What is Rec Camp?
A conference created for you
Rec Camp is unlike any other conference in the USA. It is an immersive conference exploring community recreation center design and operations. Through tours and workshops, participants will learn about innovative community recreation architecture, from planning to programming.
BRS sponsors and leads this event because we feel strongly about sharing knowledge and inspiring other forward-thinking Parks and Recreation professionals to think about the future. C.A.M.P. is an acronym; below, we break down what each letter stands for and the why behind it.
C = Community
“C” stands for Community because the first thing the conference values is getting to know each other. On the first night, a reception is held for campers who come from all over North America. Put your pin on the map to let everyone know where you are from. At the end of each tour, you connect directly with the staff running the facilities. Learning directly from your peers, this is the time to ask questions and explore new management tools. Lastly, observe how each center is designed with unique community characteristics in mind. How can you change the perception of your community through architecture and thoughtful design?
Campers have some fun on the bus.
A = Architecture
“A” stands for Architecture because we tour nine community recreation centers. The facilities range from newly opened to 25 years old. The buildings vary from smaller centers serving a select neighborhood, to a fieldhouse, and a supercenter designed to be an all-day destination. We also explore a variety of communities: rural, suburban, and urban. Talk directly to your counselors who are architects specializing in community design. The building program, whether a remodel or new construction, will impact staffing, programming, and potential cost recovery goals to name a few. Campers will be challenged to notice and discover how different design elements affect a space as we walk through and experience each facility. How can you maximize participation in your facility?
Tours start early in the morning!
M = Management
“M” stands for Management because operations encompass all thoughts and decisions regarding the design and planning of an indoor recreation center. Find out how many FTEs each center has. Learn about attendance, admission fees, and out-of-the-box programming. Talk directly to Recreation Supervisors, Directors, and Superintendents about their unique management challenges and opportunities. On the first night, we share exclusive details from our Benchmarking database in the Facility Operations Workshop. What questions do you have for the operators and owners?
A Q&A with operators will follow every tour.
P = Planning
“P” stands for Planning because the knowledge you gain will help plan a strategy for the next steps in your own community. On the first day, campers learn the importance of understanding the market and demographic profile in which a facility operates. Planning takes time but is critical to recognizing and achieving the goals of any community project. On the last day, we take you through a role-playing exercise that quickly teaches teams how to plan with constituents’ needs in mind and rightsize a building program to match given resources. How will you engage with your community to meet their needs and wants?
Interactive workshops will shed light on the planning process.
Rec Camp started in 2018 to continue the teachings of the Colorado Facility Design and Management School. Since then, we have “graduated” more than 152 alumni!
More information, along with a FAQ is at rec-camp.com.
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