Summer Camp Visitors Enjoy Baylor's Campus

by Katie Brooks, student newswriter, (254) 710-1961

Baylor University finished another successful summer program season hosting more than 60 sports, Christian, music and professional groups to campus.

Summer programs help showcase the campus to prospective students and promote the university among its constituencies, said Susie Johnston, associate director in the office of University Host.

"These programs and camps further allow the university to maximize the utilization of its facilities during summer months, while at the same time generating revenues to help cover fixed costs associated with these facilities," she said.

The University Host team welcomed 51 youth groups and 10 adult groups, including 27 youth sport camps and 17 Christian youth and adult groups. In total, nearly 10,000 visitors participated in summer camps on campus. The attendance boasts a 93.5 percent return rate for groups from the 2005 summer program season.

"Overall attendance increased, even though our camps and conferences were down five percent," Johnston said
Feedback from the programs has been positive, said Johnston. The office of University Host received letters and e-mails from several camp directors and participants who felt that, "the professional leadership of the University Host Staff is just the best." Other visitors said, "The media needs were flawless and the dining service hosts were very friendly and patient."

Several camps had successes in distinct ways. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp spent a week at Baylor and experienced 52 salvations from campers. The LaDainian Tomlinson Football Camp, hosted personally by the NFL star, gave more than $15,000 in scholarships to area high school students, Johnston said.

The University Host staff is beginning to plan the 2007 summer program season. They already have 12 new groups interested in holding a camp at Baylor next summer. The office is also preparing an online survey to give summer program directors the chance to offer more specific feedback. Johnston hopes this will make future summer camp programs "more efficient, effective and first-rate."

For more information, contact Johnston, office of University Host, at 710-4101.