FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BOSTON SESSION

How are transportation requests made?

Transportation from Boston Logan International Airport to the UMass Boston Campus (July 16th Arrival Day) and from UMass Boston Campus to Boston Logan International Airport (July 30th Departure Day):

There are three options:

1) Summit Debate Shuttle Transportation for students that are arriving by airplane into Boston Logan Airport ($100 round trip and $50 one way):

Families that wish to purchase a shuttle transfer through Summit Debate for $100 round trip and $50 one way will receive the following: A staff member will meet the student when they arrive in the baggage claim area and will either take them to the private shuttle (van/bus). This service is ONLY provided on arrival day on July 16th from 8am until 5pm. On departure day our first shuttle will leave the dorm at 4:30am and our last will leave at noon. If you are electing to use our shuttle transfer, please book flights accordingly. For departure day, students will be responsible for checking in at ticketing and for managing their own luggage when they arrive at Boston Logan International Airport. Summit Debate does not provide or assist with UNACCOMPANIED MINORS Requests. We strongly recommend that you check with your preferred airline on their policies and that a parent or guardian travels with minor children. TO REQUEST A SHUTTLE, PLEASE CONTACT US DIRECTLY at info@summitdebate.com no later than July 1, 2022. This is a non-refundable service, should you change your plans or miss our shuttle at the designated times.

2) Drive to Campus
Families can arrive on campus via a private car, taxi, or car service (Uber/Lyft). There will be limited parking for drop-off/pick-up next to the dorms on arrival and departure days.

3) Train/Bus Service
Families can arrive at Boston South Station via Bus or Train. From there they can take the RedLine train outbound to the JFK/UMASS Boston subway stop. There is a shuttle to UMass Boston that departs about every 30 minutes and will bring students to campus. Students would then need to walk to the dorm from the campus bus stop (about a five-minute walk). The shuttle will have limited hours on the weekends, so please do not count on this service outside of the hours of 8am and 6pm. Summit Debate will not have a shuttle that will run from the Bus/Train or Subway stop on arrival or departure days.

Note for Commuting Students: For commuting students there is limited paid parking around campus, which you would be responsible for finding on your own, if you chose to drive daily to camp.

CAN I LEAVE A DAY LATE? No. Summit Debate cannot accommodate requests for late departures. We need to be out of the dorms by 12:00 p.m. on departure day without exception.

What to Pack?

Casual clothing with one tournament outfit for showcase rounds, toiletries, linens, materials for debate/speech camp that you need, extension cord to plug in electronics, chargers for electronics, and any other items that you feel you may need. A final suggested packing list will be provided as we get closer to camp:

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. During the camp call us at (954)-593-2974 and our contact phones will be answered 24 hours, seven days a week during all sessions.

During normal office days, our phone will be answered directly by the voice mail. Please leave a voice mail  and someone will return your call within 48 hours of the message. 

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

The following are the forms that are required for ALL Summit Debate institutes:

• Health Form: Along with the health form we require a copy of your insurance card, if you do not have insurance, you must send a notarized letter naming the parent or guardian who will be responsible for all medical expenses.

• 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 students.

Can I request a roommate? 

Yes, provided the request is made early (with your application) and both students agree to be housed together. Requests are made on the travel forms. All roommate requests made after June 17, 2022 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.

Can I request an instructor?

Yes, requests can be made. However, we cannot guarantee that a specific instructor is the student’s lab leader.  Given the structure of NDF, students are able to work with every instructor at various points throughout the institute.  Lab placements are the final decision of the NDF Director.  For more questions on placement, please e-mail Steve Schappaugh (steve@summitdebate.com)

What happens if a student becomes ill at the institute? 

During the entirety of the institute, Summit Debate has a dedicated dorm staff person who handles all medical issues, along with 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 onsite 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 in 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 respondents 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.

Is there a curfew?

The programs at Summit Debate can 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.

Is THERE Security?

Students will be staying in a secured dorm and will not be allowed to have visitors. Parents are permitted to help move students into the dorms on arrival day, but then they will not be permitted to go into the secured residential area of the dorms. Students will not be allowed to have visitors at camp and due to Covid restrictions, students will not be allowed to be visitors for any reason in a dorm room other than the one they are assigned to.

Do I need a coach’s recommendation?

While they are not required, the coach’s recommendations can be helpful when applying to the programs. If you elect to submit a recommendation, the coach’s recommendation can be sent via email or regular mail at any time 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.