Thank you so much for agreeing to judge at our Camelback Classic speech and debate tournament! If you are a first time judge we want to assure you that you are qualified to judge! Your willingness to give your time is a genuine gift to these students. They are working hard to develop skills — how to think critically, reason well, and communicate with clarity and conviction — that will serve them for the rest of their lives. We are so grateful you are partnering with us to encourage and challenge them.
A Note for Speech Judges
Speech events are an opportunity for students to share carefully prepared messages with a real audience — and that's exactly what you are. You don't need to be an expert in speech to offer valuable feedback. As you watch each student, simply ask yourself: Was the message clear? Was the delivery engaging and confident? Did they connect with you as an audience member? Your honest, encouraging feedback helps each speaker grow. The speech training video below will walk you through what to look for so you can feel fully prepared and confident going into your rounds.
A Note for Debate Judges
Debate can feel intimidating at first, but the debate training video below will give you everything you need to evaluate rounds and provide meaningful feedback. As you watch students debate, your job is not to decide who is right — it's to evaluate who made the stronger, better-supported argument. These students have worked hard to research, reason, and respond under pressure, and your thoughtful critique will help them sharpen those skills for years to come.
📎 Team Policy Slides | Lincoln Douglas Slides | Parliamentary Slides
Judge Training — Required for All Judges
This training is required to judge at the Camelback Classic, and we've made it as simple as possible.
Step 1: Watch the training video for your judging category above — speech or debate, or both if you're judging both!
Step 2: Review the attached slides for additional reference if helpful.
Step 3: Ask Questions! Please don't hesitate to reach out — that's what we're here for. Email us anytime before the tournament at marshilltournaments@gmail.com, and at the tournament itself, trained staff will be available throughout the facility to assist you.
We are so looking forward to seeing you next week. Thank you again for investing in these students — your presence matters more than you know.
In His service,
The Camelback Classic Tournament Staff
Marshilltournaments@gmail.com