Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL)

Our debaters don't just show up; they put in the work. Between weekly practices and grueling 11-hour tournament days, a typical BAUDL student commits over 55 hours per season to mastering research, reasoning, and public speaking—all on top of their schoolwork.

It’s time to celebrate that hustle BAUDL-style! 🥳

🗓️ WHEN: Friday, May 15th | Doors open @ 6 PM
📍 WHERE: 9 Altarinda Rd, Orinda, CA
🏆 HIGHLIGHTS: Student awards, dinner, and the announcement of our Summer & Julia Burke Scholarship winners!

RSVP HERE: [https://forms.gle/av62B8RAozgyGSmS8]

Families, friends, and community—let’s fill the room. Swipe to see how we’ve celebrated in years past.

If you’d like to sponsor this dinner to help us celebrate our 16 schools and their talented debaters, more information can be found [https://www.baudl.org/student-award-dinner.html

We are excited to announce the Julia Burke Debate Institute (JBDI), BAUDL’s free summer debate camp.

This year, we are returning to a familiar home at Westlake Middle School for a week of high-energy learning and advocacy. The upcoming debate topic for this year is: 'The United States federal government should establish national health insurance in the United States. ' This resolution challenges students to analyze the complexities of access, affordability, and infrastructure within the American healthcare system. Remarkably, it has been over 30 years since health insurance was last featured as a national debate topic, making this a timely opportunity for students to engage with a modern issue.

Camp Details:
Dates: Monday, June 8 – Friday, June 12
High School Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Middle School Hours: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Westlake Middle School
Friday will be scrimmage debate rounds

Cost: FREE (Breakfast and lunch provided)

All students in grades 6–12 are welcome to attend. Led by BAUDL staff and guest instructors, JBDI offers a week of intensive policy debate training and "fun-filled," fact-based workshops designed to sharpen critical thinking and advocacy skills.

Why Debate Matters:
-The impact of this program goes far beyond the classroom. Research shows that debate participants are 70% more likely to graduate high school than non-debaters (Mezuk, 2009).
-BAUDL has maintained a 100% senior graduation rate for five consecutive years.
-90% of BAUDL debaters transition to higher education, with 60% enrolling in four-year universities and 30% attending junior colleges.
-80% of students report a significant increase in their ability to evaluate arguments and defend their positions effectively after participating (Chikeleze et al., 2018).

Please help us get the word out about this amazing opportunity for our youth.

Sign up for our free debate camp here: https://forms.gle/hHRTyxZATquQhkrf6

More information at www.baudl.org

Summer 2026 Bay Area Urban Debate League: Julia Burke Debate Institute This summer, the Bay Area Urban Debate League will be hosting a free, five-day, in-person summer camp for middle school and high school students. Sign up here to let us know you're coming and to receive updates about the camp. Once the form is completed, no further action is needed. Additional detai...

Recruitment season is officially here, and the BAUDL team is hitting the streets!

We are excited to announce that the Julia Burke Debate Institute (JBDI)—BAUDL’s completely free summer debate camp—kicks off Monday, June 8th, at Westlake Middle School. Help us spread the word about this incredible opportunity and get Bay Area youth to camp.

This year, we are returning to a familiar home at Westlake Middle School for a week of high-energy learning and advocacy. The upcoming debate topic for this year is: 'The United States federal government should establish national health insurance in the United States. ' This resolution challenges students to analyze the complexities of access, affordability, and infrastructure within the American healthcare system. Remarkably, it has been over 30 years since health insurance was last featured as a national debate topic, making this a timely opportunity for students to engage with a modern issue.

Camp Details:
Dates: Monday, June 8 – Friday, June 12
High School Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Middle School Hours: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Westlake Middle School
Friday will be scrimmage debate rounds

Cost: FREE (Breakfast and lunch provided)

All students in grades 6–12 are welcome to attend. Led by BAUDL staff and guest instructors, JBDI offers a week of intensive policy debate training and fun-filled, fact-based workshops designed to sharpen critical thinking and advocacy skills.

Why Debate Matters:
-The impact of this program goes far beyond the classroom. Research shows that debate participants are 70% more likely to graduate high school than non-debaters (Mezuk, 2009).
-BAUDL has maintained a 100% senior graduation rate for five consecutive years.
-90% of BAUDL debaters transition to higher education, with 60% enrolling in four-year universities and 30% attending junior colleges.
-80% of students report a significant increase in their ability to evaluate arguments and defend their positions effectively after participating (Chikeleze et al., 2018).

Please help us get the word out about this amazing opportunity for our youth.

Sign up for our free debate camp here: https://forms.gle/hHRTyxZATquQhkrf6

More information at www.baudl.org

Help us grow future leaders! Support Bay Area youth with high-quality debate education and essential leadership development. Every dollar makes a difference.
Give Today: https://www.baudl.org/donate.html

Corporate Match? Find out if your company will match your gift: https://doublethedonation.com/baudl

Thanks to the support of our community, four BAUDL student debaters are heading to the Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshop!

As of today, we have raised $28,282, surpassing our goal!

For students that are often working diligently to change the narrative that can come with living in under-resourced communities, these opportunities are a game changer.

Thank you for stepping up.

Thank you for spreading the word.

And, thank you for being part of our students' story.

Help us grow future leaders! Support Bay Area youth with high-quality debate education and essential leadership development. Every dollar makes a difference.
Give Today: https://www.baudl.org/donate.html

Corporate Match? Find out if your company will match your gift: https://doublethedonation.com/baudl

Help Us Send 4 Debaters to Harvard Summer Workshop!

Four BAUDL debaters have been selected for the prestigious Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshop, where top instructors will lead programs designed to teach advanced debate strategies.

Debaters include:
-Beatrice from Emery High School
-Edward from Oakland Tech
-Carlos from Coliseum College Prep Academy
-Fiona from Kipp King

BAUDL's debate program comes at no cost to students, their families, or their schools, including the cost for travel and tuition to Harvard for our four debaters.

We've been able to raise $7,882 so far, but we still have a long road ahead to get our students where they need to be this summer.

We have a goal to double our current amount raised by the end of this week. That's $15,000 toward our $20,000 goal.

If you believe in the power of what debate is bringing to these students' lives, we humbly ask you to make a donation, no matter how big or small, to get us closer to our goal. Every dollar really does count.

Donate Here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/road-to-harvard-fundraiser

Help Us Send 4 Debaters to Harvard Summer Workshop!

Four BAUDL debaters have been selected for the prestigious Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshop, where top instructors will lead programs designed to teach advanced debate strategies.

Help us raise by $15,000 by Friday May 8th! That would put us over the halfway mark.

Debaters include:
-Beatrice from Emery High School
-Edward from Oakland Tech
-Carlos from Coliseum College Prep Academy
-Fiona from Kipp King

Because these students are part of the BAUDL community, we are sponsoring this opportunity at zero cost to their families or schools. But, we need your help covering their transportation and tuition.

We have raised $6,805 toward our $20,000 goal. Your support will help us open new doors for these talented debaters' futures.

Donate Here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/road-to-harvard-fundraiser

Celebrate Our Success: SLC Party Time!

Our Coaches and debaters have been absolutely crushing it on the regional and national circuits all year long. Now that the hard work is done, it’s time to celebrate the Student Leadership Council in style.

Swing by the BAUDL office, grab some food, and vibe with the community. Everyone is welcome, so feel free to bring a friend (or two) along.

When: Friday, May 8th | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Where: BAUDL Office (287 17th St #201, Oakland, CA 94612)
Dinner & Fun provided

Help us grow future leaders! Support Bay Area youth with high-quality debate education and essential leadership development. Every dollar makes a difference.
Give Today: https://www.baudl.org/donate.html

Corporate Match? Find out if your company will match your gift: https://doublethedonation.com/baudl