2026 California Sol great debate

Summer 2026

California, USA

About the Great Debate

For over three decades, first-year NHI members have come to harness the power of their voices and engage with perspective-changing ideas. The Great Debate offers a rigorous learning experience for high-achieving, high-ability 9th-grade youth who aspire to community and civic leadership roles in the future. NHI's Great Debate is a communications and leadership development program for ambitious and courageous young people. If you are or know a young person committed to making meaningful change in the world, and are driven toward building up our community, NHI and the Great Debate experience is a must. The California Sol Great Debate result in community-building, personal growth, and collective preparation. Students leave knowing they’ve contributed to something greater than themselves and taken the first step in a lifelong journey of leadership.

Who should apply:

When you apply:

Submit the name of the NHIer, educator, or community member who nominated you to participate on the team.

Submit the $25 Application Fee

Great Debate Tuition & Information

What Does Tuition Cover?

Six days on a college campus in dorms
A full meal plan
Private access to training areas
College Day exclusively for program participants
Staff-student ratio of 1:15
Supplies and materials
Commemorative program T-shirt
Certificate of participation
Highly motivating curriculum

NHI Membership

Students who complete the Great Debate are granted full NHI membership — including access to future leadership programs, volunteer opportunities, and faculty development — as long as they remain in good standing.

2025 Tuition & Fees

Application Fee: $25 (non-refundable)
Great Debate Deposit: $150 (non-refundable)
Great Debate Tuition: $695 (balance after deposit)

Payment & Support

Upon official acceptance, a $150 deposit secures your student’s spot. Families manage tuition in a variety of ways:

Payment plans
Sponsorships
Online fundraising
Community grants

NHI will provide a payment schedule upon acceptance and works with each family individually to ensure a smooth process.

Where Leaders Begin...

Explore bold ideas, challenge perspectives, and build community with your team your team—but real leadership goes even further. It’s about using your voice to build something bigger than yourself. Through regional practices, team challenges, and shared wins and losses, you’ll build friendships grounded in trust, laughter, and growth. These connections become a lasting network of support, inspiration, and future opportunity.

Manage yourself in

Global Environments

You'll challenge ideas, grow as a leader, and form friendships that extend far beyond the tournament. This is more than a debate—it’s the beginning of a shared journey. Don’t miss your chance to be part of it.

Represent your Community

Join peers from across your city to train and prepare for an unforgettable experience this summer. Join a year-long membership that uplifts and challenges you to represent your community. By the time you step into the Great Debate, you won’t just be speaking for yourself—you’ll be representing a team that helped shape your voice every step of the way.

The Power of Your Voice Starts Here

The Great Debate is where you learn to argue ideas with clarity, confidence, and purpose—because leadership begins with how you speak and what you stand for. Represent your community, think critically, and influence conversations that matter.

Communicate your Ideas with Strategy & Passion

Communicate your vision with strategy, and heart. When you speak with purpose, your voice becomes a tool to inspire and lead real change. It's at places like the Great Debate where real influence is born.