Why Lux Debate Camp?

I decided to start Lux Debate Camp, because I'm passionate about the need to train our young people in logical argumentation and critical thinking skills.  And training students in debate probably is the best way to help them develop logical argumentation and critical thinking skills.  And with debate, students learn public speaking skills, research skills and teamwork skills to boot!

Charity Starts at Home

I sent my own daughter to a debate camp last summer, and I observed the classes she attended.  It was the biggest, most popular summer debate camp in Silicon Valley.  But it was frivolous.  It was mostly just silly fun and games for the students as well as the very young, inexperienced instructors.  I felt obligated to teach my daughter the principles that were supposed to be covered in each class, because I knew the instructors weren't teaching them.  Gomer Pyle said, "Don't criticize what somebody else is doing, unless you can do it better yourself."  So, I've decided to do it better myself.  (Actually, I don't know if Gomer actually said that, but it sounds like something he'd say.)

Critical Thinking - A Lost Art

Critical thinking almost has become a completely lost art in our current culture. This is one of the greatest failures of our current public education system, and it has absolutely dire implications for our society - if we don't turn it around.  We must turn it around.  Our nation's survival - and even the survival of Western Civilization - depends on it.  

Currently, in many of our nation's schools, students are being taught what to think, but they are not being trained how to think. And this is the case from kindergarten through graduate school. This is exactly opposite of what good education should be. The ability to think critically and logically is absolutely essential to the well being of individuals, families, communities and nations.  We must regain this skill in our culture.

I used to work as a financial statement auditor (not tax! financial statements) in "Big 4" public accounting. I was shocked and alarmed by the widespread lack of critical thinking skills among new college graduates - and these were the best and brightest accounting graduates! And I'm not alone in this assessment.  In a 2016 research report PayScale found that 60% of managers of new college graduates cited "critical thinking / problem solving" as the skill most lacking in new college graduates beginning their careers.  "Attention to detail" was cited by 56% of managers as an important skill that is lacking in new college graduates, and 46% of managers listed "communication" as a skill that is missing.  "Writing proficiency" was listed by 44% of managers as a skill that is missing in new college graduates, and 39% of managers listed "public speaking" as an important skill that is missing.  In light of these statistics, I propose that debate is not just as a "nice to have" extracurricular activity, but rather an essential part of academic training that every student should receive.

Public Speaking - An Important Skill in Many Careers

Many people have a great fear of public speaking.  And probably all of us - even the best and most experienced public speakers - still feel some nervousness and an adrenaline rush when we stand up to speak in front of a large crowd.  But those who are able to overcome their fears and master the art of public speaking will enjoy many advantages and rewards in life.

Pubic speaking benefits many more vocations than just politics. In just about any career field, the ability to stand up in front on an audience and speak well and communicate effectively is an asset of incalculable value.

Effective public speaking techniques certainly can be taught and learned. But the best way to become good at public speaking is to do it!  Practice makes perfect.  Public speaking is one of those things in which people become proficient by doing.

Debate - Bringing it All Together

Probably there is no better single skill to prepare middle school and high school students for academic success in college, as well as professional success in life, than debate.  Studying debate develops and accelerates myriad skills in students, such as critical thinking, research skills, oral and written communication skills, public speaking and team work. And if done rightly, it also tends to develop intellectual curiosity and a love of learning in the student.

Debate has a long and noble history in Western Civilization, going all the way back to ancient Greece.  One of the core values of traditional Western Civilization is that ideas matter, and the best ideas should have preeminence in civilization.  But, as anyone with a good idea knows, it takes much more than coming up with a good idea to see that good idea through to fruition and make an impact on the world.  The idea must be communicated to others.  Audiences must be persuaded of the goodness or value of the idea. Teams must be motivated to act upon the idea to make the world a better place. And, as anyone who has tried to implement a good idea can verify, opposition to a new idea - even a very good one - invariably arises!  Thus, the one who would bring a new good idea to fruition in society must be able to put forth a sound and convincing argument as to why his or her idea should be chosen and embraced despite the opposition.

Factual evidence proves that middle school and high school students who participate in debate have higher rates of graduation, have higher rates of college attendance, do better in college, and have greater career success.  But life is more than diplomas and dollars.  Learning debate enhances life skills and will provide life-long benefits and rewards to the student.

I'm passtionate about helping your student realize the lifelong benefits that training in debate can provide.