate formats. Thanks to a small student-to-faculty ratio, you will receive individualized attention in small labs and group work. Our curriculum is designed to improve debating on every level, from local to national circuits, and adapts to the skill level of each participant, whether you are a novice, varsity, or somewhere in between.

What Will Students Learn?

Throughout the week, you will be inspired by experienced debate coaches and students where you will focus on building up your research skills and participate in daily drills, practice debates, and two full tournaments. We’ve built an inclusive and transformative experience that will integrate your educational experience with entertaining activities on campus and in Portland.

Real-World Skill Development

Participate in daily drills and a large number of practice debates (with re-dos, stop/starts), as well as full practice tournaments.
Learn how to create high-quality research.
Understand the difference between Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, Parliamentary, and Public Forum debate circuits, and learn the types of skills necessary to succeed in each.

How Can I Apply?

The application for summer 2026 will be live soon.

How Much Does it Cost?

Tuition rates are below. These prices cover all on-campus activities, housing (for residential students), meals, and transportation to and from the airport as needed.

Commuter Tuition

$750 per week; $1,350 for both weeks
Includes six lunches and five dinners
$250 deposit due by May 31

Residential Tuition

$1,200 per week; $2,300 for both weeks
Includes housing and three meals per day
$400 deposit due by May 31

Explore More Precollege Programs Take a Virtual Tour of Campus

Earn at Least $20,000 in Scholarship Funds to Attend L&C

Students who complete a precollege summer program and are later admitted to L&C will get preferential consideration for merit-based aid and are guaranteed to receive a minimum of $20,000/year in renewable scholarship funding in the form of a Sequoia or Oregon Maple scholarship.

Sequoia or Oregon Maple academic merit scholarships granted at the time of admission will already take into account any participation in a Lewis & Clark precollege summer program for high school students. Students with strong academic credentials who attend a precollege summer program and are later admitted to Lewis & Clark may find they are eligible for a Sequoia or Oregon Maple scholarship that exceeds the $20,000/year guaranteed minimum!

Contact Us

For more specific information, please contact jgantt@lclark.edu.