News and Public Information Office
Glos Center
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
(513) 529-7592
(513) 529-1950 fax
newsinfo@muohio.edu
Glos Center
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
(513) 529-7592
(513) 529-1950 fax
newsinfo@muohio.edu
News Release
"A Miami moment with ... Ruchelle Dunwoody"04/26/2012 |
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Ruchelle Dunwoody works primarily with two sets of clients as director of intramural club sports and summer camp for Miami University's recreational sports center. The first set, ages 6-12, reminds her of her childhood days; and the second set, ages 18-22, brings out the child in her. Dunwoody ends spring semester gearing up for summer camp and planning for fall intramural sports. Q: What can children look forward to this summer at camp? A: We plan our camp activities around three basic themes — athletic, artistic and interpersonal — meaning that we provide opportunities for children to move, create, and learn. Activities stress analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as fun. Our program runs for eight weeks beginning June 11 for children ages 6-12. During the week, activities can range from swimming to arts and crafts and on Fridays, we end the week with a ‘Wow’ trip. This summer‘s trips include COSI, Coney Island, and the Cincinnati Zoo. We work to give them a whole body and mind experience. Q: How do you develop programs for this active age group? A: It starts with reconnecting to my childhood. That’s what drives me. I loved camp growing up, and continued to work in camps through my college years. I graduated from Miami in 1997 with a master’s in sport organization and management and was thrilled to begin working at the rec center in 1998 as assistant director. I tap into what I loved doing growing up, and I then create those opportunities for our campers. Last summer, we collaborated with Miami’s culinary support center. Students toured the center and learned about healthy snacks. One boy loved it so much that he went home and told his mom he wants to be a chef. Q: Are your counselors Miami students? A: Yes, most of them are Miami students. Geremy Bardon, our assistant director, works with the eight counselors and handles the day-to-day operations of the camp. They are great with the kids. I remember one counselor who was surprised by the attention campers would give him when they saw him at the grocery store or a sporting event. I love it when our counselors can see how much of an impact they really have on the children. Q: Your other role at the rec center caters to the college-age student. How do you tap into their interests? A: I watch what they create, what’s hot and see how we can connect. I am always looking for those ‘diamonds’ that are new and different. This spring, we held a Battleship Tournament fashioned after one that I learned about at the University of Alabama. Students battle each other in canoes with water buckets and shields. Our aquatic staff served as our test group. We tweaked the rules, developed a video and posted to YouTube. It got 1,000 hits and on the day of the event, we had 14 teams register, 60 student participants. I think this can become another Miami tradition. Q: What’s new coming this fall? A: This fall, we plan to kick off a Quidditch league at the rec. Miami currently has a club with over 300 members. Many of them travel for competitions. My league would be local for those students who don’t want to travel. I also will introduce a lacrosse league and a table tennis league. I am always looking for ways to get more and more students involved. Related Media
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