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DEBATE CAMP FOUNDATION
Our commitment to ensuring Debate Camp remains available to all ...
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION NOW OPEN!
Application Process
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Applicants should have all required materials in an electronic format (PDF, DOCX) and be prepared to upload them at the time of application submission. ​Required forms: Unofficial academic transcript and teacher recommendation letter. Document size should not exceed 10 MB
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Eligibility Criteria
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Demonstrated Financial Need: Applicants must demonstrate financial need, showing that the costs associated with attending Debate Camp would pose a significant financial burden.
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Commitment to Debate and Public Speaking: Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in developing their skills in debate, public speaking, and global awareness. This can be shown through previous participation in related activities, personal statements, or recommendations from teachers or community leaders.
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Age and Education Level: The scholarship is open to students between the ages of 11 and 14.
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Residency: Applicants must be residents of Canada/US and able to attend a Debate Camp location within the country.
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References: Applicants are required to submit at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher, community leader, or mentor who can speak to the applicant’s character, academic potential, and interest in debate and public speaking. The letter should be uploaded to this Google application form.
Note: Applications without the recommendation form and/or the transcript will not be considered, nor will any application submitted via any other means other than the official Google Application Form. Late applications will not be accepted. Applicants who are younger than 11 or older than 14, or who are not residents of either Canada/US and able to attend a Debate Camp location within the country will not be considered.
Successful applicants will be notified on a rolling basis starting Friday, May 15, 2026 of their acceptance into the program - inclusive of subsidy level. For questions or concerns, please contact foundation@debatecamp.com.​​​​​​​​​​
Note: Applications for the 2026 summer camp season are due by 11:59pm local time in Halifax, NS, Canada on Friday, May 8th, 2026.
Debate Camp aims to bring young people together for meaningful intellectual discourse. We believe that debating, public speaking, knowing about the wider world – are important skills for this generation and should extend to all youth regardless of tuition capacity.
FOUNDATION OVERVIEW
As a marker of our 20th year in operation, Debate Camp established The Debate Camp Foundation for its non-profit work. The Debate Camp Foundation supports camper attendance to ensure the growth and development of highly diverse camper population, inclusive of socio-economic variance, with particular focus on under-represented communities in the regions in which Debate Camp operates.
Debate Camp aimes to serve a diverse range of campers, regardless of ability meet full tuition requirements. We wish to ensure all kids can participate and benefit from the skills of public speaking, debate and the mind-broadening opportunities that come with meaningful engagement with campers from a range of backgrounds.
Founded in August 2022 - The Debate Camp Foundation has undertaken to develop program enhancements and an informed structure for designing a sustainable funding strategy. Our Foundation Trustees have met regularly and bring a sound mix of non-profit, legal, educational and philosophic leadership to the initiative.
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FOUNDATION TRUSTEES
Calvin Rosemond, BA, JD Law, - Board Chair: Cal has a long association with Debate Camp, as a camper in some of our first seasons (2004 - 2007) and Program Staff (2011 - 2013). His early impact on the life of camp has shaped our philosophy and raison d'etre ever since. A graduate of McGill University and The University of Windsor, Cal currently practices law in Toronto, ON.
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Kate Vavpetic: AB, MA, M Ed, - Board Vice Chair: Kate is a longstanding member of the Debate Camp community and is a current parent of two regular campers. A graduate of Harvard Graduate School of Education, Kate has held teaching positions at Hotchkiss (Lakeville, CT) as well as serving as Head of Senior School at Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh, PA) and most recently as Head of School / CEO at GEMS United School in Dubai.
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Lewis Fainer, BA, JD Law - Board Member: Lewis pioneered the Program Coordinator role at Debate Camp (2011 - 2015) to an extent that many of the games and learning activities he created are still in use in recent summers. A graduate of McGill University and the University of Toronto, Lewis currently practices law in Toronto ON and New York, NY.
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Mars He: BA, MA, - Board Member: Mars is also a longstanding member of the Debate Camp community, having been our first ever Intern, followed by Program Staff (2012 - 2014) and Program Coordinator (2015 - 18) at some of our first camps in Hartford, CT and Boston, MA. A graduate of Harvard Graduate School, Mars currently lives and works in Los Angeles, CA.
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Kelsey Schott, BA, MA, JD - Board Member: Kelsey Schott has been with Debate Camp since the Spring of 2020, working as the U.S. Director, facilitating U.S. staff hiring, team training, serving as the camp director for U.S. locations, and completing the ACA Accreditation process and state licensing requirements. Currently, she works as an attorney in Des Moines, IA. Kelsey assisted with opening the U.S. Resource Hub in Brunswick, ME in 2022.
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FOUNDATION PRINCIPAL
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Nick Szymanis, BA, B Ed, MA - Principal: Nick and his wife Oona, founded Debate Camp in 2002. A graduate of Queen's University and the University of Toronto, Nick is a career educator, having held teaching and administrative positions at Crofon House (Vancouver, BC) Havergal (Toronto, ON) as well as serving as Director of Academics at Sterling Hall (Toronto, ON). Nick and his family live and work in Halifax, NS.
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FOUNDATION OFFICER
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Daiyam Basharat, BA - Grant Officer: Daiyam Basharat holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies and Sustainability Studies from Dalhousie University. An experienced debater, he served as President of the Dalhousie and King’s Debate Society (SODALES) from 2021–2022 and as Vice-President East of the Canadian University Society of Intercollegiate Debate (CUSID) from 2022–2023. At Debate Camp, he takes on multiple roles, including serving as Compliance Manager and camp director, overseeing the Debate Camp Foundation, and leading efforts to expand Debate Camp internationally through partnerships with schools and organizations.
