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.
Financial Wellness
Financial wellness was the newest addition to the curriculum. This aspect often is an overlooked element in summer camps, but it is an important aspect of wellness that should be nurtured from an early age, DuBord says. These themes are integrated into all aspects of camp, including cooking lessons, arts and crafts, and the selection of the snacks that the campers eat throughout the summer.
The facility does not have a concrete measurement for the effect of the program, but the staff says that by introducing each camper to as many components of wellness as possible, the program has positively affected the children’s lives. In comparing this year’s health and wellness programming and its effects on the campers to last year’s programming, camp staff noted a decrease in bullying incidents and in disciplinary actions.
The eight-week summer camp runs from June through August and is open to children ages 6 to 12. Camp enrollment includes 180 to 200 campers during each two-week session for a total of 800 participants. Thirty-one percent of the parents of campers are university alumni, while 20 percent are faculty or staff. The return rate is around 85 percent of campers with approximately 30 new campers each year. The camp works with a budget of approximately $300,000 in revenue and yields between $100,000 and $150,000 profit for the Department of Wellness and Recreation.
