For the past two summers, UT’s RecSports has hosted Kidcam Summer Camp during June, July, and August when facilities are less busy. As students travel home, study abroad, work summer jobs, complete internships, or are otherwise engaged in mostly off-campus activities, the department has pursued a fun and simple way to generate revenue. But the core of this choice is much more than filling space—it’s an illustration of RecSports’ ongoing commitment to effectiveness, stewardship, and service.
Stewarding and leveraging university resources to maximize the student experience is a key aspect of the Division of Student Life’s operations, including supporting revenue-generating departments that offset costs like RecSports. The department operates on a zero-based budget model, using tactics like cost recovery for outreach, programs, and general operating costs.
While most of the department’s resources and facilities are offered at no additional cost to students, it does charge all members for programs like adventure trips and personal training sessions. Sean C. Basso, former associate director for RecSports, notes that charging for these options creates accountability for the service itself and results in higher attendance than similar opportunities that do not incur a fee.
During summer months, RecSports facilities like TRECS and the Fields at Sutherland see a 90% drop in student participants, which creates capacity for other uses like hosting Kidcam without negatively impacting the student experience. UT is the first school in Tennessee and the first school in the SEC to partner with Kidcam, a historic organization established 50 years ago and based in Louisiana. Kidcam offers camp experiences that happen over 10 weeks in the summer, with flexible registration to meet the week-by-week needs of various families. Host sites also have flexibility and can choose a revenue share model or a facility rental model, depending on their financial needs.
Basso notes that hosting the Kidcam Camp didn’t burden facility staff as they were able to support the camp amid their day-to-day responsibilities. It also enhanced the environment of RecSports spaces, helping support a positive environment for summer staff and participants during a lull. At UT, facility student supervisors work in tandem with camp staff and can even work for Kidcam as a camp counselor. RecSports’ student employees reported feeling energized by the noise and buzz of campers all summer long.
RecSports employs 465 student staff who are supervised by 28 full-time staff or graduate assistants
38 campers served on average each week over the summer
“This camp is also a great way we are working to serve the community of Knoxville and East Tennessee, as we know that finding summer childcare can be challenging for many families,” says Basso. UT faculty and staff also receive discounted registration for their children, which creates another positive benefit for the campus community.
Basso notes, Kidcam Camp introduces a new generation of potential students to Big Orange Country, creating positive experiences and memories of being on campus for younger students who might be future Vols.
Hosting Kidcam Camp in the summer is just one aspect of RecSports’ commitment to community partnership and managing resources well. The department also contracts for special events that have a national audience as well as year-round with local non-UT entities for day use of recreational facilities. When most UT students are attending classes, local high schools and middle schools that need athletic facilities and the One Knox Sporting Club, which hosts youth and adult programs, all contract to use UT facilities.
When it comes to Student Life’s commitment to effectiveness and stewardship, look no further for a solid example than RecSports. Whether it’s Kidcam Camp, partnering with the community, or practicing budget consciousness, the department is a leader in responsibly and creatively stewarding university resources to maximize the student experience and student learning.