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BDL at the Coolidge Pennsylvania Open
Signed permission slips are due by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, December 1
The Coolidge Pennsylvania Open is run by the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation with Founding Forward. It uses Coolidge debate, a one-on-one format: every debater has four preliminary rounds on the same resolution, all on Saturday. We travel down together by bus on Friday afternoon for an evening of civic education, stay the night in the campus dorms, tour Valley Forge on Saturday morning, debate all day, and come back on Saturday evening.
The topic
Resolved: Wealth taxes do more harm than good. The Coolidge Foundation has published a research brief on the topic (PDF) to start your preparation.
What's at stake
High School Open/Varsity debaters who win all four rounds earn a bid to the 2027 Coolidge Cup (July 1–5, 2027, in Plymouth Notch, Vermont). Middle School entries are not eligible for bids.
Getting there and back
The BDL charters the bus. All students travel with the group in both directions. The schedule below is Founding Forward's draft and may change.
2:00pm
20 Bruckner Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10454
5:00pm
5:30pm dinner and orientation
6:30–9:00pm civic education: Civic Bingo, a civic engagement workshop (a mock lobbying exercise or a First Amendment court case simulation), and an American history presentation
9:00pm evening wrap-up; students get ready for Saturday
morning
7:30am guided tour of Valley Forge National Historical Park
8:00–8:30am tournament arrival and registration, MacArthur Building
8:30am opening assembly; then debater preparation
12:15pm lunch, MacArthur Dining Room
4:30pm awards, in the Chapel
6:30pm
Luggage collection and boarding from 6:00pm
Two things to complete by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, December 1
- Have your parent/guardian fill out and sign the permission slip.
- Print out the teacher slip, collect all of your teachers' signatures, and give it to your coach. On the teacher slip, write in the due date (Tuesday, December 1) and that you're asking to miss class on Friday, December 4.
Already been to a BDL event this year?
If your child attended a BDL event earlier in the 2026–27 school year — Kickoff, a previous tournament, a workshop — the liability waiver, medical authorization and health details you gave then are already on file. The permission slip lets you say so and skip those sections; you only sign for this tournament.
More information available on our family portal: brooklyndebateleague.org/families
Health and medical care
Please read our Health Management Plan, which sets out how we handle medication, illness and injury at events. If you have any questions at all — about a condition, a medication, or anything you would rather discuss privately — please email jonathan@brooklyndebateleague.org. We would much rather hear from you before the trip than find out on the day.
What to bring
One night away. Label anything you would be upset to lose.
Bring
- Business professional clothes for Saturday, and comfortable clothes for the bus and Friday evening
- Laptop or Chromebook, cell phone, and chargers for both — if your family does not have a laptop to spare, say so on the permission slip and we will bring one for you
- A legal pad, and colored pens and highlighters
- Your notes on the topic, and the research brief
- Refillable water bottle
- Any medications you will need during the trip
- Personal hygiene items — toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, sanitary napkins or tampons
- OMNY or MetroCard for getting to DREAM Charter High School and, if you are travelling home on your own, back
- Snacks or personal spending money
Optional, but nice to have
- Printed copies of anything you have prepared, in case the wifi is slow
- A layer — buildings and buses run cold
Leave at home
- Alcohol, drugs, or weapons of any kind
- Game systems
Expectations
Read these with your parent or guardian before signing.
- Bring your ambitions and your attention. Be ready for every round, prepped and on time.
- Follow instructions from any BDL adult, tournament staff, or staff at Founding Forward's Valley Forge Campus.
- Always be a representative of the BDL. Be kind, courteous, respectful — to judges, to competitors from other schools, and to our hosts.
- Stay with the group at all times, including departure and dismissal.
- Always be in a group of at least three people.
- Absolutely no alcohol, drugs, or weapons are permitted.
- Students may not leave the tournament or the dorms without an adult.
- You must be passing all classes to participate on this trip.
- We are guests at Founding Forward's Valley Forge Campus. Treat the building and the people in it accordingly.
- Stay in the areas the tournament has opened to competitors.
- Phones away during rounds. Between rounds, be reachable by BDL staff.
- Clean up after yourself in the cafeteria and the rooms you compete in.
- Check in with a BDL adult before you leave at the end of each day.
- Stay in the dorms unless you are out with the group and a BDL adult.
- Be back in your room by bed check, and no leaving your room after bed check.
- If you want to spend time with people who are not in your room, do so in the common areas, not in each other's rooms.
- All students will have roommates; we'll announce room assignments when we arrive.
- The rule of three applies in rooms too — you should never be in a room with just one other person.
- Stay safe by staying seated.
- Be respectful of the driver.
- Use headphones and clean up your trash.
Permission slip
To be completed by a parent or guardian, with the student present to sign.
Student
Has this student already been to a BDL event this school year?
If they attended a BDL event since September 2026 — Kickoff, an earlier tournament, a workshop — the liability waiver, medical authorization and health details you gave then are already on file. *
Authorization
I, the parent/guardian of [student's name], who attends [school], authorize my child to attend the Coolidge Pennsylvania Open at Founding Forward's Valley Forge Campus, 1601 Valley Forge Road, Valley Forge, PA, from Friday, December 4 to Saturday, December 5, 2026, travelling with the group on the BDL bus from and back to DREAM Charter High School. The group will stay in the dorms at Founding Forward's Valley Forge Campus. The BDL will have coaches on site; reach out to Brendan Gorman (brendan@brooklyndebateleague.org) with any questions.
Getting there
The BDL charters the bus, and my child will travel with the group in both directions. The bus leaves DREAM Charter High School, 20 Bruckner Boulevard, Bronx, at 2:00 PM on Friday, December 4. It leaves Founding Forward at 6:30 PM on Saturday, December 5, and returns to DREAM Charter High School that evening.
After the tournament
After the tournament, children will be dismissed from the bus. If you'd like to pick your student up, please keep in touch with your student during travel in case of a late or early arrival.
Student agreement
By signing below, the student agrees to meet the expectations for this tournament.
Sign with a finger on a touchscreen, or with the mouse.
Release and waiver of liability
The full agreement is below. You can also open it as a PDF to read or keep.
Release and waiver of liability
IN CONSIDERATION OF the risk of injury that exists while participating in THE BROOKLYN DEBATE LEAGUE which consists of online, hybrid, and in-person debate coaching and tournaments (hereinafter the “Activity”); and
IN CONSIDERATION OF my desire to participate in said Activity and being given the right to participate in the same;
I HEREBY, for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, or personal representatives (hereinafter collectively, “Releasor,” “I” or “me”, which terms shall also include Releasor’s parents or guardian if Releasor is under 18 years of age), knowingly and voluntarily enter into this WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY (“Release”) and hereby waive any and all rights, claims or causes of action of any kind arising out of my participation in the Activity; and
I HEREBY release and forever discharge KM DICOLANDREA, the founder of BROOKLYN DEBATE LEAGUE (“DiCo”) AND ALL STAFF OF THE BROOKLYN DEBATE LEAGUE, located Online, Brooklyn New York 11238, their affiliates, managers, members, agents, attorneys, staff, volunteers, heirs, representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns (collectively “Releasees”), from any physical or psychological injury that I may suffer as a result of my participation in the Activity.
Identification and acknowledgement of the risk
I am voluntarily participating in the activity and I am participating in the activity entirely at my own risk. I am aware of the risks associated with participating in this activity, which may include, but are not limited to: physical or psychological injury, pain, suffering, illness, data mining, phishing, viruses, malware, data breach of online information, cyberbullying, exploitation, victimization, cyber stalking, online grooming, cyber predators, digital footprint, reputation loss, image replication, economic or emotional loss, and death. I UNDERSTAND THAT THESE INJURIES OR OUTCOMES MAY ARISE FROM MY OWN OR OTHERS’ NEGLIGENCE, conditions related to travel to and from the activity, or from conditions at the activity location(s). NONETHELESS, I ASSUME ALL RELATED RISKS, BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN TO ME, OF MY PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITY.
I FURTHER AGREE to indemnify and hold harmless the Releasees against any and all claims, suits or actions of any kind whatsoever for liability, damages, compensation or otherwise brought by me or anyone on my behalf, including attorney’s fees and any related costs.
I FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE that Releasees are not responsible for errors, omissions, acts or failures to act of any party or entity conducting a specific event or activity on behalf of Releasees. In the event that I should require medical care or treatment, I authorize DiCo and all staff of the Brooklyn Debate League to provide all emergency medical care deemed necessary, including but not limited to, first aid, CPR, use of AEDs, emergency medical transport, and sharing of medical information with medical personnel. I further agree to assume all costs involved and agree to be financially responsible for any costs incurred as a result of such treatment. I am aware and understand that I should carry my own health insurance.
I HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS RELEASE AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY. I EXPRESSLY AGREE TO RELEASE AND DISCHARGE DiCo and all staff of the Brooklyn Debate League and all of its affiliates, managers, members, agents, attorneys, staff, volunteers, heirs, representatives, predecessors, successors, and assigns, from any and all claims or causes of action and I agree to voluntarily give up or waive any right that I otherwise have to bring a legal action against DiCo and all staff of the Brooklyn Debate League for personal injury or property damage.
I agree that this Release shall be governed for all purposes by New York law, without regard to any conflict of laws principles. This Release supersedes any and all previous oral or written promises or other agreements.
In the event that any damage to equipment or facilities occurs as a result of my or my family’s or my agent’s willful actions, neglect or recklessness, I acknowledge and agree to be held liable for any and all costs associated with any such actions of neglect or recklessness.
THIS RELEASE SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR THE DURATION OF MY PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITY, DURING THIS INITIAL AND ALL SUBSEQUENT EVENTS OF PARTICIPATION.
This agreement was entered into at arm’s-length, without duress or coercion, and it to be interpreted as an agreement between two parties of equal bargaining strength. Both Participant and DiCo and all staff of the Brooklyn Debate League agree that this agreement is clear and unambiguous as to its terms, and that no other evidence shall be used or admitted to alter or explain the terms of this agreement, but that it will be interpreted based on the language in accordance with the purposes for which it is entered into.
In the event that any provision contained within this Release of Liability shall be deemed to be severable or invalid, or if any term, condition, phrase or portion of this agreement shall be determined to be unlawful or otherwise unenforceable, the remainder of this Release shall remain in full force and effect. If a court should find any provision of this agreement to be invalid or unenforceable, but that by limiting said provision it would become valid and enforceable, then said provision shall be deemed to be written, construed, and enforced as so limited.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that I am the parent or guardian of my child participating in the Brooklyn Debate League, and I do hereby give my consent without reservation to the foregoing on behalf of my child (if participant is under 18 years of age).
Media release
Separate from the waiver, and your choice. Leave the box unticked and we will not publish photographs of your child or their name; it does not affect taking part.
Media release
I HEREBY AUTHORIZE Brooklyn Debate League to publish the photographs taken of me, and my name, for use in their printed publications, social media, and website. I acknowledge that since my participation in publications, social media and websites produced by Brooklyn Debate League is voluntary, I will receive no financial compensation. I further agree that my participation in any publication, social media, and website produced by Brooklyn Debate League confers upon me no right of ownership whatsoever. I release Brooklyn Debate League, its contractors and its employees from liability for any claims by me or any third party in connection with my participation.
Medical authorization
So that staff can act if your child needs care and we cannot reach you in time. How we handle medication, illness and injury is set out in our Health Management Plan.
Medical authorization
I hereby authorize BDL staff to seek emergency medical care, including ambulance transport, and I authorize medical personnel to render treatment, including but limited to first aid, diagnostic procedures, and medically necessary treatment, if I cannot be reached.
I understand that every reasonable effort will be made to contact me before treatment is provided whenever possible.
Health information
In the unlikely event that your student is hurt at the tournament and we cannot reach you, this is what the staff standing next to them would have to go on. The questions marked * need an answer — if there is nothing to tell us, please write n/a so we know you saw the question.
Anything you enter is shared only with the staff at this event. See our Health Management Plan, or email jonathan@brooklyndebateleague.org with any questions.
If a court order or custody arrangement is involved, say so here in your own words — staff will read this before calling anyone.
Primary physician
Health insurance
FERPA / HIPAA authorization addendum
This is what lets us use what you entered above — exchanging it with your child’s doctors and school when it is needed for their care. Both authorizations are required to participate; you can withdraw either later by writing to us.
FERPA / HIPAA authorization addendum
I understand that Brooklyn Debate League (“BDL”) is not a “covered entity” under HIPAA and is not itself a school subject to FERPA. However, because BDL collects health information about my child and coordinates with schools and healthcare providers, I authorize the following:
HIPAA Authorization. I authorize my child’s physician(s), healthcare providers, and any treating medical personnel to disclose relevant medical information to BDL staff when necessary to coordinate emergency care or communicate with EMS/hospital staff. I authorize BDL staff to disclose my child’s medical information (allergies, medications, conditions) to emergency responders, treating providers, and relevant school personnel as needed to protect my child’s health and safety. I understand BDL will treat this information as confidential, store it securely, share it only with staff directly responsible for my child’s safety, and use it for no purpose beyond health, safety, and program administration.
FERPA Authorization. I authorize BDL, as an organization partnering with my child’s school, to share and receive information relevant to my child’s participation, safety, and emergency/medical needs with the school’s administration, nurse, or designated staff, for the purpose of coordinating care during BDL activities. I understand this exchange is limited to information necessary for program participation and emergency response, and does not authorize release of my child’s broader academic records.
I understand I may revoke this authorization at any time by written notice to BDL, except to the extent BDL has already relied on it in good faith.
To withdraw either authorization later, email jonathan@brooklyndebateleague.org in writing.
Parent / guardian
I hereby release Brooklyn Debate League ("BDL"), its board members and staff from any and all liability incurred by my child during this trip. I understand and accept that in the event that my child were to commit an extreme behavioral transgression, endangering the physical or emotional safety or integrity of other scholars or staff, my child will lose this privilege, including, but not limited to, escalated consequences (suspension, detention, etc.) upon their return to the school building.
Second emergency contact
Optional, but helpful: someone other than you, in case we cannot reach you during the day.