What is in this article?:
- The 2012 Best of the Best Health Club Program Winners
- BEST NEW MEMBER INTEGRATION PROGRAM
- MyPath Program Generates Revenue
- BEST NONMEMBER PROGRAM
- Fast Results
- BEST BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROGRAM
- Effective Engagement
- BEST NEW MEMBER SALES PROGRAM
- Sales and Marketing Done Right
- BEST COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM
- Citywide Results
- BEST CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
- Financial Wellness
The Best of the Best Awards recognize the best programming at fitness facilities in the United States and provide concrete examples of programs that have proven, successful results. The entries were rated by a group of judges from within the fitness industry who ranked each program based on its goals, goal attainment, innovation, budgeting, member or nonmember participation, marketing, program effectiveness, and the club’s follow-up efforts.
Follow the links to the right to read about each of the winning programs for 2012.
BEST CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
University of Miami Herbert Wellness Center, Coral Gables, FL
The Mini Canes Recreational Sports Camp organized by the Herbert Wellness Center at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL, strives to be more than just a sports camp. Many recreational camps for youth focus solely on physical activity, but Mini Canes addresses health and well-being for physical, intellectual, social, emotional, occupational and environmental wellness, according to Rhonda DuBord, camp director and Herbert Wellness Center associate director. By addressing these components throughout the summer, Mini Canes gives campers developmental opportunities that will help to enhance their quality of life as they get older.
“Being a rec center, our facility is not as busy in the summer, so we had a lot of time and wanted to serve as a community resource and opportunity for our staff to have a place to send their kids,” DuBord says.
The summer camp first opened in 1996 as a sports camp and developed over the years to encourage a healthy lifestyle and habits by incorporating a guide to nutritional, physical and financial wellness for kids. This year, the camp theme was called SuperLife. During the two-week sessions, campers took part in a variety of recreational and educational outdoor and indoor games and activities while learning how the components of wellness can lead them to a super life. Each week of camp featured a sport of the week in addition to theme days, special events, and educational wellness programming.
At the beginning of the summer, campers received a SuperLife booklet, which included a variety of activities on nutritional, physical and financial wellness. Camp staff and counselors incorporated various aspects of each wellness component in daily activities during camp hours, while encouraging campers to take their booklets home to work on activities with family and friends. Topics included bullying prevention, healthy eating, environmental wellness, stranger danger, stress management and more.
