Training Minds Ministry Events

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What's the difference between a Camp and the Conference?

Our Colorado Conference program is not technically a "camp" experience. Instead, Colorado is our kick-off to the speech and debate season resembles more of a homeschool conference than a summer camp. Breakfast (we will be providing several of the meals during the day) and lodging will be the responsibility of each registrant, and Training Minds Ministry will be focused on packing the Conference with the best teaching seminars and workshops possible. The Conference will conclude with a round-robin debate tournament. Advantages of attending the Colorado Conference include...

  • Super-affordable price
  • Food included in your program (most meals according to schedule)
  • Speech Programs (Interps, Platforms, Limited-Preparation events)
  • Team-Policy and Lincoln-Douglas Debate Sessions
  • Optional: Entire week-long team-policy research camp the week before (experienced debaters only)
  • Featured keynote speakers like Lee Strobel
  • Scrimmage concluding the week
  • Monument Publishing Resources (e.g. Blue & Red Books) all debuting at the Colorado Conference

Training Minds Ministry Camps have their unique advantages, too, particularly the one-on-one coaching students receive. Camps include lodging, which is the reason for the more expensive price, and supervision is provided for all students. The coaches at Training Minds Ministry Camps have a unique method of coaching (not just observing) a round, where a 2.5 hour block is given for an entire round, where novices especially are given careful attention and help through their rounds (two rounds for LD, one for TP). Advantages of TMM camps:

  • One-on-one attention from coaching staff
  • Lodging included
  • Supervision provided for all campers
  • Parent-coaches enjoy a reduced rate
  • Coached debate rounds for every camper
  • Bible camp atmosphere

What resources are required for TMM Events?

Debate Camp or Conference registrants are not required to purchase any manuals with their tuition (this is different from previous years). We do, however, strongly encourage registrants to purchase the color-appropriate packages (Blue, Red, Gold, etc.) in advance of camp or at the conference itself. Note: most of these books debut at the Colorado Conference.

Campers should work in their clubs to attain their books, or purchase their copies when they arrive at Camp. Visit www.monumentpublishing.biz for ordering information.

Am I able to choose which debate format (Team-Policy or Lincoln-Douglas) after the resolutions are released?

Debate resolutions are released at Nationals in June 2010. However, Colorado Conference or any of our Camps may fill up before this date. We strongly recommend students sign up for the format they will most likely participate in. If, after the resolution is released, the student would like to switch from one format to another, we will allow this without penalty to registration fees. Any changes to the student format must be made before July 1, 2010.

My student is a 1st year student...are your events for him/her?

Yes! Our Conference and Camps Camp typically consists of 50% first-year students. We have two tracks: "Foundational" for novice students and "Advanced" for those with years of experience. The schedule for practice debates are set up to place experienced debaters in front, and the 1st year debaters later in the schedule.

My student went to camp last year...should he/she attend again?

Yes! We have incorporated advanced and novice tracks within the camp workshops that will give students who are more advanced the "meat" they need to sharpen their debate skills. In Colorado at our Conference, this advanced track have numerous options available for alumni. Check out the individual schedules to see the specifics. Besides, all attendees get training specific to the year's resolutions.

What is the refund policy for TMM Events?

$100 of every attendee registration is non-refundable. No refunds will be allowed after early-bird registration is closed (see individual event pages). Please understand that the ministry secures coaching staff and facility needs based on the number of registrations we receive, which is why cancellations cannot be refunded.

Am I able to choose which workshops (Novice or Advanced) to attend?

Both Conference and Camps have "Foundational" tracks and "Advanced" tracks. At the Conference, first-year students are required to attend the Foundational track to get the basics of their event, and Advanced students will have a broader selection of session topics to choose from. Camp is a little different where the program allows for students to pick-and-choose between tracks. Advanced students may choose to "brush up" in a novice track, and this flexibility is allowed.

How are sleeping arrangements made?

Colorado Conference: Sleeping arrangements are not the responsibility of Training Minds Ministry. You will be asked if you would like to be included in host-housing, but the Conference is not a "camp."

For our Camps, sleeping arrangements vary from camp to camp according to the facility we are occupying. See individual camp pages for more details on sleeping arrangements.

At all our camps, we try our best to keep families and debate partners together when arranging the sleeping quarters. Girls and boys will have entirely separate rooms unless a family takes up an entire room. If there are any conflicts or special arrangements, make note of these things in your registration and we will do what we can to make necessary adjustments.

I plan rent a separate facility or commute to this event. Am I able to get a deduction in my cost?

Colorado Conference = no housing. The Conference is ran exactly as such: a conference. Though there is a host-housing service, housing is the responsibility of the conference attendee.

Camps = housing provided. As for Camps, housing is provided. However, deductions for commuters are not allowed. In order to keep our prices down ahead of inflation (which makes our camp the most affordable in the nation), we reserved most of our lodging in advance. Because of this, every registration has a spot reserved and paid for. Sorry, we are not able to give rebates to commuters.

Dorms are available for "non-participating" family members, so consider dorm housing through the camp. Campers are allowed to bow out of their room in order to stay with family near by, but this will not result in a deduction of camp fees. The same applies for all commuters.

Should I take a shuttle service to Camp, or should I rent a vehicle?

AirplaneEach Debate Camp has a host family who is coordinating shuttle service to and from the nearest international airport. The shuttle service is available to campers who fly in on the specific dates and hours indicated on the camp's individual page. It is important when selecting flights to choose flights within the provided times, otherwise the shuttle service will not be available. Training Minds Ministry will pass your request for shuttle service (prompted in the registration process) to the host family who, in turn, will make final arrangement with you. The charge for this service is $85 per person.

RentalSome have asked whether a rental makes more sense than the shuttle service. This is entirely up to you, but one factor that may play into your decision is the camp facility. All our camps are beautiful tourist areas, so if you were to rent a vehicle, you will enjoy using some of your free time to drive. If you were to rent a vehicle for the duration of the camp, you may find opportunity to do some tourist sites. Keep in mind that this freedom only applies to adult coaches and their families, not to minors who, of course, are under the care of the camp and its directors.

You will be asked to add an $85 fee per person for shuttling when you register for camp. You then can secure your flight tickets into the nearest international airport (listed on the individual camp pages). You will be required to reserve tickets within a specific timeframe. If you cannot secure flights within these timeframes, contact us before securing your flight. Once you have your itinerary, forward it to Maggie Carabelos, event coordinator for all our Camps, at events@trainingminds.org. You will be contacted by Maggie or the Camp Host to personally arrange pick-up/drop-off details.

Am I able to bring additional family members that aren't participating?

Our Conference and Camps are particularly nice for family vacations, so we do allow non-participating attendees to register. Families will be charged for additional family members. During registration, you will be required to register "Nonparticipating Adults" and "Nonparticipating Children." These fees are reduced down to rooms and meals only. This option does not apply to Colorado Conference, as rooms are not included in that price and meals are provided only for registrants.

For Camps, rooms and meals are not able to be separated out of the package deal offered to families. If families would like to make other arrangements outside the Camp Package with the facility, they are welcome to do so.

Also note that "non-participating" means students not participating. These students (typically younger siblings of competitors) and parents (those who are not coaching) are not allowed in the sessions other than those open to the public.

Are your questions still not answered? Email Chris Jeub with more questions.