Empowering students to make positive change in their schools and communities.
About us
The Ohio Association of Student Leaders (OASL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Ohio’s middle and high school students identify and develop their leadership capacity to make positive change in their schools and communities.
Over 70 years of working with students in Ohio
Created by students, teachers, and administrators back in 1953, we continue to design and facilitate our high-impact educational experiences specifically for the developmental needs of youth leaders in partnership with educators and schools across the state.
Year Round Programs
Utilizing the skills and talents of professional educators and student facilitators from diverse schools and communities, we host a variety of leadership programs throughout the calendar year.
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OASL's signature program is our Summer Workshop. These 5-day, 4-night programs are offered for both Middle Level (middle school) students and Senior High (high school) students. Participants join us on a university or college campus for a leadership "summer camp" experience, complete with large and small group experiential learning sessions, fun and games, personal reflection opportunities, and friendships that will last a lifetime. Participants often describe OASL summer workshop as the best week of their summer, and one that helps them better navigate life at school, at home, and in their communities. Alumni often credit their summer workshop experiences as pivotal in their young adult development and relevant far beyond their time as participants.
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Our overnight weekend retreats provide students with the chance to dive deeply into a particular leadership theme while enjoying outdoor activities in both large and small group settings. Retreats are typically offered in the fall and winter, with fun and games to match the season (and weather!). We partner with educational camps across Ohio to host our programs in cabins and/or retreat centers.
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OASL brings one-day leadership programs to various regions across the state throughout the school year. At the beginning of the fall, we host a one-day program at either Cedar Point (Sandusky) or King's Island (Cincinnati), where students work together to complete fun leadership challenges in the morning, then explore the amusement park together in the afternoon. We also offer one-day workshops specifically designed for middle school student leaders featuring keynote speakers and small group activities. OASL is constantly developing new one-day programs to diversify our offerings and better meet the needs of our member schools.
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OASL State Conference is hosted each year by a selected Ohio middle school or high school. The entire local community comes together to welcome students and advisors from OASL member schools for a 3-day, 2-night program that includes both leadership development sessions and OASL business meetings. Features of State Conference include peer-led mini workshops, election of our Executive Board representatives, keynote speakers, and our annual school and student awards ceremony.
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Visit this link to access OASL member partnerships and supporters. These organizations offer further opportunities for our students!
We believe that leadership is a process between diverse individuals contributing their best to help a group, organization, or community thrive.
If we want to make real change, we need to develop the leadership capacity in everyone, not just those with access to formal positions. OASL is an organization for anyone who wants to contribute to the leadership process and be an advocate and agent for change.
Our experiential learning curriculum focuses on both personal and group development, including topics such as group dynamics, diversity and inclusion, self-esteem, authenticity, visioning and goal setting, organizational skills, collaboration, and community-building.