About 
The Ohio DECA Summer Leadership Retreat, or simply known as DECA Camp, is a four day excursion in which attendees are paired with other DECA members from across the state in a small group led by a Youth Staff member, a recent camp alumni and graduate.
The Summer Leadership Retreat (SLR) is designed to build a camper’s leadership skills through various small group activities, teamwork exercises, co-initiative small ropes course, inspirational speakers, mock competition, informational workshops, and social events. As the first major event of the year, DECA Camp provides the tools and motivation necessary to be a success in DECA throughout the year.
For 35 years, the goal of the SLR has been to provide the opportunity for Ohio DECA members to develop essential skills needed for their future endeavors in Marketing Education and DECA in a fun, relaxed, social environment.
Announcement:
New pictures from 2009 are up in Images!
Youth Staff applications are available here.
What to Expect
- Meeting other DECA members you'll see for the rest of the year
- Stepping outside of your comfort zone
- Better understanding of what DECA actually is
- Moving speakers, funny skits, and informative workshops
- Meaningful stories and exercises
- Dances, movie, bonfire
- Canoes, kayaks, water noodles, cannonballs and belly flops, arm floaties
- Volleyball, basketball, tennis, and tetherball courts
- Exciting meals that never disappoint
- Lots and lots of DECA love
- FUN and NATURE!
Testimonials
"I attribute a lot of the successes I had in DECA to camp. From running for state officer to competing at the state and national Career Development Conferences, it all started at camp." - Camper from 2002
"To be honest, I didn't really know what DECA was or if I wanted to do this the whole year, but camp solved both of those problems." - Camper from 2004
"I wish we didn't have to leave so soon!" - Many campers, every year
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be with my friends from my school in the small group?
- We try to seperate campers from their classmates in small groups, this allows you to step outside of your normal comfort zone and meet people that you would have otherwise not known.
I went to camp last year, how will this year be any different?
- You will be with an entirely new group of people and have a different Youth Staff leader who has different ways of doing things. There is always new people to meet and new things to learn from each other.
I'm just not that sociable, will I really enjoy this?
- All we ask is that you keep an open mind throughout camp and try things that are new or unfamiliar to you. There are alternatives to attending the dances like a bon fire or watching a movie. You will also find others playing cards during down-time. We try to create something for every personality.
