Star-Studded Event

The Goal: Contribute to family bonding among the membership of Westmoor Country Club through a Family Campout.

by C&RB Staff (editor@clubandresortbusiness.com)
April 2008
 

Star-Studded Event The Goal: Contribute to family bonding among the membership of Westmoor Country Club through a Family Campout. The Plan: Set up “Camp Little Links” on the golf course where families stayed in tents on a Friday night and enjoyed a cookout, fishing derby, outdoor movie, campfire and many other activities. The Payoff: Nearly 100 campers participated and “had a fantastic time”—participation is expected to double when the Campout is held again this year.

Nothing brings a family together more than a night in a tent together under the stars, as they discuss the strange outdoor sounds or any of the variety of other topics that always seem to occur to people, young and old, when they’re down for the night in a new setting.

Westmoor Country Club in Brookfield, Wis., gave nearly 100 campers plenty to talk about when it staged its First Annual Family Campout last year. The event began on a Friday evening, with families arriving in the club parking lot and Camp Transporters taking them and their belongings to a “Camp Little Links” that had been set up on the junior golf course that is within Westmoor’s 18-hole course.

The families then selected a campsite and worked together to get their tents up, with club staff assisting as needed. “You will find that many have not set up a tent before,” notes Joseph Coan, Westmoor’s COO/GM.

Simple appetizers and a beverage station were provided during tent setup, after which a variety of activities began: group Pictionary, badminton, lawn golf, a “Go Fish” card tournament, and a crafts tent. These were held until a traditional cookout began at 7:30 PM, with Westmoor’s chef making burgers, brats and hot dogs on site. A casual buffet of fresh-cut fruit, baked beans, potato chips and dip was also served, and the beverage station supplied ice water, lemonade, Kool-Aid, soda, beer and wine. Dessert (Rice Krispie squares and other cookies) was also available.

After everyone ate, a fishing contest was held until 9:00 PM in Westmoor’s two fully stocked ponds (worms and poles were provided). As dusk fell, awards were announced for the contest, as well as the “Go Fish” tournament.

Campers were then invited to enjoy a movie that was shown on an outdoor screen, using rented sound equipment. Popcorn was served and families watched together on blankets and chairs on a beautiful summer night.

Working closely with Westmoor’s grounds superintendent and staff, the club’s event coordinators had then arranged for campers to make and enjoy campfires using stacked firewood in a very large fire pit. Prepared marshmallow sticks and s’more supplies were provided, and benches were placed around the fire, for campers to sit and relax and enjoy their moonlight snacks and the fire.

From 7:00 to 8:00 AM the next morning, the camp transporters helped families get their belongings back to their cars, after which a simple breakfast buffet was served poolside, with coffee, juice, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes, fresh fruit and Danish. The pool was open and staffed two hours early, so campers could have a private swim before the pool opened to other members.

“This event enhanced our club’s operation by contributing to the family bonding of our members,” says Coan. “The members and guests had a fantastic time; we expect our numbers to double for this year’s campout.”

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