VBI Frequently Asked Questions

What is a typical day?
During our normal anchor sessions (Session I & Session II), a typical day will look like this:

7:00am-9:00am: Breakfast
9:00am-10:15am: Modules
10:30am-11:45am: Modules
12:00pm-1:30pm: Lunch/Break
1:30pm-5:30pm: Lab Session
5:30pm-7:30pm: Dinner/Break
7:30pm-9:30pm: Practice Debates
10:30pm: Room check
10:30pm-Midnight: Quiet study time

During our focus weeks, each section will have an its own schedule. Given that the focus weeks will work on file production, more time will be dedicated to individual or group work.

Should I bring a laptop?
It is strongly recommended that you bring a laptop if you have access to one. Case writing, note-taking and research is all significantly easier if you have a computer. It is possible to find inexpensive laptops online.

What is your student:staff ratio?
In labs we try to keep a student to staff ratio of 6:1 – 7:1. Overall, we have about 5:1, including our admin staff, who are around 24 hours a day.

What activities exist in addition to debate?
While we are an intensive/full emersion debate camp (you can see by the schedule we keep the kids busy), there is time for students to relax and unwind. Near the dorms students can play tennis & basketball. There are also large fields for soccer/ultimate/etc. Students who want to work-out also have access to the John Wooden Center – which has weights, cardio equipment and a climbing wall.

… more to come.