Meet Cassie Rochel: Leading the Next Chapter of Camps International USA

We’re excited to announce a new chapter for Camps International in the United States — and at the heart of it is our newly appointed General Manager, Cassie Rochel.

Cassie brings an inspiring mix of leadership, resilience, and global experience to her role, and we couldn’t be more excited for her to guide our U.S. expansion.

From the Court to the Camps

Cassie’s journey to leadership is anything but ordinary. A Minnesota native, her foundation was built on the basketball court, where she played as a Division I Team Captain for the University of Wisconsin–Madison before going on to a professional career that took her across Romania, Hungary, Greece, Australia, and Japan.

Representing the U.S. as the starting center in Japan, Cassie learned first-hand the value of resilience, teamwork and cross-cultural collaboration. These experiences shaped not only her career but also her leadership style: people-focused, determined, and motivated by the power of connection.

Building Skills Beyond the Game

After basketball, Cassie built her career leading large-scale operations, managing multi-department teams, and mentoring future leaders. She also gained entrepreneurial and client-focused experience, building partnerships and growing market presence in competitive industries.

Together, these chapters of her career have equipped her with a diverse skill set that makes her uniquely suited to lead Camps International USA.

Why Cassie + Camps = The Perfect Match

At Camps International, our mission has always been to inspire the next generation through immersive travel, meaningful community work, and sustainable impact. Since 2002, we’ve worked with 55,000+ students from 1,000+ schools, contributing over 400,000 hours to conservation and community-led projects around the world.

Cassie shares this passion.

Fueled by adventure and a passion for making a difference, I’m proud to be part of launching Camps International in the U.S. As a Minnesota native with a deep commitment to empowering young people, I’m excited to work alongside an inspiring team to create transformative travel experiences that not only shape students’ lives but also drive meaningful, sustainable change in communities around the world.

Cassie Rochel, U.S. General Manager

What This Means for U.S. Schools and Students

With Cassie at the helm, Camps International USA will bring more opportunities for students to:

Take part in hands-on school expeditions across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Contribute directly to community development and conservation projects.

Engage with curriculum-aligned resources that connect classroom learning to real-world impact.

Build resilience, empathy, and leadership skills that last a lifetime.

Looking Ahead

Cassie’s leadership marks an exciting moment in our journey. With her background in global teamwork, leadership, and youth empowerment, she’s perfectly placed to help Camps International thrive in the U.S.