Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCFCA?

The National Christian Forensics and Communications Association is the third largest speech and debate league in the nation and is made up primarily of Christian homeschooling families. Their mission is "To challenge and equip ambassadors for Christ to communicate truth with integrity and grace." Logos prepares students to compete in the NCFCA (NCFCA.org).

When and where do you meet?

We meet at Stony Hill Baptist Church in Wake Forest on Wednesdays from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. We typically start in late August with an all-club meeting, and then we alternate weeks between speech and debate. You may choose to attend speech weeks, debate weeks, or both.

How old does a student have to be to join Logos NC?

Logos is primarily a high school club, but anyone who is age 12 by January 1 of the current competition year is eligible to compete in NCFCA, and therefore eligible to join our club.

How much does it cost to be a part of Logos?

We do our best to keep club fees under $100 per family. In addition, each family must affiliate with the national organization, which is currently $160 per family, per year. Competition opportunities incur additional costs.

Does Logos have scholarship money available for families?

Yes! We do have limited funds available for families who need help paying their club fees or competition fees. In addition, NCFCA offers scholarships as well.

What are the requirements to participate?

In addition to affiliating with the NCFCA and attending meetings regularly, we require each family to attend one practice tournament and one three-day qualifier sometime in the spring. There are several tournaments from which to choose.

What is your attendance policy?

This is not a drop-off club, and therefore we require attendance by the student(s) and a parent at each club meeting. Parents are needed at club meetings to provide valuable feedback for students. In addition, we require each family to attend one practice event (usually one full day in November or December) and at least one qualifier (January-April). A parent must also attend and assist with these events.

What if we must miss a meeting?

Absences should be reserved for emergencies and illness. Please do not schedule appointments or other activities during our club meeting times. Since we alternate weeks and have so few meetings to prepare for competition, families with more than two absences will be asked not to return to club.

May I bring younger siblings to club meetings?

Yes! We have a junior club available (on speech weeks only) for younger siblings of current competitors. If your student does not wish to participate, they may stay with you during the duration of the meeting, and we recommend you bring something for them to do quietly.

Can we join Logos with just a junior club student?

Junior club is offered as a courtesy to families who are in the regular club. We do not have the resources to allow families with only junior competitors to join Logos.

What is your homework policy?

Students will be assigned weekly homework and are expected to fully complete it each week in order to be ready for competition season. Upon check-in each week, homework will be checked by those on the leadership team. Students who do not have their homework completed will need to head to the "Think Tank" with a parent to complete it during the beginning of the meeting. Students who have incomplete homework more than twice will be asked not to return to Logos.

Is there a dress code?

Club meetings are casual, but please be mindful of modesty. Tournaments, which begin in January, have a strict dress code: suits and ties for the gentleman, and business attire for the young ladies. Specifics about the dress code are delineated in the tournament guidebook, which will be provided during the season.

What kind of speeches will my student present?

We encourage all new students to begin with a platform speech, which is typically a 10-minute informative or persuasive speech on a topic of the student's choice. Part of our early club meetings is guiding students into the kinds of topics that will work well for competition. We also encourage students to try a limited preparation speech, like impromptu, apologetics, or extemporaneous speaking. The league also includes opportunities for interpretive speeches, which are more dramatic in nature.

What kind of debate training does Logos offer?

Currently we offer Lincoln-Douglas Debate training at club (1 on 1). The league also offers Team Policy Debate (2 on 2) and Moot Court (mock Supreme Court), and we have outside coaching resources available for students who would like to participate.

What happens at speech club meetings?

After check-in, announcements, and a brief devotion, we meet as a large group to learn different aspects of communication and speech. Then we break out into pre-assigned speech core groups for fellowship, discussion, and practice. Once speeches have been written (usually by October), students will then present and practice their speeches in various breakout rooms with other students and parents, giving and receiving feedback on their work.

What do you do at debate club meetings?

After check-in, announcements, and a brief devotion, we usually split into novice and advanced tracks. Novices will learn the basics of debate and begin discussing the year's resolution. Advanced students will begin discussing the year's resolution and writing cases. By the end of October, the two tracks will merge and we will begin having practice debate rounds in club.

What additional opportunities are offered outside of regular club meetings?

Logos offers an Apologetics Club on speech weeks and Extemporaneous Club on debate weeks; these clubs are for students who wish to compete in these speech events at tournaments. A student must be either in speech or debate club to participate in one of these limited prep clubs. Both clubs meet at Stony Hill Baptist Church from 12:00-1:45, prior to the regular club meeting time.

In the summer, we usually host an optional speech workshop and a debate workshop to help jumpstart students before the new season begins.

How do you select leaders and coaches?

Leaders and coaches are volunteers and are approached by the current leadership team to fill various roles, with the final discretion going to the club leader.

Can this activity count for credit on a high school transcript?

Yes! Many parents use speech and/or debate as a Language Art/English credit, especially for students who really struggle reading or writing, or those who have dyslexia. If not an English credit, some choose to count speech and/or debate for elective credit. Others choose instead to include it on a high school résumé as an extra curricular activity.

How do we join?

Please contact a member of the leadership team to let us know of your interest. Application links will then be sent out in April, with a deadline of May 10^th to apply.

Have a question not found here?

Contact a member of the leadership team or send an email to info@logosnc.com.