TORCH

2026-27 TORCH Speech/Debate

Welcome to the TORCH Speech and Debate Club! Together On the Road for Christ’s Honor! Grow resilience, competence, confidence, friendship, and a resume!

We meet Thursdays 1:30-3:00 pm for speech and 3:00-4:30 pm for debate at Capital Baptist Church (3504 Gallows Rd, Annandale, VA 22003). Childcare is available from 1:30-3 p.m.

Speech

TORCH speech has two tracks for students. Students, with guidance from their parents, are welcome to self-select a track.

• Developing Speakers is designed for students who are new to speech and debate or who would benefit from additional instruction and guided practice. Students will learn fundamental skills such as speech organization, delivery, research, argumentation, and competition preparation in a supportive, hands-on environment. This track emphasizes skill-building, confidence, and gradual progression toward independent competition. Hands-on instruction and a supportive environment help you work toward performing a real speech by the end of the semester.

• This track is recommended for students with little or no speech and debate experience, as well as students who are still developing confidence in public speaking and competition.

• Competitive Speakers is designed for students who already have experience in speech and debate and are prepared for a more rigorous, competition-focused environment. Students will refine advanced speaking and argumentation skills, receive detailed coaching and feedback from peers and parents, participate in practice rounds, and focus on tournament preparation and performance. You'll get dedicated work time on your own speeches, leadership opportunities in the club, and a challenge to push into new territory this year.

• This track is recommended for students who have prior speech and debate experience, regularly compete or intend to compete, and can work independently on event preparation between meetings. 

Debate

Debate students choose either Team Policy or Lincoln Douglas (one-on-one debate, centering around values where the debaters will be examining competing value systems to answer big questions).

Junior Speech/Debate

Younger siblings of Senior Speech students can join Junior Speech. Junior Speech kids will also dip their toes into the lively world of Debate led by glamorous Senior Speech virtuosos helping them build a solid skill base.

Junior Speech is open to students ages 7–11. Senior Speech is open to students who are 12 or older by October 1st.  

Please note: Jr Speech/Debate and Childcare are intended for siblings of Senior Speech students. Registration for only Jr. Speech requires special permission in advance (email: torchspeechdebate@gmail.com). 

Parent expectations

TORCH meetings are primarily led by students with parents actively supporting. Every family must have an engaged, present parent at each meeting to facilitate workshops, be a resource, and support students as they lead and learn. This is a hands-on role, not a drop-off program. New parents and students are paired with veterans to walk them through the year.

Every family will schedule a brief conversation with club leadership before enrollment is finalized. This meeting helps us get to know your student, discuss goals and expectations, answer questions, and ensure that TORCH is a great fit for your family. We want to set students up for a successful year!

Club Communication

TORCH members MUST join an app called Band to get all the latest news and RSVP for each club meeting. There’s one Band for all TORCH communication (speech, debate, and Juniors).  Email torchspeechdebate@gmail.com to get in the Band! 

Registration

Early registration until July 25:

• Speech $150

• Debate $150

• Speech and Debate $250

• Jr. Speech/Childcare $50 (This price is an add-on to a senior speech registration. If your oldest student is in Jr. speech, and you are approved, the rate for that first student is $100 for the year. Subsequent students are $50.)

• Family Cap $500

Regular Registration until September 26:

• Speech $200

• Debate $200

• Speech and Debate $350

• Jr. Speech/Childcare $100 (This price is an add-on to a senior speech registration. If your oldest student is in Jr. speech, and you are approved, the rate for that first student is $150. Subsequent students are $100.)

• Family Cap $600

Reimbursement

TORCH members are eligible for reimbursement for some of their tournament fees throughout the school year. This is a way our club can support students’ efforts to compete in tournaments!

Each academic year, students can request reimbursement based on whether they compete in just speech, just debate, or both speech and debate:

• Just speech: $40 per tournament, for up to two tournaments. $80 total possible reimbursement

• Just debate: $40 per tournament, for up to two tournaments. $80 total possible reimbursement

• Both speech and debate: $40 per tournament, for up to three tournaments. $120 total possible reimbursement

Refund Policy

The deadline to drop and receive a full refund (minus PayPal processing fee) is Sept. 18. We are unable to process refunds after that date.

Tournaments

Tournaments are an integral part of speech and debate. They provide opportunities for students to showcase their hard work, learn from other competitors, and make lasting friendships. While we encourage all TORCH members to participate in tournaments, regardless of experience or skill level, we do not require it. 

TORCH hosts two one-day tournaments, one in the fall and one in the spring. These events take a tremendous amount of work, so we do require the following from all families, regardless of whether their student competes in the TORCH tournaments. We are so grateful for your help in making sure our tournaments run smoothly!

• Tournament job: At least one parent from every family must have an assigned tournament job. Plan to be on-site for the duration of the tournament. It’s a long day, but incredibly rewarding.

• Judge recruiting: Judges are essential to TORCH tournaments, so every family will be asked to recruit at least three judges for each tournament. TORCH has a great incentive program for recruiting judges. For every 5 judges you recruit for TORCH tournaments, you’ll receive $50 - with no limit!!

Stoa Membership

TORCH is part of Stoa, a national high school and junior high Speech and Debate organization serving the needs of privately-educated, Christian homeschooling families. Stoa trains and supports us to develop students into confident, articulate leaders who change their culture through the marketplace of ideas. To compete in tournaments, TORCH families must also join Stoa. To learn more, visit https://www.stoausa.org.