Lights Out, Music On: Reimagining the Family Campout

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

This idea has enhanced the Club’s operation by adding another high-demand, family-focused experience to the annual event calendar, strengthening overall member engagement and retention. The Family Campout Night has become a reliable sell-out event, reinforcing the Club’s reputation as a destination for memorable, multi-generational experiences and providing added value beyond traditional programming.

Operationally, the event has encouraged greater cross-department collaboration and creative use of Club spaces, while setting a scalable framework for future family programming. Its success has also informed the development of other events, allowing the Club to replicate popular elements and continue expanding a portfolio of family-friendly, revenue-positive experiences that resonate strongly with members.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

The Family Campout Night was implemented through cross-department collaboration and intentional programming that transformed the Club into an immersive, overnight family experience. Using existing Club resources, the event flowed from dinner and activities to camping and sunrise breakfast, while high-impact additions—such as the PJ Dance Party led by the Fitness Manager—created excitement without significant added complexity. Staff participation played a key role in energizing the event and strengthening connections between members and the team.

Member response has been overwhelmingly positive, with the event selling out annually and becoming a highly anticipated fixture on the Club calendar. The Kids PJ Dance Party was especially well received, generating such enthusiasm that members requested it be added to the Kids Halloween Party, demonstrating the program’s lasting impact and adaptability.