• Subscribe
  • Newsletter
  • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Login
Campus Rec Magazine
  • Sections
    • Facility Development
    • News
    • Operations
    • Programming
    • Rec of the Month
    • Staff Development
    • Well-being
    • Profiles
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • Columns
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
  • Podcast
  • Webinars
  • Education
    • CR Leadership Summit
    • Campus Rec Mastermind Groups
No Result
View All Result
  • Sections
    • Facility Development
    • News
    • Operations
    • Programming
    • Rec of the Month
    • Staff Development
    • Well-being
    • Profiles
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • Columns
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
  • Podcast
  • Webinars
  • Education
    • CR Leadership Summit
    • Campus Rec Mastermind Groups
No Result
View All Result
Campus Rec Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Building Campus Rec Programming that Stands Out

Bobby Dyer by Bobby Dyer
October 17, 2017
in News, Operations
1
Campus Rec Programming
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedIn

One thing should be obvious — campus rec programming is very important. It’s the greatest tool at your disposal for driving student engagement.

Having a modern facility and the most cutting-edge equipment won’t mean a thing if you can’t get students through the doors. You must come up with ways to make your programs stand out.

Vicki Highstreet, the associate director for recreation programming at the University of Nebraska, spoke on the importance of campus recreation programming. “Give the students what they want through creative programming,” said Highstreet.

She also advised campus recreation directors not to be afraid of inventing creative methods for drawing students in, rather than waiting for them to come in on their own.

Have Multiple Campus Rec Programming Options

Nebraska has accomplished high student involvement with many campus recreation programs, including outdoor activities, an aquatics facility and classes, sport clubs, intramural and extramural sports, wellness services, fitness programs and injury prevention services.

EXTRA CREDIT: Here are some of the pros and cons to opening up your rec center to local community use.

Some of the programs even extend their reach beyond campus and into the surrounding community. Outreach programs are for the likes of:

  • High school football teams
  • The Oschner Lifelong Learning Institute
  • Preschool and childcare centers
  • Academic departments
  • Student groups

The department also has eight weeks of day camp each summer with around 150 children attending per week.

But How do You Find the Right Programs?

According to Highstreet, they identify the right programs at Nebraska four different ways:

  1. Which programs are always popular.
  2. Programs from student input and requests.
  3. Trends identified by professionals.
  4. From instructor and leader requests.

And of course, having the right staff in place is key to make all the gears turn. Nebraska staffs its campus recreation programs with trained professionals, a common practice for many universities. “[We value] the high level of expertise and intentional lifelong learning and development attitudes of our professional staff … who are encouraged and supported in their continuous development,” said Highstreet. “They’re staying on the cutting edge of their specialty area and have passion to help students actualize their skill development through recreational activity.

EXTRA CREDIT: Looking to hire? Check out this column by Ben Strunk of NC State University on hiring the best for any position.

At the end of the day, your campus rec programming should be about engaging the students around you. Think about what will encourage them to emphasize health and wellness, and adjust your programs to reflect that goal. Keep your finger on the pulse of your campus and fine-tune your methods based on what the students want.

And how can a recreation department accomplish this?

“Continuous evaluation of the types of programs being offered,” said Highstreet. “Think about their relevance to the clientele being served and how it fits into your overall mission.

Tags: campus recreationfeaturedprogrammingstudent engagement
Previous Post

Is it Who You Know?

Next Post

Using Halloween to Your Advantage

Bobby Dyer

Bobby Dyer

Bobby is a former staff writer at Peake Media.

Related Posts

Bicycle-Friendly
Outdoor Adventure

University of Arkansas Gets Bicycle-Friendly with New Initiatives

August 11, 2022
Eagle Escape
Facility Development

Southern Miss Campus Rec Stands Out with Eagle Escape

August 4, 2022
2023 Summit moderator
News

Jorge Juarez: The 2023 Summit Moderator

July 22, 2022
Shine Well
Programming

Shine Well at Cleveland State Redefines Campus Wellness

July 21, 2022
ECU Campus Rec
Facility Development

ECU Campus Rec’s Fresh Athletics Rebrand

July 14, 2022
Arcade Area
Facility Development

LSU’s Arcade Area Attracts New Students

July 7, 2022
Next Post
Halloween

Using Halloween to Your Advantage

Comments 1

  1. Pingback: What recreation group do I wish I had joined while at Ole Miss? – Rebel Recreation

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn
Campus Rec Magazine

The premier business resource for college and university recreation centers.

The Current Issue

July/August 2022 Issue

July/August 2022

Browse

  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Media Kit
  • Contact

© 2022 Campus Rec Magazine. Published by Peake Media.

No Result
View All Result
  • Sections
    • Facility Development
    • News
    • Operations
    • Programming
    • Rec of the Month
    • Staff Development
    • Well-being
    • Profiles
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • Columns
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
  • Podcast
  • Webinars
  • Education
    • CR Leadership Summit
    • Campus Rec Mastermind Groups

© 2022 Campus Rec Magazine. Published by Peake Media.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
[adrotate group="26"]
<div class="g g-26"><div class="g-single a-425"><a class="gofollow" data-track="NDI1LDI2LDEsNjA=" href="https://www.usarchery.org/participate/collegiate" target="_blank"><img src="https://campusrecmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/USA-Archery-CR-August-Before-You-Go-Banner-copy.jpg" width="640" height="480"/></a></div></div>
[adrotate group="25"]
<div class="g g-25"><div class="g-single a-424"><a class="gofollow" data-track="NDI0LDI1LDEsNjA=" href="https://www.fawleybryant.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://campusrecmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/FAW-21011-Web-Banner-640x480-D1.gif" width="640" height="480"/></a></div></div>