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Scott Derrick
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Inside Furman is published monthly during the school year by the Furman University Department of Marketing and Public Relations. For story ideas, e-mail John Roberts, editor.
Coordinating
summer camps and conferences a year-round job
As Furman's coordinator of summer camps and conferences, I am often asked the same question when the weather turns cold. "What are you doing here in the winter?"
Little known to most people on campus is that the Office of Camps and Conferences works at full steam during the academic year to prepare for nine weeks of summer visitors.
The yearly cycle begins in mid-August, as soon as the last summer group leaves campus. Evaluations are tabulated, statistics are assembled and disbursed, and meetings are held with campus building and service coordinators to discuss the results of the evaluations and any problems that may have arisen.
Marketing to fill empty housing spaces and meeting facilities goes on throughout the year. Confirmations are sent to groups that Furman can accommodate for the upcoming summer, along with a request for their facilities and services needs. Throughout the year, campus tours are given to group leaders interested in having conferences or camps on Furman's campus.
In January, each campus and building coordinator is sent a list of facility reservations needed by summer groups. Negotiations with various departments ensue. Meeting facilities are reserved. Facility and service agreements are sent to each confirmed group, detailing the facilities reserved for them and the services that will be rendered.
The Guidelines for Camps and Conferences brochure is revised, printed and mailed to all on-campus and off-campus summer group coordinators. Continuous communication occurs between summer group coordinators and our office.
Many details have to be worked out for each group. In May, student assistants are interviewed and hired. Equipment for summer is ordered (camp bracelets, chart stands and pads, golf carts, promotional material). Finally, one week after Furman's graduation, our summer visitors start to arrive.
The campus is alive with children's voices and activities such as music, swimming, computers, sports and academics. Youth and adult groups use the Peak Performance Ropes course.
Adults enjoy the many tennis courts on campus and the golf course. Adult conferences meet in the University Center, Charles Ezra Daniel Memorial Chapel, and in classroom buildings throughout campus. They have many catered meals, meeting breaks, picnics, and even pig roasts. Most attend a Lakeside Concert on Thursday evenings. North Village and the residence halls are full, and the dining hall is an adventure when the various groups come together for their meals.
By the time the last group checks out, over 8,000 visitors have had the opportunity of staying on Furman's beautiful campus. Of these, many will return to campus as Furman students.
Marie Burgess is Furman's coordinator of summer camps and conferences.