1. What linens are included?
Emerson College provides a linen package, including:

  • Sheets
  • Pillow Case
  • Pillow
  • Blanket
  • Towel (Small)

Students are encouraged to bring towels with them as the ones provided in the linen package tend to be small. There is laundry service for a fee at the dorms at Emerson.

2. Does my student have to navigate their way to Emerson from Logan Airport or South Station alone?

Nope.  Summit Debate staffers will meet students at Logan in baggage claim or at South Station train terminal and bring them the rest of the way back to Emerson’s campus.

3. Is there security at the institute?

Yes. Emerson College has its own security force that operates throughout the university 24 hours a day. These trained professionals ensure that all housing and facilities are safe and operational.

The Dorm at Piano Row (Summit Debate housing) has two guard stations to pass prior to gaining access to the building. Each student will be given an access card in order to be allowed to enter. Students are not allowed to bring guests to their rooms that are not attending the camp.

Students wishing to go to any site that is off campus must sign out and in at the Camp Office. Students are allowed to go to various places within a short distance from campus provided they are with at least two other students.

4. Can I fly in a day early or leave a day late?
Students who are traveling from long distances may have to arrive early. Summit Debate can accommodate those students! However, Summit Debate cannot accommodate requests for late departures. We need to be out of the dorms by noon on departure days without exception.

Students can arrive on July 17th between 3pm and 10 pm for a fee of $100.00 and students are responsible for their own transportation to the dorm. The average taxi fare is between Logan Airport and Emerson College is $30.00. The average taxi fare from South Station to Emerson College is $5.00

5. How do I contact the Summit Debate office while camp is in session?
There are a few ways to contact us before or during the summer session. If you have questions prior to the start of camp you can contact us at info@summitdebate.com. You can also call us at (954)-882-3968 between the hours of 10am and 8pm (eastern standard time) Monday through Saturday. If you leave a message we will return your call within 24 hours.

During session we will provide you with the contact info you will need and phone lines will be answered 24 hours, seven days a week during all sessions.

6. What forms must be filled out before I can attend camp?

  • Health Form: Along with the health form we require a copy of your insurance card
  • Travel Form: Please attach your complete airline information, including the arrival and departure info. If you are not flying or taking a train you still need to fill out the travel form and let us know how you are arriving. If you are commuting, there is a space on the form to indicate you are a commuting student.

7. Can I request a roommate?

Yes provided the request is made early (with your application) and both students agree to be housed together.  You can room with people from the other Summit programs in Boston as well (Lyceum, NDF Session II, Interprod).  All roommate requests made after May 1st will not be guaranteed. We will do our best to make those accommodations, but we have to submit rooming lists to our university hosts several weeks in advance and it might not be possible to make changes as we get closer to the start of each institute.

8. What happens if a student becomes ill at the institute?

Summit Debate has a dedicated dorm staff person who handles all medical issues, supported by Summit Debate administrators who have over 20 years of experience in dealing with health related situations that may require medical attention. Parents will immediately be contacted if their child becomes ill. Parents will be in constant communication with our Director of Residential Life.

In some cases, students are simply given the appropriate medical treatment on site and will return to programming. In some cases, students will be taken to a walk-in Urgent Care facility for diagnosis and treatment. In rare cases, students will be taken to an Emergency Care facility for diagnosis and treatment. Unless there is a life threatening injury or situation, parents will always be consulted about the course of treatment.

In the event of a life threatening injury or situation, Campus Safety along with local emergency medical technicians will be the first responders to the situation. Parents will be notified immediately of the situation and the emergency medical technicians will speak with the parent directly. Finally, in the event that a student’s treatment plan or illness prevent him or her from continuing with the programming, the student will be released to the care of a parent or guardian. There are no refunds for students that miss classes or need to withdraw from the program.

9. Is there a curfew?

EXL is very intensive and demanding of its participants. Students will be in classes and working in their events 12 hours each day. To make sure that students are well rested and that other residents in the program can get a full night’s sleep all Summit Debate institutes have curfews. There are times when students have to be in their rooms as well as “lights out”. The standard curfew has students in their suites by 11:30 pm and “lights out” at Midnight.

10. Do I need a coach’s recommendation?

While they are not required, a coach’s recommendations can be helpful when applying to EXL.  We’re interested in knowing your strengths as a speaker, but also what you need most to work on and what you’d like to get out of your experience; after all, if you were a perfect speaker, you wouldn’t come to camp.  The recommendation doesn’t need to be a head coach; whoever works with you the most or knows you best should write it.  If you elect to submit a recommendation, the coach’s recommendation can be sent via email or regular mail at anytime in the application process. If you are applying for financial assistance, a coach’s recommendation for admission to our programs is required and must be on file in our office by March 1, 2009.

11. Is there financial assistance?

In addition to the scholarships that Summit Debate gives out to successful underclassmen at various tournaments throughout the year, we also do offer financial assistance on a need basis. Please send us a letter and as much documentation as you can provide to demonstrate financial need for the committee’s consideration. All requests and documentation must be mailed to us by March 1, 2009! In addition, make sure that you have a coach’s recommendation on file with Summit Debate by this date. All awards will be given out by March 3, 2009! After that date, some assistance may be available on a very limited basis.