Bowling Green, Ky. - About 100 students from six states have been at Western Kentucky University this week for a summer forensic camp.

The camp, in its 16th year, provides a week of intense study in speech and debate. The camp is directed by WKU forensic director Judy Woodring and taught by members of WKU's top-ranked forensic program.

Visiting coaches from George Mason, Texas, Bradley, South Carolina and Illinois State join Western's staff to instruct the students in 11 individual events as well as debate, extemporaneous and impromptu speaking. The camp ends at noon Friday.

"Students know when they enroll in our camp that it isn't going to be a week of socializing but a week of hard work which will pay off when they find themselves in out-rounds at the high school nationals," Woodring said. "Of the 76 students attending last year's camp, all but five were state or national finalists in their respective events. We go beyond teaching students the basics. We try to let students know that we are teaching them life skills."

Students are attracted to the WKU camp in part because of the program's reputation of national and international championships. The forensic program is part of Western's Department of Communication.

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Judy Woodring at (270) 745-6340.