Space City Camp
Welcome to Texas History 101: Speech and Debate Edition
In the early 1960s, American determination to enter space grew exponentially, which required a vast facility to be built. William Harris, the Space Center Houston president, suggested that Houston was the best location since the city “is all about being inspirational to taking risks to really press the fabric of things.” This push for exploration was the cause of Houston’s new moniker: Space City.
Fast forward almost 70 years later, and the name still fits the city of Houston, even in the realm of Speech and Debate. Although the program exists on the basis of equality, there is a recent discourse over who gets access to the platform in the first place. The very fabric of Speech and Debate has undeniably become intertwined with issues of inaccessibility and elitism. However, Speech and Debate alumni Rodrigo Trujillo, Diego Castillo, Oluwadara Adebanjo, and Ebenezer Appiah continue to “press the fabric” through their non-profit organization, and might we add appropriately named, Space City Camp. Space City Camp aims to provide resources and experience at no cost to competitors, emulating the same ambition that earned Houston its nickname.
SCC serves through its online platform to empower debaters and speakers across the nation. From its annual virtual camp for multiple events to its volunteer staff filled with highly acclaimed competitors, SCC embodies its mission to make success attainable no matter one's circumstances. With registration opening and the introduction of their new initiatives, you don't want to miss out on this opportunity!
Make sure to check Space City Camp on their social media to find more information about their camp, resources, and new events. Listen to our interview below with the Space City Camp board to learn more about their mission and how they are working to expand accessibility in high school forensics.
“I feel an active obligation to give back, and I want to make that [feeling] common.”
