About Our Club
🙏 Christ-Centered Training
We train students to communicate a biblical worldview clearly and persuasively, rooted in Stoa's motto: "Speaking Boldly and Changing the World for Christ."
👨👩👧👦 Homeschool Families
Serving privately educated Christian homeschooling families with students ages 8-18, fostering a supportive environment where faith and learning intertwine.
🏆 Competitive Excellence
As a proud member of Stoa, we participate in regional tournaments and prepare students for the National Invitational Tournament of Champions (NITOC).
Stoa Affiliation
🏛️ National Christian Organization
Affiliation: Member of Stoa USA, a national Christian homeschool speech and debate organization
Ages: Students aged 12-18 (grades 6-12) for Senior Varsity. We are starting a Juniors Club! We are excited to be offering this for our younger students ages 8-12.
Eligibility: Must meet Stoa requirements and obtain a Stoa affiliate number
Benefits: Access to regional tournaments, NITOC qualification, and extensive resources
📖 Biblical Foundation
Stoa's mission aligns with our commitment to train students to speak boldly and change the world for Christ. We emphasize:
- Articulating a biblical worldview
- Thinking critically from a Christian perspective
- Communicating with grace and truth
- Building lifelong friendships in Christ
Events & Activities
📅 Weekly Club Meetings
When: Every Tuesday, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: Athens, TN - Location TBD based on enrollment
Format: Coaching sessions on speech preparation, debate strategies, and practice rounds
Parent Involvement: Parents are encouraged to participate as coaches, judges, and mentors
🏆 Tournament Schedule
Local & Regional: Compete in Stoa tournaments across our region - STOA Tournament Calendar
NITOC Qualification: Earn Green Check Marks (top 40% speech, top 38% debate)
Events: Team Policy and various speech events
🎯 Workshops & Training
Debate Formats: Team Policy
Speech Events: Impromptu, Original Oratory, Apologetics
Special Training: Apologetics workshops to defend the faith
Community Events: Social gatherings, mock tournaments
How to Join
📋 Registration Process
Step 1: Contact us to inquire about Athens Debate Club membership
Step 2: Complete and submit the club registration form: Download the Registration Form (RTF)
Step 3: Attend an introductory meeting to learn about our structure and expectations
Step 4: Visit StoaUSA.org to obtain your Stoa affiliate number
2025-2026 Season: Registration opens August 2025
👪 Family Commitment
Parent Involvement: Active participation from parents is essential
Judge Training: Parents serve as judges at tournaments
Community: Join a close-knit family of believers
Growth: Students learn to handle victory and defeat with grace
Get In Touch
Contact Information
Email: contact@athensdebateclub.org
Location: Athens, TN - Serving Christian homeschool families in our region
StoaHub: Connect with us on StoaHub for member benefits and updates