Highest Speak

Comedy Camp! Stand-Up & Stand Out! (Rising Grades 5-8) Get ready to write, perform, and bring the laughs in this fun and interactive comedy camp for rising 5th-8th graders! Stand-up comedy is one of the most challenging—but also most FUN—forms of public speaking, and this camp will help young comedians build the skills they need to craft clever (and age appropriate) jokes, develop their own comedic style, deliver punchlines, and stand-up on the comedic stage with confidence! Over 10 hours of hands-on learning, campers will: 🎤 Discover the art of writing humor – from wordplay to storytelling to perfecting comedic timing. 😂 Create their own jokes & stand-up routines – developing material that fits their unique style and personality. 👀 Receive peer and instructor feedback – refining their work through fun, supportive critique. 🎭 Perform their original stand-up sets – putting their skills to the test in a final comedy showcase! Daily Schedule (1:00 – 4:30 PM): 1:00 – 1:45 PM – Lunch & Quiet Activity (Drop-off for PM students) 1:45 – 2:00 PM – Comedy Warm-Up & Icebreakers 2:00 – 4:00 PM – Writing, Practice, & Feedback (Joke-building, storytelling, timing) 4:00 – 4:30 PM – Wind Down & Parent Pick-Up Whether they dream of being the next great stand-up comic or just want to build confidence and have fun, this camp is the perfect place to laugh, learn, and let loose on stage! 😆🎤

Summer Camp Intro to Model UN (Rising Grades 6-8 ONLY) ! Based on popular demand, we are THRILLED to introduce our NEWEST summer camp evening class! We have developed a 12-class hour, in-person evening camp that simplifies the principles of debate for our newest junior diplomats and also makes it as FUN as possible! In our classes, we will cover: Public Speaking Research Diplomacy Debate Parliamentary Procedures All students will participate in various games/activities to allow them to understand and develop their diplomacy skills. As usual, ALL classes (with more than 8 students) are taught by two instructors (public speaking professionals who are also comedians/performers) to ensure that all students receive plenty of individualized attention and feedback. Further, for all exercises, our limited size classes are broken in half to make sure that each student is improving in a smaller group setting. Short take-home assignments may be given. Students are expected to complete them in order to gain the most from this class! Day 1 Introduction to Model UN and Research Day 2 Understanding Debate and Committees Day 3 Negotiation Skills Day 4 Resolution Writing and Voting Day 5 Voting and Practice Simulation Day 6 Full Simulation (Parents are invited!) Start your Fall ready with new knowledge and experience that no other event teaches. By participating in Model United Nations, students learn: What are the biggest challenges facing the world today How to be more self-confident, especially with public speaking How to interact with other people who come from different backgrounds and perspectives How to work as a team to achieve shared goals How to take action to solve problems, on a local, national, and global scale ** This is very limited size group led by Model UN and Debate expert and PhD Candidate, Aaron Trujillo. He has coached multiple Model UN sessions as well as debate winners internationally!

"Write & Rock! Creative Writing Coolness!" - Summer Camp at Highest Speak (Rising Grades 5-8) This summer, Write and Rock is the perfect camp for rising 5th to 8th graders who love to write and want to build their confidence in speaking! Over 5 exciting days, you’ll explore your creativity, learn to craft amazing characters, develop incredible story settings, and practice the art of creative writing. Plus, you’ll have the chance to present your work, practice public speaking, and get feedback to help you improve. Whether you're looking to become a better writer for school or just want to unleash your imagination in a fun, supportive space, this camp is for you! Camp Schedule: 1:00-1:45 PM – Lunch Break/Quiet Activity Take some time to eat, relax with a quiet activity like reading, drawing, or "quiet" socialization with friends before we dive into the afternoon session. Afternoon only students can either choose to bring lunch to camp or arrive by 1:45pm after lunch time is done. Daily Schedule 1:45-2:00 PM – Circle Up We’ll gather in a circle to get to know each other, talk about our writing goals, and get ready for the fun lessons ahead. You’ll have a chance to share your ideas and get inspired by others! 2:00-4:00 PM – Class Time Each day will be packed with a creative writing lesson, a hands-on activity to apply what you’ve learned, and an opportunity to present your work. You’ll receive valuable feedback on both your writing and public speaking skills. 4:00-4:30pm - Wind Down and Parent Pick-Up Students can wind down with a quiet game or activity and wait for parent pick-up. Constructive Feedback Each day, you’ll receive helpful feedback from your instructors and classmates. This feedback will guide you in refining your writing and boosting your public speaking skills. By the end of the camp, you’ll be ready to write and present with more confidence, whether it’s for school projects, creative writing contests, or just for fun!

**MUST BE RISING GRADES 5-8! No Exceptions! Ultimate Public Speaking Summer Program for Rising 5th-8th Graders in Northern VA/DMV Area! Get ready for an EPIC summer at our brand-new CENTER in Reston, VA! Join us for the Ultimate Public Speaking Summer Program, where your child will boost their confidence, learn key speaking skills, and have a ton of fun in the process! Public speaking is essential for success in school, making new friends, and even preparing for future careers. For middle schoolers, mastering public speaking now is the perfect way to gain the confidence needed for class presentations, group discussions, and social situations. In this 5-day, 3-hour per day program, we’ll teach your child how to speak confidently and effectively in any situation. Here’s what we’ll cover: Performing like a pro in any public speaking situation! How to conquer nerves and speak confidently in front of others! The secrets to organizing a powerful and effective speech! The basics of Persuasive Speech, Storytelling, and Impromptu Speaking! A beginner’s intro to Debate—think fast, speak well! Each day is packed with fun, interactive activities and lots of opportunities for practice! Here’s how the day will break down: Part I (1-1.5 hours): Icebreaker activities to help everyone feel comfortable A lesson packed with practical tips for the day Practice through games and group activities that make learning fun! BREAK (15 minutes): Time to grab a snack and drink! Part II: Individualized Feedback: Your child will have a chance to practice and get specific feedback on their performance! Multiple Practice Opportunities: Students will practice several times in smaller groups to really make sure they understand and can apply the feedback they’ve received. More interactive games and activities to help reinforce the lesson Wrap-up to reflect on the day and discuss key takeaways for improvement Bonus: There will ALWAYS be two instructors leading the program, including Sumedha Bahri, the founder of Highest Speak (she’s a Patent Attorney, Adjunct Professor, Keynote Speaker, and Stand-Up Comic!), plus one of our other super fun and talented instructors! Why is this so important for middle schoolers? Middle school is a time when students are starting to speak up more in class, participate in group projects, and face more challenging academic situations. Public speaking skills will help your child gain the confidence they need to express themselves clearly, think critically, and speak up in any situation—whether for a class project, school debate, or even in social situations. Plus, they’ll learn how to think on their feet and craft arguments that are persuasive—skills that will be useful throughout their school years and beyond! This program WILL sell out FAST, so make sure to reserve your spot TODAY! Your kids will not only learn an important life skill, but they’ll also have an absolute blast doing it! No experience necessary! Whether it’s your child’s first time or they’ve been with us before, they’ll have a fresh and exciting experience with new exercises and games! Don’t miss out—this is the summer program they’ll never forget!

"The Great Debate!" 1-Week Debate Camp for Rising 5th-8th Graders! We are beyond excited to launch our 5-day Debate Camp, led by Aaron Trujillo, PhD Candidate at GMU and an Expert Debate Coach! With years of experience coaching students from elementary school to the Master's level, Aaron has helped multiple teams win championships—and now he’s bringing his expertise to Highest Speak to help your child develop confidence, critical thinking, and speaking skills! ✨ No prior debate experience required! Whether your child is brand new to debate and looking to get a taste of it or an experienced debater looking to sharpen their skills, this camp is for everyone. It’s the perfect opportunity to dive into debate and have fun, learn new skills, and build confidence in a high-energy environment. What makes this camp so special? This 1-week camp is filled with hands-on lessons, fun activities, and friendly competition, ensuring your child develops as a confident, articulate speaker. It’s a great starting point for beginners and perfect practice for experienced debaters. Here’s what we’ll cover each day: Day 1: What is Debate? Introduction to debate and its importance Exploring different debate styles Fun activities to build a strong foundation Day 2: Structuring a Strong Argument How to build a solid argument step-by-step Crafting claims, evidence, and reasoning Group activities to practice structuring arguments Day 3: Crafting a Compelling Speech Tips and tricks for writing a persuasive speech Learning how to capture attention and hold an audience’s interest Practice delivering speeches with confidence Day 4: Mastering Rebuttals and Questions Responding to others’ arguments with strong rebuttals Practicing asking and answering questions like a pro Group debates with real-time feedback Day 5: Final Practice & Mini Debate Tournament Putting everything into action with a mini debate tournament Individualized feedback to help each student improve Fun and friendly competition to showcase what they’ve learned Why Debate is Important for Middle Schoolers: Debate builds confidence, teaches critical thinking, and helps your child become a persuasive speaker—skills they’ll use in school, social settings, and beyond! Plus, learning how to argue respectfully and thoughtfully is an important life skill. This camp is perfect for both beginners who want to give debate a try and experienced debaters looking to practice in a supportive, energetic environment. Small Class Sizes = BIG Impact! To ensure personalized coaching and feedback, class sizes are limited. Your child will receive individual attention from Aaron and other coaches to help them improve every day. Fun & High-Energy Atmosphere: Led by Aaron Trujillo, PhD Candidate at GMU and an Expert Debate Coach, our camp is all about having fun while learning! With his expertise and infectious energy, your child will feel excited and motivated every day. Important Dates: 🗓️ 5 days, 3 hours each day 📍 Location: Reston, VA Spots are filling up FAST—don’t miss this chance to help your child become a confident, skilled debater in a fun, supportive environment! Secure their spot today!

Ultimate 3-Week AM Public Speaking & Creativity Bundle (Rising 5th-8th Graders) Boost confidence, creativity, and communication skills in a fun, supportive environment! This engaging bundle helps students express themselves, think on their feet, and strengthen their public speaking abilities—while having an absolute blast! Plenty of individualized feedback ensures every student improves in a way that works best for them. Daily AM Schedule: 9:30 – 10:00 AM – Early Drop-Off (Optional, extra fee applies) 10:00 – 11:30 AM – Morning Session Part 1 11:30 – 11:50 AM – Snack & Socialization Activity 11:50 – 1:00 PM – Practice, Activity, & Individualized Feedback Week 1 (July 21-25): Public Speaking & Writing Bootcamp! - Learn different forms of public speaking: ✔ Impromptu Speaking – Thinking quickly and structuring responses on the spot. ✔ Persuasive Speaking – Convincing an audience with strong, well-structured arguments. ✔ Storytelling & Narrative Speaking – Using vivid language and structure to engage listeners. - Writing & Structuring Different Types of Speeches – Craft compelling narratives, persuasive arguments, and well-organized presentations. - Build confidence in delivery, voice modulation, and stage presence through hands-on practice. - Plenty of individualized feedback to refine writing and speaking skills. Week 2 (July 28-August 1): The Great Debate – Fundamentals of Debate - Learn the foundations of argumentation, logical reasoning, and public speaking in debate. - Explore different debate formats, judging criteria, and argument structures. - Gain hands-on experience through mock debates on engaging topics. - Open to both beginners and experienced debaters looking to sharpen their skills. - Led by Aaron Trujillo, PhD Candidate at GMU and Expert Debate Coach. Plenty of individualized feedback to improve clarity, structure, and strategic thinking. Week 3 (July 28-August 1): STEAM Tank – Public Speaking & Entrepreneurship - Inspired by Shark Tank, campers create, brand, and present their own business or product idea. - Develop public speaking and persuasive communication skills to confidently showcase ideas. - Learn branding, storytelling, and the basics of entrepreneurship in a fun, creative setting. - No competition—just an exciting showcase where students present to real professionals and get positive feedback! - One-on-one coaching helps each student refine their pitch and delivery. Why Choose the AM Session Bundle? ✔️ Three weeks of engaging, hands-on learning in public speaking, creativity, and persuasion. ✔️ Plenty of individualized feedback to help each child improve in their own way. ✔️ Taught by expert instructors, including Sumedha Bahri – Patent Attorney, Professor, Speaker & Stand-Up Comic! ✔️ Small class sizes for tons of participation and personal attention. ✔️ Super fun programs designed to make public speaking exciting, creative, and confidence-boosting! 🔥 Limited Spots Available – Secure Your Child’s Place Today! 🔥

🎙️ Join Our Summer Debate Accelerator! 📢 Sharpen Your Skills. Start the Fall school year with confidence. Is your middle-schooler curious about competitive debate and loves the idea of trying it in a less stressful, summer environment that still offers the opportunity to compete? Highest Speak is thrilled to offer a Virtual two-week Public Forum debate camp starting on Monday, July 7! Whether you are interested in seeing what debate is like or want to practice your skills over this summer, this evening camp will offer a crash course in the ins and outs of debate. Our Debate Tournament Prep Class is a focused, high-energy program designed for middle school debaters and aspiring debaters. Whether you are interested in trying debate or want to go to your first debate competition in the Fall, this camp has something for everyone. 📅 Program Dates: July 7-July 18, Monday to Friday, 6-8 pm Online ** MUST BE RISING GRADES 6-8 TO PARTICIPATE! Through hands-on training students will learn debate, argument strategies, and effective public speaking, all while practicing and being coached by experienced Debate coaches/experts with over ten years of experience. Oh, and we will have a BLAST! :) What You’ll Gain: 🧠 Argument Techniques 📚 Case Writing & Research Strategies 🏅 Tournament Simulation & Practice Rounds Amp up your debate skills from the comfort of your home! (Optional Tournament in August. Info available during the program.)

Summer Camp Intro to Model UN (Rising Grades 9-12 ONLY) ! Based on popular demand, we are THRILLED to introduce our NEWEST summer camp evening class for High Schoolers! We have developed a 12-class hour, in-person evening camp that simplifies the principles of debate for newer high school diplomats and also makes it as FUN as possible! In our classes, we will cover: Public Speaking Research Diplomacy Debate Parliamentary Procedures All students will participate in various games/activities to allow them to understand and develop their diplomacy skills. As usual, ALL classes (with more than 8 students) are taught by two instructors to ensure that all students receive plenty of individualized attention and feedback. Short take-home assignments may be given. Students are expected to complete them in order to gain the most from this class! Day 1 Introduction to Model UN and Research Day 2 Understanding Debate and Committees Day 3 Negotiation Skills Day 4 Resolution Writing and Voting Day 5 Voting and Practice Simulation Day 6 Full Simulation (Parents are invited!) Start your Fall ready with new knowledge and experience that no other event teaches. By participating in Model United Nations, students learn: What are the biggest challenges facing the world today How to be more self-confident, especially with public speaking How to interact with other people who come from different backgrounds and perspectives How to work as a team to achieve shared goals How to take action to solve problems, on a local, national, and global scale ** This is very limited size group led by Model UN and Debate expert and PhD Candidate, Aaron Trujillo. He has coached multiple Model UN sessions as well as debate winners internationally!

Impromptu Speaking & College Interview Boot Camp For High School Students Saturday & Sunday | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Looking to nail that college interview, build unshakable confidence, and speak like a pro—all while having a blast? This high-energy weekend boot camp is designed for high school students who want to think on their feet, speak with clarity, and shine in any situation—whether it’s an interview, a class discussion, or just day-to-day conversations. Through interactive games, group challenges, and fun, fast-paced activities, students will learn how to craft strong, spontaneous responses and speak with presence, purpose, and personality. Saturday: Speak Up, Think Fast We’ll kick things off with: Fun games and warm-ups to break the ice and get comfortable Strategies to overcome speech anxiety and find your voice Quick-thinking structures for answering any kind of question—academic, social, or professional Tips to make any impromptu speech engaging and impactful Lots of chances to practice in a supportive, lively environment Sunday: Spotlight on You Now we bring it all together and apply those skills where they matter most: College interviews, job interviews, and academic Q&A prep How to talk about your accomplishments and goals authentically and confidently Real-time practice with feedback to help you sharpen your answers Focus on content, structure, and delivery—with your unique personality front and center This boot camp is perfect for students who want to build real-world speaking skills while having tons of fun. Whether you're prepping for an interview or just want to walk into any room with more confidence, you’ll leave feeling empowered and ready for anything. Confidence. Clarity. Charisma. And a whole lot of fun. Let’s unlock it all—one impromptu moment at a time!