California Association Of Student Councils

The California Association of Student Councils (CASC) easily changed my life. When I was in high school I was a little lost and unsure about myself and future, and then was directed towards a CASC Conference, which helped me find my voice and my direction. I am now 30 years old and work in mental health, helping empower others, and I truly believe that this is a result of my involvement with CASC.

The California Association of Student Councils is easily the best decision of my high school career. Never have I ever felt so empowered and confident in myself and the personal development I have experienced over the last four years from CASC is truly amazing.

I started CASC as a shy freshman when I attended UC Berkeley 2011 Summer Camp. CASC was such a welcoming, friendly environment and despite only four days, I became such great friends with people in a short period of time. Not an avid speaker, CASC presented me many opportunities to step outside of my comfort zone and grow externally and internally. After summer camp, I took it upon myself to take on as many CASC opportunities as I could, and throughout the past 4 years, CASC really pushed me to become a better person and leader.

CASC gave me a voice and the knowledge and skill set of a life time. I cannot thank CASC enough for the support and lessons it has taught me as well as the amazing people who I have become close friends with. CASC is definitely one of the most life-changing experiences ever. Without this organization, I really don't know where I would be because CASC has truly made me who I am.

CASC made me the person I am today. UCSB Summer Camp started my CASC journey -- I was inspired by high-school-age counselors and staff, directly changing lives. I couldn't imagine myself being so confident and impactful. But I went to SDP and trained and learned for three long days, and then I found myself counseling my own group of 8 high school students. I found myself and I found confidence in myself and my leadership abilities. I am a leader. And I made my mark on hundreds of lives. I didn't have to be loud or outgoing or grownup to "be the change I wanted to see in the world." I can't thank CASC enough for making me a leader.

I am one of those kids that wants to make a change in this world. Before I became a part of CASC, I had no idea how to go about making this change. After going to one of their programs and being a part of the State Council, I finally discovered what I want to do and how to go about making a difference. They opened my eyes to tons of opportunities and showed me that the best time to start something is now. I can't thank them enough for the tools they've given me that will help me become the leader I want to be and for how much they inspired me. I hope they can keep working on helping kids like me for many years to come!

CASC has opened so many doors for me as an individual. It has granted me the opportunity to become a real part of my community. It is an incredible organization that has changed my life for the better in a short amount of time. It gives youth the chance to take their ambition and run with it in a way that will impact lives forever. CASC's mission is to better the future, and if I know anything for sure it is that it has bettered mine.

CASC is an organization that has changed my life. I have been fortunate enough to attend the Santa Barbara Summer Leadership Conference, SABE, SABLE, and YASC. Through experiencing the full extent of CASC, I now am a better leader, because I am now equipped with the life skills I need (i.e. running a meeting, public speaking, conflict-resolution) to pursue a leadership position in any field I feel passionate about. Not only am I more capable– I am more confident thanks to CASC as well. SABE and SABLE gave me the opportunity to analyze and understand– and even make changes to–my own education. YASC equipped me with the inspiration and skills necessary to start or work with other non-profits. Now that I am a board member, I can say that CASC on all levels, whether you be a delegate, a counsellor, a cabinet member, a state council member, or a board member, changes lives and continues to develop skilled and ethical leaders from all walks of life.

I had my first CASC experience last year when I joined the Los Angeles county region cabinet, and since then CASC has transformed my life. This organization really empowers students to try to step up to make a difference in their community. At my first major conference, SABLE, the Student Advisory Board on Legislation in Education, I presented a bill proposal before the California Assembly Education Committee. This was a marvelous experience for me. To date, I'm still trying to make the bill proposal a reality, using the experiences CASC gave me. Currently, I am the Region 9 President and a student member on the Board of Directors. Honestly, I just want to get as involved as possible with this wonderful organization and help grow it to its greatest potential. I've seen lives drastically changed by this organization and I want to make sure every student in California has an opportunity to have their lives changed.

While CASC came into my life later than I would have liked, I completely embody what CASC has to teach and give. While the California Association of Student Councils does a wonderful job reaching out to students across the world, it especially affected my community. Because of CASC, our region board has been able to accomplish so many things and has been able to give back to our community.

Without being involved CASC, I'm not quite sure where my passion would lie. CASC has not only changed my life, but over the way I think and the way I treat affect others. And I am totally okay with it. It has helped me become not only a better, open minded person, but a more effective leader and student.

The second I began to work with CASC, I fell in love with it. The atmosphere, the kind, welcoming people, and the shared passion to truly do something great was so alluring I could not help but keep coming back.

I am confident that CASC will continue to improve me as a person and cannot wait to impact others the way CASC has impacted me. CASC is truly a wonderful organization that I hope will continue to help kids in the future have a voice and truly Change The Future.

The California Association of Student Councils is a life-changing experience that all elementary school, middle school, and high school students should take part in. CASC is not just any leadership organization. What sets CASC apart are the results and success of its programs. Without attending my first CASC conference, I would not be the leader that I am today. CASC has given me the confidence, passion, and set of skills that make me believe that as one individual in the entire world I can make a huge impact. With the set of skills that CASC has given me, I feel ready to take on any challenge, and I can only hope to give back to this amazing organization as much as it has given to me.

CASC embodies the essence of leadership. Why? Because as an organization that is centered around student leadership and student advocacy, CASC successfully strives to develop all types of students from diversified backgrounds and cultures in order to produce excellence in students. Each year, CASC provides a bigger platform for students to express their concerns in both leadership and education on the regional and state level. The organization never fails to inspire the youth to produce phenomenal change.

To me personally, CASC has facilitated my development as a high school student throughout the past three years. By attending multiple in-year conferences, I have thoroughly gained the skills necessary to become an inspirational leader in both my school and community. CASC gave me the confidence to open up to other members in my community and work to inspire change.

CASC's motto is "Change the Future." But it does more than that. It changes people's lives.

this organization teaches students lifelong skills that can be used in the profession and personal life - from running an effective meeting, building teams to conflict resolution and communication. They have programs for elementary to college level - from participating to train the trainer. I have volunteered on many levels from conferences, summer camp counselor, speaker and board member.

I have written a review down below, but I can not stress how great and life changing this organization has been for me. CASC gave me a second home and to a high schooler, it is very special. CASC has been changing students' lives and more than that, it gives students a voice and a purpose. CASC has restored hope for many, and it continues to give more and more. CASC will always be my special place, and an organization that has given me hope for success.

This organization is by far the best non profit. I may be biased because of my involvement, but CASC is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am still a part of CASC and I just came back home from YASC. I first went to the UCSB summer camp in 2011. It was the summer before my sophomore year, and I wish I knew about it sooner. CASC means so much to me. It gave me the capacity to love different people and to think about both sides of the story. The idea of being a leader is not only to serve people, but to empathize for another, and take my values and someone else's value to find a common ground. To lead people does not mean to boss them around, but to go hand in hand with someone else to serve a bigger purpose. This is what I learned through CASC. The people in CASC just amazes me and makes me want to go back right after I leave an event. I feel like I am at home when I am around the lovely CASC students and staff. I admire Doc so much and the students on state council am region cabinets. I definitely recommend the non profit to every student in California. CASC is amazing and everyone should be able to experience what I have experienced through CASC because it is life changing.

Being in CASC has given me so much, from the life-long friendships to leadership skills and increase in confidence. Before CASC. I didn't know where i was heading and I didn't know much about myself, personally. CASC forced me to step outside my comfort zone and face challenges that I never would have faced alone. It has taught me that team work and trust are essential to any successful organization. The skills that i have learned and gained from CASC will be beneficial to the rest of my life.

I recently attended the Student Advisory Board on Education and it was truly life-changing. The people I met were intelligent, motivated, and passionate about education reform. I had never before gone to such a conference where us high school students were able to make a difference, and even advise adults, and being able to participate in this conference made me feel extremely accomplished. It was a one of a kind experience working with youth from all over California to draft proposals for the State Board of Education, and it is an experience that I will never forget.

Would not recommend. Organization is mismanaged, outdated in its practices, and grossly over-priced.

CASC has helped me develop as a student, citizen, and leader. In my position on CASC's State Council, I have gained experience that I know has taught me skills that I will apply for the rest of my life. The people that this organization has given me the chance to get to know are phenomenal.

In the spring of 2009 I found out about a nonprofit organization that hosted local leadership conferences throughout the school year and I heard about one coming up called the California Association of Student Council's Summer Camp. I seemed interested at first because of my friend's comments about his attendance the year before. So I signed up for a scholarship in order to attend the conference and I got it. After going through Summer Camp at UC Santa Barbara through Track 1, I found out that I had the potential to do more than just get good grades, so I decided to join the Region Cabinet. After joining this organization I learned to come out of my shell by stepping outside of my comfort zone and helping others realize the potential they have. Today I continue to stay involved within the organization by attending this past Summer Conference(Track 2), the Staff Development Program, and soon in November by attending the Student Advisory Board on Education which is one of the only opportunities where students get the opportunities to present proposals to the State Board of Education. Last but not least I would like to thank all of those who participate in this organization for keeping the statewide movement going by empowering youth to take action. - JMH

When I attended my first CASC conference in the summer of 2007, I was an incredibly shy, insecure freshman in high school who thought she had literally no place in the world. At the end of my four days at UCSB Summer Camp, I was a changed person. I knew that, as a leader, I had a purpose, and I had finally found that purpose. Through CASC, I have found myself, I have learned to believe in myself, and I have been able to shape myself around one of CASC's core values: the power of the youth to change the world. Because of CASC, I have been inspired to change my community, and to fight for student rights, and representation in our education systems. CASC provides pathways for students who want to have a voice, who want to hone their leadership skills to be the best they can be, who want to make lifelong friendships. After four years of being involved in this incredibly organization, I am a completely different person than I was on the first day of Summer Camp in 2007. I can honestly say CASC has changed my life for the better.

It's hard to put into words what CASC means to me. It has changed my life. I went into the organization as a timid and extremely insecure person and left much less timid and far more confident. It allowed me to see that I have the power to make change and it gave me the skills to do so. It changed my perspective on the world and has affected my life in every way. I would recommend it to any person from any background. It's an amazing organization and you'll meet some of the most inspirational, intelligent, and genuine people out there.

CASC changes people's lives on a profound level by giving young students the opportunity to be real leaders in their communities. Their leadership training seminars and summer camps covers content that most corporate CEO's have yet to grasp and in ways that makes sense to even junior high kids. What is most unique about CASC is that the entire organization is run by these same students. Students are the camp counselors, run the logics of the conference, serve as the governing body and even develop new leadership curriculm. When I worked with CASC I had the opportunity to meet with world leaders, travel around the world and make a difference in people's lives everyday. Those experiences have helped me in every facet of my life. When I served in the military fighting in Iraq I used CASC principles of sharing and giving to help win the hearts and minds of the local Iraqis. By giving small gifts of kindness (called warmfuzzies) to the local kids, the number of bomb strikes on our patrol dropped dramatically. When I returned home and started working for an advocacy organization for veterans, I used CASC's project planning and problem solving tools to address serious issue facing our nation's veterans. Using CASC's project planning arrow and tools for reaching agreement I was able to shepard the passage of the largest increase in veterans education benefits since WWII (over $70 billion). None of that would have been possible without the tools I learned through CASC. CASC is more then a great nonprofit... it is an amazing nonprofit.

My first experience was at Stanford Summer Camp 2008 in which I was a Track I delegate and completely new to CASC. Admittedly it was a really overwhelming experience with all the curriculum taught as well as the high expectations counselors have on you to participate and be respectful. Yet, despite these set backs that I encountered in my first experience, through continued exposer to the organization I grew to love and appreciate what the organization did and what I could contribute back. By staffing in year conferences, going through SDP to be trained as a summer camp counselor, and then going through Track II, I would say that it was money and time well spent. Every moment I learned, grew, and achieved at levels I had never expected. As an inherent skeptic I found this organization surprisingly refreshing from other leadership organizations I have come in contact with. It has been such a pleasure that I pursued the prestigious positions on the State Council. Now as a member of that group, I truly feel that the benefits from being associated with this organization stem not from what you get from CASC but what you can give back due to what CASC has taught you.

CASC is and AMAZING organization that has changed my life. I have learned to love people for who they are and what they contribute to society. I have met so many wonderful friends through CASC and we all share the same love for improving the California Education system. At CASC, not only do you learn practical leadershiip knowledge such as project planning, problem solving, and team building, but you also learn a lot about yourself which in turn makes you a better leader for it. I will always remember the "CASC-high" and strive to feel that powerful for the rest of my life. CASC is a one a kind organization that all students should have an opportunity to experience.

CASC is an amazing experience. I'm sure that plenty of reviews have already raved about the one-of-a-kind experience that this organization offers. It is true. Strong friendships are formed on so many different levels and it seems everyone manages to make a deep connection that lasts far beyond just one conference. I am a very upbeat person in general but I feel that my smile gets twice as big every time I am at a CASC event because I enjoy myself so much. I definitely encourage any student who is interested in community involvement, governmental voice, or just leadership in general to attend any CASC event.

CASC is a great organization dedicated to its mission of training student leaders and empowering youth. It showed me how to make a difference in my world and fostered my growth as an individual. My year as ASB president wouldn't have been as successful without the skills I learned from CASC. I've been re-elected for a second term! CASC is rather like a wave that picks you up with its energisers, drowns you in its curriculum, and returns you to the beach with a roar

My experience with CASC was, quite frankly, life-changing. Looking back, I only wish I got involved with CASC earlier than I did. I was a delegate at summer camp my first year, and I was so motivated by the staff: I couldn't believe that the organization was run entirely by students. I returned the next year as a rising h.s. senior, hoping to be a counselor myself; although that didn't work out for me, I learned a lot about unconditional service for something I am passionate about while I served on the A-team. For me, CASC is a reminder that we can all be the change we want to see happen. Through CASC, I have been practicing not judging others-- through CASC's staff development program, I have met people whose qualities I want to possess as well. I've always agreed that the world would be close to perfect if everyone went to CASC.

CASC has really changed my life in ways that I never thought possible. It is amazing because it is almost all student run, and that has a way of touching youth that teachers, parents, and other adults can rarely accomplish.

My experience in CASC started when I became involved in the student governing body of the organization. In different programs, especially the CASC summer camps, I had the opportunity to learn helpful leadership skills that I would never be able to learn at school. CASC has also reminded me of the value of the education we receive. In addition to all of these great knowledge, I've met many wonderful people who are involved in this organization.

I'm in my first year of college now and can very easily say that CASC is the best thing that could have happened to me. I was a very average student and a very average person and didn't really know how to do much and really hadn't done anything of substance. I was very insecure with myself and with other people and in general was unhappy. CASC changed that. After my first conference (SABE 08)--it sounds cliche, but I really was empowered to do things, to put myself out there and just do what I thought was right. The day I got back from that conference I got involved in my region cabinet and from then on I took literally every opportunity I could to be more involved in CASC. That year as a delegate I learned more about myself, about people, about working with people, and about accomplishing goals than in all of my other experiences combined. I was fortunate enough to be able to staff those same conferences the following year and found them incredibly rewarding. The delegate experience is amazing, but pales in comparison to how great it is to be a part of the team planning for and running the conferences (which is why I took 78 days off from school just so I could do more with CASC). CASC really taught me all I think I really need to know about myself and about life and even when I am at my most cynical, I'll always be able to use what I used as CASC as a guiding force in my life. Besides my individual experience, I had a chance to meet some of the most incredible people and make who I know will be my best friends for the rest of my life. I've said it before and I'll say it again: solely for my own benefit, I'll be as involved as I possibly can at every stage of my life and know I won't be as happy without it.

My first CASC experience was at a Region 2 meeting back in 1988. It was so great to be around other students wanting to make a difference in their schools and communities. I wanted more! I went to Chico and Santa Barbara summer camps and was even more excited to learn meeting & organizational skills and what kind of leader I wanted to be from other students my age. Coming from a very small town, I did not have too many opportunities to learn what a diverse state we live in. I became more a confident leader but also learned who I wanted to be. I had the wonderful opportuinty to become a counselor and later a gamma (Counselor's counselor). I was invited to facilitate with other organizations and also travelled to Russia to work with our sister organization there. I continue to be involved with Alumni activities and remain in contact with many of the amazing people I met 20 years ago.

The first CASC summer leadership conference I attended as a high school senior was magical. I was student body president of my high school, and had no idea that this one week camp would truly touch my life in so many ways over the upcoming years. I speant ever summer during my college years working the summer camps. I was a counselor, then counselor trainer. I worked with the most incredible group of high school and college students during these summers. We taught skills that would benefit so many managers in the work place today. CASC empowers students, and inspires them to make changes at their own school and in their communities. It is a positive force for change. I also had the incredible experience of joining the CASC team at the first US/Soviet Youth Summit in 1988 when we traveled to Russia, Finland and Washington DC to meet with world leaders.

Almost 20 years ago I attended a CASC summer camp as Sophomore Class President for my school. The experience and the people were so impressive that I knew I had to become more involved. Over the next two years I served as a Regional President in San Diego and then the State Vice President. I found myself in cities all over California teaching leadership concepts, giving keynotes, participating as a US Youth Representative in Brazil or the Global Earth Summit. While my friends, teachers and principle sometimes wondered what I was actually doing missing all that school, my parents and I were keenly aware of the live skills I was gaining and the one of a kind experience that was shaping me. I had to maintain good grades to get into a strong college while balancing daily tasks of helping to run an organization. Turns out in "real life" you have to be able to multi-task and be very good at your job, juggle a family, friends, giving back to your community, etc. I know that CASC provided some foundation skills and experiences that make me a successful executive at a large global consulting company and mother of three.

CASC is an exceptional organization. It provides a look at what society can be when individuals take the time to build and develop their leadership skills and are pushed to put them to use in positive ways. The conferences and trainings are gateways to meeting individuals from every corner of the state of California. It is an organization that offers individuals the opportunity to grow by providing clear, detailed and precise feedback. It also exposes students to a variety of extremely valuable leadership models and best practices. More than a student council organization, CASC actually brings people together, builds strong and fruitful alliances and pushes individuals to work their hardest for the good of their community. After traveling much of the globe, meeting individuals from every walk of life, political background and moral viewpoint, I can say that no other set of experiences has better prepared me for life than my times with CASC. In addition, many individuals whom I met through CASC remain in my life as excellent friends and colleagues. I cannot say enough about the value and impact that CASC has had on my life. I know that many others would say the same. I look forward to hearing about the great strides CASC makes as an organization in years to come.

I will never forget the moment I walked into my first CASC Conference. It was a room full of new faces, loud cheers and people passionate about leadership! Because of that common passion, we instantly became family! At that moment I realized what CASC is about. It is not just a student run organization; it is the voice of youth in California. What I have gained from the CASC experience has been immeasurable. CASC gives you the opportunity to explore issues affecting the world, lead and empower others, learn unique leadership tools, work toward improving the California School System and work hands on in the legislation process! I LOVE CASC! :)

CASC is the best thing that ever happened to me. Before I attended my first CASC conference, the Youth Action Summit of California, I thought that individuals had no significant impact on the world. After those several days, I realized that I was completely wrong. CASC has inspired and empowered me, as well as given me the practical tools to make change happen. CASC has taught me that there is no excuse for apathy and inaction and that any change, no matter how small, is significant because it influences others around you to change for the better. Through CASC, I have met the most incredible people and have become a better person myself.

CASC gets young people helping young people, seeing themselves as leaders, and acting like leaders in their communities and in their world.

CASC has affected me by giving me the tools, resources, and support that I need to change my life, school, and community for the better. This organization is amazing because it is dedicated to helping all students achieve their personal goals as well as teaching them the tools that are needed in everyday life, such as project planning and conflict resolution. I believe in this organization. They really are changing the world.

CASC is the best organization in the world. It empowers young people to better the world! Yet, it also trains them on the skills they need to make such an impact.

i first went to a CASC camp in the summer of 2008, between my freshman and sophomore year, at the santa barbara leadership camp. i really got into it and ended up joining the region cabinet(region 9 - Los Angeles) for my sophomore year. i had a full schedule the next year, and i wasn't able to get back into casc, until the summer before my senior year, where i went to the staff developement program, regional officers conference, and summer camp, all in stanford for 2 weeks straight! i am currently in region 9 cabinet again, and am loving every second of it.

CASC changed my perspective on being a leader; it taught me that before I improve myself as a leader I also have to improve myself as a follower. Not only does it develop great future leaders, but also great people in general!

The California Association of Student Councils is unlike any organization I have encountered. It has both taught me skills to become a more effective leader and empowered me as a student. Through this organization, I have made numerous friends, been given the opportunity to speak to California lawmakers and politicians, and had a great deal of fun. In addition, I find a great deal of CASC's importance to be placed in its numerous campaigns for the spread of student rights, the implementation of Student Board Members in California districts, and student feedback in schools.

CASC is an incredible organization that has been a rewarding part of my life. I am very happy to be apart of the organization and plan on continuing my role.

Getting involved with CASC has given me the skills, confidence, and support system I need to accomplish anything from implementing a project in my district to leading a group of student leaders in the state. I started in this organization as a freshman in high school with big aspirations but no follow-through. The concrete and implementable curriculum allowed me to prove to myself that I was capable of having big goals AND achieving them. What keeps me in this organization is the inspiration and motivation people leave with to improve their communities and change their communities.

I really enjoyed casc not a day goes by that I don't use there curiculum I love everything they did for me I want to stay invoved in the program I want to become a counsler for casc next summer the best confrence I have ever been to I feel that casc should get 5 stars thank you

The California Association of Student Councils (CASC) gave me a taste of true leadership when I began as Region 2 (of 12) vice president. Since then, my involvement with CASC has progressed exponentially to my current position on State Council. My experiences have consisted of travelling across the state to teach leadership curriculum, drafting and presenting proposals to the Senate Committee on Education, and directing conferences to educate youth leaders. I’ve had the chance to testify for bills in front of the California Assembly Committee on Education and propelled hundreds of peers to call the governor’s office in support of student-teacher evaluations. CASC has worked to bring student board members to multiple districts, spread awareness of student rights, and improve effectiveness of student governments. Perhaps most importantly, I’ve been inspired to take an active role in my education and have motivated others to do the same.