FAQ
Helpful Information
ARE THE CLUB MEETINGS PRACTICES OR CLASSES?
The 2 hour club meetings will be divided up into part lectures and part practices. Usually the first 30-60 minutes will be devoted to teaching a subject, and the remaining time will be divided into drills, exercises, and mock debates. Our team of junior instructors will spend some time lecturing, but we are also committed to helping your student develop his/her skills in an actual debate setting, where our instructors will be available to give feedback.
WHAT EXACTLY DOES YOUTH VOICES DO?
Youth Voices is dedicated to combining argumentation and advocacy. Students will learn speech and debate skills to bolster their communication, through coaching and development by our team of junior instructors. Then, they will receive unique opportunities to apply those communication and persuasion skills through activism and political engagement. Whether that’s through organizing fundraisers and events in teams, or engaging in candidate forums, Youth Voices provides a critical platform for young people to harness their voices in meaningful ways.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN?
There is no rigid age limit, but we strongly recommend that members are 6th grade and up. This is because it is very difficult for younger students to grasp complex speech and debate skills, given the levels of reading comprehension and writing necessary. In terms of experience, Youth Voices welcomes students of all experience levels to join our weekly meetings. Whether you’re a 6th grader just getting started with debate, or a seasoned high school champion, we welcome you to join our program.