Founded in 1946, DECA is a competitive international business club where participants compete in events categorized into certain business industries such as food, retail, marketing, and general business knowledge. DECA prepares students to be future leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management, not only at the high school level but also at the college level and beyond.

In competitions, a majority of students compete through roleplays and a 100 question multiple choice exam pertaining to the category of their choosing. For role plays, students are given a ten minute preparation time to read a scenario about a business, write notes, and create a solution to a problem. After the ten minutes are up, participants will be paired with two judges who will listen to the student’s presentation of his/her solution. Their score, also out of 100, is based on how well they addressed specific ideas, terms, and concepts, called “Performance Indicators” or “PIs.”

DECA members are not just limited to competing in the roleplays and tests. They can also compete by writing a research paper on a business, with the topic changing every season. This year’s topic is about improving a business’ “SoLoMo” promotion campaign, prompting students to create a plan to increase their given business’ presence on social media.

In Camas, DECA is a principle club that continues to inspire many students to head into the business world. This program provides students with a quintessential experience in business that few clubs at CHS can provide. Contact Mr. Johnson if you’re interested in joining for the next school year or check Camas DECA out online.

Guest Author: Jeff Liao