LOCATION:

1641 W. Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton TX 75010

SUMMER CAMPS:

Summer camps are a pre-requisite of the Academic Year Clubs (except for Advanced Junior speech club). Students will need to successfully complete the appropriate Summer Camp in order to register for the Academic Year Clubs. 

ACADEMIC YEAR CLUBS:

Students work with our award-winning coaches each week to prepare to learn speech and/or debate and they will have the opportunity to compete at ZSDA organized tournaments as well. As with sports, music, and/or dance competitions, speech and debate tournaments enable the greatest growth in students’ communication skills. 

Students will need to successfully complete the appropriate Summer Camp before registering for the Academic Year Clubs. 

Speech Club:

1. 1. Must be age 10-12 years (for Juniors) or 13-16 years (for Seniors) by August 1st of each academic year prior to beginning public speaking classes.
   2. Beginners, Intermediate, & Advanced: Beginners are required to attend the summer Speech camps. Intermediate & Advanced Juniors and Seniors must complete the previous year’s annual program.
   3. Compete in both speech tournaments during the academic year.

Debate Club:

1. Must be age 13 years old by August 1st of the academic year.
2. Beginners (13 – 15 years): Must attend the multi-day Intro to Team Policy Debate summer camp.
3. Intermediate & Advanced (14 – 16 years): Must attend the multi-day Intermediate/Advanced Team Policy debate accelerated class.
4. Attend two meetings – one weekly club meeting on Saturdays and one weeknight online debate round every other week.
5. Online debate round is held every other Wednesday night from 7-8:30 PM CST for academic year – rounds are mandatory.
6. Compete in both debate tournaments during the academic year.

Zenith Speech and Debate Academy summer camps provide students with a crash course in the basics of speech and debate, offering a chance to improve their communication skills in a challenging but secure environment tailored to their age and experience. The foundation built during these summer camps is the basis on which our academic year program stands, and extends to students an opportunity for us to gauge their level of interest, readiness, and ability to partake in the full academic year program.

Early bird registration ends on May 10, 2024.

Intro to Junior Speech: (Ages 10 – 11 years)

Prerequisite – 10 years old by August 1, 2024. This 2-day camp (9AM – 5PM) introduces the students to the basics and benefits of public speaking via two categories of speech. The goal during the summer camp is to gain the student’s confidence and trust in our ability to get them out of their comfort zone. Students will realize that public speaking is an art and that everyone can do it. The basics taught during this program will be further extended during the annual program. 

Cost will be $299 (early bird) / $399 (regular) for the 2-day camp. There will be 2 options to choose from:

• Option 1: Thursday, August 1, 2024 – Friday, August 2, 2024
• Option 2: Thursday, August 8, 2024 – Friday, August 9, 2024

Intro to Senior Speech: (Age 12 years)

Prerequisite – 12 years old by August 1, 2024. This 2-day camp (9AM – 5PM) introduces two categories of speech to help students understand the foundation of public speaking, the benefit of this art and to help them start to overcome their fear and nerves. They are taught facets of this art, ranging from vocal delivery skills (such as inflection, modulation, and volume variance) to physical delivery as well as the general foundation for overall effective communication. This will be the start of their journey to learn effective communication and how to capture the audience’s attention when they present their ideas, by bringing life to the words on the page. The students will build upon these basics during the annual program and write their own speeches.

Cost will be $325 (early bird) / $425 (regular) for the 2-day camp. There will be 2 options to choose from: 

• Option 1: Wednesday, July 31, 2024 – Thursday, August 1, 2024
• Option 2: Wednesday, August 7, 2024 – Thursday, August 8, 2024 

Intro to Senior Speech and Team Policy Debate: (Age 13+ years)

Prerequisite – 13 years old by August 1, 2024. This 4-day camp (9AM – 5PM each day) will introduce middle and high school students to the art of Speech and Debate. Students will learn about core presentation and delivery skills that boost their confidence and self-esteem, how to impact an audience with their speeches. The debate portion will focus on teaching them the basics of Team Policy debate: the category’s format, structuring and constructing arguments, researching evidence, resolution and case basics, refuting opposition, partner coordination, and cross-examining opponents amongst other techniques. This summer camp will form the foundation to a successful academic year program in Speech and Debate. 

Cost will be $599 (early bird) /$749 (regular) for the 4-day camp. There will be 2 options to choose from:

• Option 1: Wednesday, July 31, 2024 – Saturday, August 3, 2024 
• Option 2: Wednesday, August 7, 2024 – Saturday, August 10, 2024

Equipment: 

Intro to Junior Speech: Students will need to bring along a notebook and writing tools to each day of club (and all of their fun personality).

Intro Senior Speech and Debate: Students will need to bring along a notebook and writing tools to each day of the club. It is strongly recommended that students bring along their laptop or tablets as (1) students type faster than they write and it is legible for our Coaches, (2) it is faster to research online and edit the debate cases, (3) saves time with homework as assignments must be submitted electronically.

Attendance/Participation:

• Attendance is mandatory 
• Students are required to be 5-10 minutes early to check in and get settled; tardiness may result in students being sent back home
• Cell phone usage is not permitted during class. They are free to use their devices during breaks throughout the day.
• The dress code emphasized is of modesty and professionalism, as our goal is to minimize the focus on the body or outward appearance and maximize the focus on learning and the development of communication skills. Dress as one would to school without offensive t-shirts or revealing attire; no hats or pajamas are allowed. Slovenliness is disabused and clean hair and attire are highly recommended. 
• No eating or drinking in class; gum-chewing is not allowed either. 

Parents/Siblings/Other Family Members/Non-Students:

ZSDA classes are not open to the general public and unregistered students, and as such, our students are afforded heightened privacy protections. Non-students will not be allowed to sit and observe. Should you want to check out a class, please contact our Director to discuss options.

No Recordings:

Recording of any ZSDA session is expressly prohibited as it impinges on ZSDA’s Intellectual Property. All material is copyrighted and may not be recorded nor disseminated in any form or platform. Doing so is expressly prohibited and may be grounds for expulsion and legal suit. 

CODE OF CONDUCT:

With respect, and integrity, shall all participants endeavor to behave in a manner befitting of a young lady and gentleman. They will conduct themselves in a kind, polite, respectful, and professional manner, while being committed to conscientiously fulfilling their responsibilities and assignments in a timely manner. 

PUNCTUALITY:

• Registered students are required to be 5-10 minutes early and tardiness will not be tolerated at clubs.
• Students who are later than 5 minutes grace period provided to check-in, may not be allowed into the classroom so that they do not disrupt the other students and coaches at work. 
• Students will be signed-in upon entry to the session and to each club, each time.

COMMUNICATIONS:

• All mobile devices are to be on DND mode while classes are in session in order to not disrupt the students or coaches. Phones should not be used at all while in class. Access to internet research is not allowed unless coaches/directors gives authorization for it. 
• All students must have a gmail address provided (gmail  is required in order to be compatible with the Google ecosystem used by the Academy’s staff and for homework/research etc.; school emails are not allowed).
• All students will conduct themselves with respect and integrity; respect will be accorded to everyone at club in any and all communications.
• There will be zero-tolerance of falsehoods/plagiarism, disrespectful behavior, any rude, discriminatory or harrassing behavior or language, misuse of facilities or communication platforms, spamming, use of personal material on work platforms, infringement of our Policies.

SUPERVISION & FACILITIES (when applicable):

• Students must be picked up on time and are not to be left unattended at the facility.
• No other unregistered children are to be brought to the facility to be left unattended and/or unsupervised.
• We are guests in the facility and will maintain our utmost respect and decorum while on premises.
• Parents are fully and unequivocally liable for any damage caused by their children.
• There are no waiting rooms for and the facilities do not allow for parents at our club location; so please plan to drop-off and pick-up your child(ren) as parents will not be allowed to wait inside the facility.

PARENT PARTICIPATION:

• Parents’ agree to adhere to all Policies of the Academy without causing any discord for student’s enrollment to be valid
• Two parents’/guardians’ information (separate cell phone numbers and email addresses) are required and must be provided to the Academy to be kept on file for safety purposes – to be contacted in case of an emergency
• If the student is running late, parents need to come in to provide an explanation and sign the student in – tardy students will not be allowed to enter the classroom as stated above
• Parent participation is required; the students’ success depends on how we band together as parents’, as one community in their best interests

DRESS CODE:

• The dress code emphasized is modesty and professionalism as our goal is to minimize the focus on the body or outward appearance and maximize the focus on learning and the development of communication skills. Students will dress in a respectable manner even to camps, clubs, and all practice sessions, not just tournaments.
• If the students are not in attire following the dress/shoe code, we will be calling their parents immediately to ask them to pick them up immediately. So it is imperative that the students come attired in the proper outfits following the dress code outlined below:
• Close-toed shoes must be worn at all times; no flip-flops, slip-on sandals/Crocs or shoes with wheels are allowed for safety reasons.  Students may wear shorts but must be loose-fitting; no cutoffs, biking/running/boxer shorts or combination thereof, must be hemmed or cuffed; length must be to the fingertips or longer and at the knee.  Dresses or skirts must be longer than fingertips, and close to the knee.  Tanks tops with straps less than “two fingers width”, tube tops or anything showing your midriff, halter type blouses or mesh shirts will not be permitted.  Sun dresses will be permitted only if modestly cut; nothing with ties. Shirts should overlap the waistband of skirts, shorts, or pants. Items with provocative, offensive, violent, or alcohol, tobacco or drug-related pictures, slogans or references will not be permitted. No sagging pants or shorts.  No gang paraphernalia.  No visible pierced jewelry other than earrings.  No slovenly appearance including messy hair. All students are expected to meet community standards and school policies with regard to health, cleanliness and appearance. 
• For tournaments: For the gentlemen, slacks, dress shirt, and tie are required attire with dress shoes; a well-cut suit is highly recommended for a polished look. For the ladies, business attire with a dress or a nice skirt and blouse with a blazer is highly recommended with pumps. No flip-flops or sandals are allowed. Once again, no short skirts or dresses above fingertips, no fancy gowns or prom-like dresses, and no revealing inappropriate clothing; no wrinkled clothing nor graphic/slovenly clothing will be tolerated. Hairstyles should be professional and neatly groomed, including facial hair for young men. 

ABIDE BY THE THREE STRIKE RULE:

• Students breaking any of the Code of Conduct rules  or Club Policies may be subject to the following disciplinary actions:  In the first instance, the student will be given a verbal warning by the Directors; in the second instance the student will be given a verbal warning, may be dismissed temporarily from participation and the parent notified.  In the third instance, the student may be dismissed permanently from the activity/program.  Directors may dismiss a Student from the Academy and all ZSDA privileges revoked without completing the Three Strike Rule process.
• Any student who believes that he or she has observed or has experienced prohibited behaviors should report these immediately to the Director.

RECORDINGS:

• NO video or audio recording of any instruction or material will be allowed and is expressly prohibited. Parents and students agree to this clause unilaterally and unequivocally.
• Any and all photography and/or video recordings that is taken by students and parents/family during the tournaments or wrap-up ceremonies should be for private usage only and should not be shared or disseminated publicly or privately without express consent of ZSDA. Doing so is expressly prohibited and may be grounds for expulsion and legal suit. 
• ZSDA has permission to photograph student(s) during our training and tournaments. ZSDA photographs will be used for promotional purposes only and privacy of students’ names will be maintained.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY:

Parents or legal guardians acknowledge that they have freely chosen to enroll their child in a ZSDA program, and release ZSDA LLC, our staff, and host facilities from all liability in the event of accident or injury while participating in our program. Parents or legal guardians also agree to be held liable for any and all damages, costs, and/or reparations to ZSDA and the host facilities for any damages caused by their child(ren) and towards that end, will sign an indemnity statement prior to start of camp/club. Parents or legal guardians also represent that their child(ren) are in good physical and cognitive health, and do not possess any contagious illness, physical or cognitive challenges that limit their participation in the program.

TERMINATION OF ENROLLMENT:

Parents agree to enroll their children in this Academy of their own free will, in agreement of all the Academy’s Policies, and will do so without any discord; causing unnecessary dissension/discord or violation of any of our Policies may lead to termination of your student’s registration. There will be zero-tolerance of discriminatory behavior/language or harrassment, disrespectful behavior or language, misuse of facilities and electronic platforms, and other basic rights and of our Policies; this applies to both students and parents. ZSDA reserves the right to dismiss any student due to frequent absences/tardiness, lack of discipline, inappropriate behavior, and/or parental or guardian noncompliance with the academy policies. No fees or money paid otherwise will be refunded as per our policy.

NON-REFUNDABLE FEES: 

Any and all fees are non-refundable and non-transferable; due to the legal nature of this contract, there will be no exclusions made to this clause (including any student/parent withdrawals due to change of mind or schedule conflicts etc). If student/parent chooses to withdraw in the middle of the program (summer or academic year), no prorated refund will be given. Speech and Debate camps/clubs have certain prerequisites that need to be fulfilled prior to start of class and no exclusion will be made to this either; the directors’ decision is final. Student’s registration and enrollment is the parent’s commitment that your student will participate to the best of their ability in their registered program and that both parents and students will abide by all rules of ZSDA. ZSDA has the right to terminate any student’s registration at any time for any reason including parents’ discord and no refund will be made as well in that account. Our policy enables us to provide for the best possible learning and competitive experience for your student(s) and all others too, while serving everyone with honor and integrity. Registration fees are not inclusive of the tournament fees. 

REFUSAL OF SERVICES:

ZSDA reserves the right to refuse services to anyone for any reason.