Opportunities From: Serve DC

Washington Urban Debate League (WUDL) is excited to welcome volunteers who are ready to make an impact at our local tournaments and after school programs! Started in 2014, WUDL has made transformative debate opportunities available to thousands of students from more than 80 public schools across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. We are dedicated to the continued success of our debaters, fostering community, and preparing them with the skills they will need to succeed in their careers and lives.

Volunteering for an urban debate league is a great way to make a large impact in a short amount of time. Every volunteer judge allows for 4 more students to participate, and the feedback you provide is crucial to their development. Volunteers’ dedication changes lives for students across the DMV, and we’re grateful for your support. Let’s keep making every debate tournament count!

Learn about volunteer roles below and sign up here. All volunteers must complete a background check, provided by WUDL.

Judging Opportunities: Tournament judges evaluate student debates, provide meaningful feedback, and inspire young debaters to reach their potential. No debate experience is necessary—we're looking for engaged volunteers with open minds and a commitment to student learning. Judges create the supportive, educational atmosphere that makes tournaments successful while helping nurture the next generation of thoughtful, articulate citizens.

Prefer consistent, periodic involvement

Usually during Saturdays, once a month from 8am to 6pm (with the option for a half-day)

Training is provided

Meals typically provide

Washington Urban Debate League (WUDL) supports, sustains, and starts new debate programs at public middle and high schools in the greater Washington area, especially at Title 1 schools. We work with more than 80 schools across the D.C. area, host the local tournament schedule, providing curriculum and resources to schools and students, host a summer program, and are other-wise a one-stop shop for debate in the region.

We've won numerous awards across the last ten years, including from the Spur Local as "one of the best" local nonprofits), the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues (Most Outstanding League), and are the reigning UDL Middle School National Champions (6 years in a row(!)

Why Debate?

Peer reviewed research shows that debate is one of the best things that a student can do with their time to compliment their traditional education. Debate improves test scores and grades, graduation and college attendance, social-emotional growth, literacy, and civic engagement. Before the WUDL, debate programs were few and far between at public schools, especially in Title 1 Schools, existing only at elite private or suburban schools. Our programming makes a great educational opportunity available to students who haven't traditionally had access to it.

Our Program: Volunteers partner with school based coaches to run local teams, meeting with students at least once a week. We are looking for folks able to work with a local school in the mid-late afternoons, many meeting times are still TBD with the start of the school year. The ideal coach could attend Saturday tournaments with their kids, but this IS NOT a requirement.

Washington Urban Debate League (WUDL) supports, sustains, and starts new debate programs at public middle and high schools in the greater Washington area, especially at Title 1 schools. We work with more than 80 schools across the D.C. area, host the local tournament schedule, providing curriculum and resources to schools and students, host a summer program, and are other-wise a one-stop shop for debate in the region. We've won numerous awards across the last ten years, including from the Spur Local as "one of the best" local nonprofits), the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues (Most Outstanding League), and are the reigning UDL Middle School National Champions (6 years in a row(!)

Why Debate?

Peer reviewed research shows that debate is one of the best things that a student can do with their time to compliment their traditional education. Debate improves test scores and grades, graduation and college attendance, social-emotional growth, literacy, and civic engagement. Before the WUDL, debate programs were few and far between at public schools, especially in Title 1 Schools, existing only at elite private or suburban schools. Our programming makes a great educational opportunity available to students who haven't traditionally had access to it.

Our Program: Volunteers attend Saturday tournaments to listen and provide feedback on youth advocacy. Their feedback drives practices for months afterwards. Tournaments occur once a month, and rotate around the city so nobody has to travel too far all the time.