What are eligibility requirements?

In order to participate in Go Forth Carolina! Speech and Debate Club, a student must be home schooled under the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education.  

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How old does my child need to be?

Go Forth Carolina is currently offering the following Speech and Debate activities:

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Jr Speech: 5-8 yrs old

Junior Varsity Speech: 9-11 yrs old

Varsity Speech: 12-18 yrs old

Public Forum Debate: 10-12 yrs old 

Team Policy Debate: 12-18 yrs old

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What does Go Forth Carolina believe?

Statement of Faith

1. There is one God eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:16, Matthew 28:19, John 10:30, 2 Corinthians 13:14)

2. Man is sinful and therefore separated from God, who is holy and perfect.
(Isaiah 53:5-9, Romans 3:23, I Peter 1:15-16)

3. Jesus Christ paid the eternal penalties for our sin through His death on the cross.
(Luke 24:46, I Peter 2:21)

4. Jesus Christ also resurrected bodily and ascended into heaven and will return one day to fulfill His kingdom. (Matthew 28:6, Revelation 19:11)

5. Only through Jesus Christ and the grace of His provision of salvation, may we be saved from eternal punishment, enter into God’s family and receive eternal life.
(Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:11, I John 1:9)

6. The Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible and authoritative Word of God and the truth for Christian faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, John 17:17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Psalm 19:7-11, John 6:67-69)

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How much time will it take? 

Speech and debate does require a time commitment greater than that of a typical school subject.  Students are expected to attend weekly club meetings to receive instruction, direction, and to practice their developing skills.  In addition, the students will be investing time outside of club researching and preparing their speeches and cases/briefs for debate. Although the amount of time invested is up to the students, as in most aspects of life, results are directly proportional to the time invested (quality and quantity).  In the case of debate and the team speech events, it’s a good practice to discuss commitment levels between partners and families to ensure expectations are aligned.

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Is parent participation required?

Yes! Parent participation is required! In all homeschooling endeavors, parent participation is critical to success – the same is true with speech and debate.  Parents are always welcome and encouraged to attend club meetings, but during tournaments parent involvement is crucial.  Many judges are needed for debate and speech tournaments, and parents are very well-qualified for this role (yes, we will train you how to judge).  

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When and where do you meet?

 

Pillar Church

10 East Drive

Jacksonville, NC 28546

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Fridays beginning September 15, 2023 (click "Calendar" tab for all dates) 

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Public Forum Debate: 1:00pm- 2:00pm

Jr/JV/Varsity Speech: 2:00pm - 3:30pm 

Team Policy Debate: 3:30pm - 5:15pm

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Does my Varsity student have to do both Speech AND Debate?

No.  Although many students benefit from and enjoy doing both, Speech and Debate are separate activities; thus, students can choose to do one or the other or preferably BOTH. 

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Is there a cost? 

Yes, there is a cost. 

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For ALL Families 

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• Club dues:  

  • Varsity $60 for 1st student/$45 per additional student

  • ​Junior and JV students: $45 for 1st student/$35 per additional student​

• Affiliation with Stoausa.org is required for insurance coverage ($95/family until Sept 1)

• JV only family $35 for Stoa Affiliation 

• Tournaments are optional and registration fees vary anywhere from $25.-$50++ per student depending on number of events entered.

• Travel expenses and hotel accommodations associated with tournaments. 

• Professional attire for students attending tournaments (suit and tie for boys, skirt suit (knee length) or pant suit for girls)

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Additonal Expenses For Team Policy Families (ages 12-18)

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• Monument Members Subscription for Team Policy Students - $15/month or $99/year

  • This is the source material needed for successful competition in our league.  Please click HERE to navigate to Monument Members. 

• Plenty of ink and printing paper for affirmative and negative briefs 

 

Just a few benefits of paying club dues: 

• Weekly support and coaching for speech and debate

• 1 GFC spiral bound speech book (speech event/rules/ballots/tips, etc)

• 1 GFC flow book

• Facility expenses

• Website maintenance

• Scholarships

• League Insurance

• Awards

• Offsets tournament costs

• Printing expenses

• Signage expenses

• Hospitality items 

• General operational expenses

 

 

Please feel free to email or call Leslie if you have further questions!

 

goforthcarolina@gmail.com

910.548.6010

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