Hi Grinity,
Thanks for your info. My daughter likes the idea of doing debate, she "out-logic" me since the tender age of 3, she loves to do research and talk about issues and things. She can definitely improve on her speaking skills though (the "umms", "likes") and while she has no problems performing violin in front of people, she does not like to speak in front of people much, unless it is about a topic she is very comfortable (like science). So...I though basic public speaking experience would also benefit her, before real debate experience. The High School around here has a pretty robust debate team, and I believe the Middle School where she will be attending is trying to start up a debate team. I just thought it would benefit her to get comfortable speaking more formally in front of people when she is younger, than when she becomes more self-concious as a teenager.... A week or two of summer may be great. Have you or anyone else heard of Middle School Debate?
Volunteering as a timekeeper or tabulator sounds like a great way to experience it, too.
