There are numerous advantages to choosing the WFI
First, value. The WFI offers one of the best faculty-to-student ratios and high quality staff at one of the lowest tuition rates in the country. Students always receive one-on-one attention and instruction, something bigger camps simply cannot offer. Unlike many other camps, the director Matt Liu does not take a salary for working with the camp. The camp is also not used to fund the UW team, costs go only to hiring a truly excellent staff.
Second, a diverse curriculum. The WFI focuses on students of all debate backgrounds and abilities. We emphasize how to succeed at the state, regional and national level. Whatever your debate background or preferences, you can find a great fit at WFI. Please read all about our excellent staff below.
Third, our track record. The WFI has a proven reputation for producing students who win. Camp alumni have won multiple state championships, placed in the top 10 at the NSDA’s National Championship tournament and qualified to the Tournament of Champions. WFI alumni have won the policy divisions of: the Evanston tournament, the T-Bird Classic (Casper), the Bison Stampede, the UW tournament, the Holiday Classic, the UW Round Robin, the Bolt Blast, Star Valley, the Mustang Classic, Worlando Beach, and the State Championship. Recent WFI alumni were in the doubles of Harvard, the quarters of Stanford, the finals of ASU, and the doubles of Cal Berkeley. Camp alumni have also excelled in college debate, reaching the deep elimination rounds of the CEDA and NDT championship tournaments.
After the last WFI, 100% of students rated faculty effectiveness an A and faculty knowledge an A or B. 100% of students also stated they would recommend the WFI to a friend.
Second, a diverse curriculum. The WFI focuses on students of all debate backgrounds and abilities. We emphasize how to succeed at the state, regional and national level. Whatever your debate background or preferences, you can find a great fit at WFI. Please read all about our excellent staff below.
Third, our track record. The WFI has a proven reputation for producing students who win. Camp alumni have won multiple state championships, placed in the top 10 at the NSDA’s National Championship tournament and qualified to the Tournament of Champions. WFI alumni have won the policy divisions of: the Evanston tournament, the T-Bird Classic (Casper), the Bison Stampede, the UW tournament, the Holiday Classic, the UW Round Robin, the Bolt Blast, Star Valley, the Mustang Classic, Worlando Beach, and the State Championship. Recent WFI alumni were in the doubles of Harvard, the quarters of Stanford, the finals of ASU, and the doubles of Cal Berkeley. Camp alumni have also excelled in college debate, reaching the deep elimination rounds of the CEDA and NDT championship tournaments.
After the last WFI, 100% of students rated faculty effectiveness an A and faculty knowledge an A or B. 100% of students also stated they would recommend the WFI to a friend.
Our Open Book Policy
The Wyoming Forensics Institute operates with an open book policy. We promise the community that we run our camp revenue-neutral, with a focus on serving students and the community rather than funding our college team. Our open book policy is a way of demonstrating the veracity of that promise. You can find a copy of our books here.
Additionally, we will be disclosing the salary of all staff members who opt-in to disclosure. For the past two years, since we began this policy, that includes 100% of our staff. You can find that in the same link above. UW Debate supports a model where camps disclose salary guidelines and the specific salaries offered to each staff member. We believe this transparency helps ensures equal pay.
Additionally, we will be disclosing the salary of all staff members who opt-in to disclosure. For the past two years, since we began this policy, that includes 100% of our staff. You can find that in the same link above. UW Debate supports a model where camps disclose salary guidelines and the specific salaries offered to each staff member. We believe this transparency helps ensures equal pay.
Testimonials
"I learned more than I could ever imagine from the WFI. After attending, I feel extremely ready for next season and am so so so excited to apply all of the things we covered."
~Natalyia Kopack (WFI 2023 - LD)
"The WFI is an incredible camp. I went to the WFI two summers in a row and still learned so much the second time. Not only is it more affordable, but you get an experience here just as educational as the big-name debate camps, if not better. Because the camp is smaller, you get much more one-on-one time with the lab leaders, who are not only highly qualified but care about the growth and wellbeing of each student in attendance. It's a supportive and non-judgmental learning environment, from the lab leaders to the students. I left WFI with great friends and newfound confidence in my debate knowledge. Most of all, I felt ready and excited to take on the season ahead; the lab leaders had helped my partner and me devise various aff and neg arguments tailored to our style and goals. Whether you're a novice debater or aiming for success on the national circuit, the WFI is the right place to be."
~Audrey Yeung, Laramie High School (WFI 2022, 2021 - Policy)
"Not only did I learn a ton with very detailed feedback on how to achieve the debating results I wanted, I made really good friends too. I saw what we were learning in someone else's point of view which was amazing and just gave me a greater understanding of the topic. Everyone I encountered from lab leaders to fellow students, were nice and respectful of things that I cared about like who I am. Overall such a great experience, I'll be talking about it to my speech and debate peers."
~Rebecca Gonzalez, Delta High School (WFI 2022 - Policy)
"The WFI was an awesome experience! As a first time debater, this camp was so helpful for figuring out the general stuff and headache-inducing details. I highly recommend this to both first timers and seasoned debaters!"
~Aaron Worthen, Natrona County High School (WFI 2022 - LD)
"I would highly recommend the WFI for anyone who is looking to learn more about all of the essential building blocks of debate and how to use them strategically during rounds. The camp has great lab leaders who are enthusiastic and very good at explaining complex topics in clear ways. The camp is very well organized and there are many opportunities to practice the skills taught in lectures during rounds. After rounds, the lab leaders and other judges give tons of super helpful feedback. The games played throughout the camp are both fun and educational, and super helpful for honing in certain skills. Overall, the WFI is a great, short option for someone looking to improve their all-around debate skills."
~Amélie Corson, Rowland Hall (WFI 2020 - Policy)
"The camp is an amazing program for anybody looking to get into national circuit debate. The lab leaders are amazing and super knowledgeable about debate as a whole. With the camp only being two weeks its not as intense as other camps yet you learn more. The leaders understand how to let people take breaks. Instead of working for 10 hours a day with 5 more dedicated to research on your own time, the work load is closer to 6 hours a day with at most 3 dedicated to research on your own time, although you can put much more into the research and out of camp prep. You get out what you put into the camp and I would highly recommend this camp for either experienced debaters or beginners."
~Anonymous (WFI 2020 - Policy)
~Natalyia Kopack (WFI 2023 - LD)
"The WFI is an incredible camp. I went to the WFI two summers in a row and still learned so much the second time. Not only is it more affordable, but you get an experience here just as educational as the big-name debate camps, if not better. Because the camp is smaller, you get much more one-on-one time with the lab leaders, who are not only highly qualified but care about the growth and wellbeing of each student in attendance. It's a supportive and non-judgmental learning environment, from the lab leaders to the students. I left WFI with great friends and newfound confidence in my debate knowledge. Most of all, I felt ready and excited to take on the season ahead; the lab leaders had helped my partner and me devise various aff and neg arguments tailored to our style and goals. Whether you're a novice debater or aiming for success on the national circuit, the WFI is the right place to be."
~Audrey Yeung, Laramie High School (WFI 2022, 2021 - Policy)
"Not only did I learn a ton with very detailed feedback on how to achieve the debating results I wanted, I made really good friends too. I saw what we were learning in someone else's point of view which was amazing and just gave me a greater understanding of the topic. Everyone I encountered from lab leaders to fellow students, were nice and respectful of things that I cared about like who I am. Overall such a great experience, I'll be talking about it to my speech and debate peers."
~Rebecca Gonzalez, Delta High School (WFI 2022 - Policy)
"The WFI was an awesome experience! As a first time debater, this camp was so helpful for figuring out the general stuff and headache-inducing details. I highly recommend this to both first timers and seasoned debaters!"
~Aaron Worthen, Natrona County High School (WFI 2022 - LD)
"I would highly recommend the WFI for anyone who is looking to learn more about all of the essential building blocks of debate and how to use them strategically during rounds. The camp has great lab leaders who are enthusiastic and very good at explaining complex topics in clear ways. The camp is very well organized and there are many opportunities to practice the skills taught in lectures during rounds. After rounds, the lab leaders and other judges give tons of super helpful feedback. The games played throughout the camp are both fun and educational, and super helpful for honing in certain skills. Overall, the WFI is a great, short option for someone looking to improve their all-around debate skills."
~Amélie Corson, Rowland Hall (WFI 2020 - Policy)
"The camp is an amazing program for anybody looking to get into national circuit debate. The lab leaders are amazing and super knowledgeable about debate as a whole. With the camp only being two weeks its not as intense as other camps yet you learn more. The leaders understand how to let people take breaks. Instead of working for 10 hours a day with 5 more dedicated to research on your own time, the work load is closer to 6 hours a day with at most 3 dedicated to research on your own time, although you can put much more into the research and out of camp prep. You get out what you put into the camp and I would highly recommend this camp for either experienced debaters or beginners."
~Anonymous (WFI 2020 - Policy)