Contrary to popular belief, Summer is actually a great time to program and build community! Most of you do not have as many residents to work with, so your programming efforts will be different, but this is a great opportunity to build community and lay the groundwork for a strong residence life program in the Fall.

For the Summer, here are some tips & ideas to consider:

• Take advantage of a smaller community and create intimate programs to get residents together:
  • Game nights
  • Acoustic band by the pool (find a local musician)
  • Potluck
  • City & Community events (find out what is happening in your area, and organize residents to go). Ideas include local fairs, concerts in the park, festivals, carnivals, etc.
  • BBQs
  • Weenie Roast & S'mores around the fire!
  • TV & Movie Nights
  • Community service:
    • Adopt a highway
    • Habitat for humanity
    • Volunteer at a camp
    • Participate in a trail or river cleanup
  • You may also be having bigger programs to focus on Summer marketing, but don't forget these smaller type programs as well!
  • Ice cream socials
  • Free concerts
  • Amusement & water parks
  • Go to the driving range
  • Putt Putt
  • Go-Carting
  • The possibilities for the summer are endless!

• Focus on social and community develoment events. This may not the best time to roll out developmental and academic success programming. Save these for times during the year when residents may be more focused on these issues.

• Don't just program on the weekends. We want our residents to stick around, so don't 'train them' that the only time things are happening are on the weekends. Plan events during the week too!
  
  
• Take time to get to know your residents!
  • Since you have fewer residents right now, take this time to get to know them:
  • Find out what programs they are interested in both NOW and in the Fall.
  • Get them involved now! See if your residents are interested in putting together events with you.

• Establish effective communication
  • During the summer, flyers may not be as effective as during the year since residents are coming and going more often. Find out the most effective ways to communicate with your residents:
    • Drop by and say hi! You likely have fewer residents. This shouldn't take a lot of time.
    • Start an email list! Get your residents' email addresses and communicate with them via email. *CAUTION: Use this with care. If you email a lot, they will hit the 'delete key' as soon as they see your email in their inboxes.
    • Use Facebook or other online networking tools

Discuss this on the Team Forums at http://www.campusadv.com/team! Share what you are doing over the summer.