Campers talk about their fun and life-changing experiences

What do Wellspring campers say about their experience?  They lose weight, get in shape, have fun, and make lots of new friends. 

Here are only a few of the hundreds of positive comments we’ve received:

I was a camper this summer and have to say that it was the best summer of my life. I went for eight weeks and it was hard being away from home for so long but in the end it was all worth it. I can't express how much this experience has created such a new, different, and better me!

Wellspring was so much fun because of the activities, the thrill of learning how to surf and accomplishing it! Rock climbing a real rock and reaching the top and thinking you had enough strength and energy to accomplish this! The best thing was being able to actually help with the food; it made me realize what was going into the food and when I got home I remembered most of the recipes.

Wellspring was the best thing that has ever happened to me and to this day I still wish I was there. At the end of two months I had lost 27 pounds and went from 217-190! Since I’ve been home I have lost another 8 pounds and feel great! The aftercare program is amazing. It helps me so much. I'm on it every day! Wellspring helped me change to have a healthy lifestyle. 

- KD, Age 18

I have always had issues with eating.  After being diagnosed with depression in seventh grade I was desperately searching for coping skills that would make me feel better.  My best escape became food.  I was quickly diagnosed with binge eating disorder and after a year of consuming at least double the calories I should have, I gained a significant amount of weight. 

Not knowing what to do, I freaked and once again, looked for an easy way out.  Five months later, I was a full blown bulimic and only ten pounds lighter than I was before.  Then a miracle came into my life.  Wellspring NY Camp, a weight-loss camp for teenage girls, sent a promotional DVD in the mail.  I watched it and my mind was made up.  Three months later I was on a plane to upstate New York with one hundred and seventy strangers.  It quickly became the best six weeks of my life!

At camp I realized how much I enjoy listening to the stories of girls struggling to make it through their teenage years.  I thrived off giving advice and doing anything I could to help the girls around me, which actually proved to be the best form of therapy that I could have received that summer. 

And so my path in life, which I always thought was so concrete, had changed.  While I still want to retire to become an elementary school substitute teacher, my main career in life will be to help teenage girls at a therapeutic boarding school.  I am changing my major from early childhood education to social work, in hopes that I will become educated enough to help other adolescents who are struggling like I once did.  That is, until next summer rolls around. 

-CE., Age 17

Going to Wellspring Camps was GREAT! From kayaking to water aerobics and everything in between, Wellspring Camps will help you get closer to who you want to be. It all starts from the beginning of the ladder, and the walks, and then you climb higher and higher until you’re doing things you’ve never known ever existed!

- DS, Age 14

Throughout most of my life, I have been struggling with my weight. I have always been one of the heaviest people in my group of friends and in my family.

Yet my parents have always been behind me 100%. They believed in me and kept telling me that the key to success and weight control is to eat right and workout, but I never listened. All I wanted was a quick fix, I really feel that before coming to camp I tried everything to lose weight and be happy with myself.

But while at camp, I have learned that with a healthy diet and exercise I really can lose weight. (My parent’s were right) In addition, before I came to Wellspring, I believed that a product could change how I felt about myself, but I have learned that feeling better about me has to come from within.

Looking ahead into the future, I can tell that the road may not always be smooth, but I know I can get through it with the support of the friends I have made here. I am confident that for the rest of my life I will be a long-term weight controller. I have been given the tools here but now it is my turn to take them out of my bag and put them to work.

- CS, age 17

I had been overweight for my entire life. No matter where I went, I always felt like the outcast, because of my size. I felt as though it held me back from everything in life. By high school, things got dramatically worse, and I just stopped caring. I became depressed and started to have awful bingeing episodes. When my parents found Wellspring Academy, I was skeptical. I had tried other weight loss methods which didn’t work, so what would make me believe this one would be any different? To make a long story short, I decided to enroll at the Wellspring Academy of California, and there is no doubt in my mind, that it is the best decision I have ever made in my life. I ended up losing 111 pounds from September 2006- May 2007.

After finishing there, I went to Wellspring, and it was another great experience that I will never forget. The staff was as excited to be there as the campers were and there was never a dull moment. I tried tons of new activities I never thought I would have the chance to participate in such as rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking. All of the girls there were so supportive towards one another and the staff always pushed you to do the best you could do. I had a great stay and because of the help from Wellspring, I am now a LTWC (long term weight controller).

I am excited now to live my life and feel just like any normal person should.  Thanks Wellspring for the summer of my life!

-ND, 17

I was someone with no motivation, low self-esteem, and someone who did not believe in themselves. I always knew that I was overweight but never tried to do anything about it. I did Weight Watchers and Atkins, but all my weight loss efforts were half-motivated. I convinced myself that I was ok with being overweight.

I could never follow through and come up with a plan to lose the weight. I never put together the connection between what I was eating and my lack of exercise with weight gain. I was living in a world of denial where nothing was my fault and I was magically fat. Then I decided to come to Camp Wellspring.

My dad told me that I was going to a weight loss camp, I did not really know what to think, but then I looked at the website I was excited to come. Through coming here I have now become confident and out-going. I was able to embrace this program and become aware of exactly what I am eating and how much exercise I am doing. I am confident that this is a program that I can continue when I leave. Most people do not get the chance or have the strength to change their lives, by coming to wellspring I have been given the chance, and with the help of everyone here, especially my CBT group and BC, I have developed the strength to make the change.

I now have a new mindset. I have the support of my friends and loved ones, and I believe in myself.  I will not accept becoming lazy or falling back into old habits. Because of everything I have experienced and learned, I am a new person, and as that new person all I have to say is watch out world.

- MD, age 20

You never expect to change; it just rather happens. One day, you are sitting down, oblivious to the differences between the new and the old you, when, out of nowhere, it hits you…you have changed.

For me, looking in the mirror and accepting the fact that I’d become not just fat, but fat in such a way that it was a tangible threat to my health was one of those changes I just refused to acknowledge in any concrete, proactive sense. Instead, I cropped photos to make them more flattering, bought clothes that best hid my pudgy self and avoided situations where I would have to confront the sorry state of my physical fitness.

Choosing to come to camp meant acknowledging that I had a problem, what I would call an addiction to food and an irrational dislike of exercise.  I will not deny that ignoring the problem is significantly easier than trying to fix it; however, the ultimate reward is certainty worth the struggle.  I cannot deny that the program is working and that I have changed. My clothes used to be tighter, walking up hills left me more out of breath, I had not been to the gym in nearly a year, and importantly, I was ignoring reality. Armed with tools to fight my battle, I am ready to face the situation and tackle the challenges ahead. I will no longer turn a blind eye, as much as I sometimes desire to do so.

- AB, age 18

The last 3-5 years my weight had finally arrived at the point where it was detrimental to my fitness and more importantly to my health. It also affected my emotional being. This year I felt down because I did not like the way I looked and how it was difficult to find clothes to fit. I did not want to go out with my friends because I was so self-conscious. I realized I did not like who I had become, so I decided to do something about it. The decision to come here was probably one of the easiest I have ever made.

While here at camp I have remembered how much I like sports. I would be dragging people out to play football, tennis, and others activities. I have also discovered a great deal about myself and gained in self-confidence and self-esteem. I have acquired habits such as self-monitoring and getting up in the morning to exercise.

When I get home, I am looking forward to playing sports and going to the gym because not only have I lost weight but also my fitness has improved a great deal. I am also hoping to continue this journey of self-discovery that I have begun.

I am lucky in that my family will support me.  As I read this here today I feel confident for the first time about continuing my weight loss and becoming a long-term weight controller.

- CP, age 22

As I sit and reflect on my life before Wellspring, I have vivid images of hating the way my body looked, and how I let myself get out of control. People see my pictures and tell me how much my face has thinned out, or how skinny I am getting. I am shocked to be hearing these things because I was always the chubby girl that was made fun of.  At Wellspring, everyone is in the same position.

Through by friends here and my support groups, I have learned many valuable traits such as accepting my body as a temple I should not pollute with trashy foods. I am slowly but surely becoming more extroverted and that is a giant step for me.

As for the future planning, I might struggle; however, I will always have back-up from my friends made here. There are million possibilities, and I am ready for every single one of them.

- AP, age 20

For the past 7 or 8 years of my life, I have struggled with weight loss and have tried numerous diets, none of which worked. Being unfit and overweight has always been frustrating and coming here to Wellspring has certainly changed my outlook on many things including fitness, good eating habits, and life in general. Wellspring isn’t some magical pill, or quick fit, it’s a real long term program that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

In my past, I had no idea how to handle eating well and self-monitoring in a restaurant with many fattening food choices but now I know how to deal with it. I have come to realize my biology is different from everyone’s back home and changing my lifestyle to stay healthy is definite a must. But going home with all the knowledge I’ve attained and knowing I really can do this program for the rest of my life has prepared me for the trip back home and living with long term weight control for the rest of my life.

- OH, age 14

As a baby, I was cute but I do not remember much. I was average size throughout the 4th grade. In 5th grade life changed and it still hurts me today. I gained weight, and today I am still over weight. I was not average any longer. My mom began noticing it and she mentioned it often. She was more worried about me than I was. After grade school ended, I went to middle school and I was the FAT girl. It hurt me in ways that I did not even know about at the time. When my mom suggested this camp or just weight lose camp, in general I was refusing to go. Now that I am here, I love to lose weight. At home, I would not be doing anything. I am glad I am here and I cannot imagine going home and not self-monitoring and not exercising everyday. I am looking forward to the future and becoming a long-term weight controller.

- KL, age 16

When I was 8 years old, I began gaining weight. Eating was my way of dealing with both good and not so good things in my life. By the time I was in 7th grade my weight had become a real problem, and then as a freshman in high school, I decided to do something about it. This Wellspring program has been, and continues to be, one of the best things that I ever did. It has truly changed my life.

My goal here at Camp Wellspring is to continue on my journey to becoming a healthier person, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I look forward to working with the encouragement of my family and those around me to reach this goal. I plan to continue taking this program day by day giving my all to become a long-term weight controller.

- SL, age 15

I do not know of a time in which I was not fat or unhappy with my body. I think I was just born fat, like most babies, and stayed that way.  In the 5th grade, I became insecure, about not only my weight, but also about whom I was. Soon into the year, every little thing I did revolved around what others thought of me. Now I am proud of being my own individual person, all I wanted was to fit in and be like everyone else.

My mom has always expressed her worries about my weight, but last summer she took it up a few notches and decided that I should go to a weight loss camp. Luckily, I chose Camp Wellspring, which is not a weight loss camp, but a long-term weight control camp. This is also a place for me to improve my self-esteem, which has slowly gotten better over the years.  I am losing this weight for myself and no one else. I will always carry with me, along with calorie king, what I am learning here, including a better self-esteem. I will complete my weight loss goal when I leave and once I know how it feels to love my body. I will never throw that away, because I already know how it feels to be fat.

- CM, age 16

When I was younger, I was always running around, playing and staying physically active. I was a skinny little girl who loved to be outside, and I always ate my vegetables without having to be asked. It has only been recently, in the past 5 years, that my health and physical activity have gone down hill.

In the middle of 7th grade, I would spend hours watching TV and eating whatever food was around, even if I was not hungry. At home, I could tell that I was slipping into a bad cycle, but I was not doing anything to get myself out of it. Instead, I was sneaking food into my room and I was not feeling well, whenever my friends wanted to play. My family always tried to make me feel better about my weight, but all it made me do was settle, instead of fixing the problem.

Over the years of high school, I always felt like I was being judged. I never wanted to face my problem until this year when shopping for my junior prom dress. I almost broke down in the stores because nothing would fit. I ended up in a gorgeous mandarin orange colored dress, in a size 18/20. I found myself completely embarrassed the entire night. It was that night that I decided I was not going to cry over how I looked, but I was going to do something about it.

In the future, I will continue this program. I have said this before about lots of diets that I have been on, but let us face it, Camp Wellspring does not teach us a diet, but shows us a lifestyle.

- CS, age 17

Every life has different stages and an infinite amount of decisions. Mine is no exception. As a child, I was carefree and daring.  However, by the time elementary school ended, the size difference between their bodies and mine got in the way of playground fun. I found myself retreating into my thoughts and closing off from the people around me. I stopped exploring and walked with by head down to avoid looking people in the eyes.

Now I can smile when I see my face in the mirror because I know that being overweight does not define who I am. Thanks to Wellspring Camp, it no longer fits the definition of who I will become. This summer I faced a crossroad, one road continuing down the path I was on, the other one leading me here. Shyness and restlessness are behind me while self-confidence and acceptance are ready to take their place. The future will find me happy, healthy, and still going strong. Looking back on my life, I felt like Mr. Frost who once stood before “two roads diverged in a yellow wood”. Nevertheless, unlike him I do not need to wait 60 years to know that my decisions made all the difference.

- MG, age 16

Being here at camp has exceeded all expectations that I have had for this experience. Through the constant support of my new family here, I have been able to push myself to heights that a month ago I would never have dreamed possible. On the physical level, I have lost weight at a steady, healthy pace. On an emotional and mental level, I have become a completely new me. I am not sure whether I have completely changed, or if I have always had this part of me hidden inside myself. Whatever it is, I have set out on the path to realize who I am. This experience has been so fulfilling. From CBT and BC to kickboxing class, I have found new things that open me up a little more everyday.

In the future, I plan to continue this program. I know that the friends I have made here will be life long support whenever I need it. Next year, I will be off to college, where I will have the opportunity to meet new people and try new things. After my camp experience, I will come out more open-minded and honest with myself, and armed to face the real world with the skills that I have learned here at camp.

- ZS, age 17

Before I came to camp I was really sad and angry at everything and I hated myself. It was horrible now that I look back on it; I mean sure it has only been 2 months but this camp has helped me in countless ways.

I can honestly say at this moment I feel so blessed that I got to come here. I am so happy that I lost this weight and I can’t wait to lose more.

I don’t know what will happen in the future but, I do know I will stick to the program and continue to lose weight!

- KA, age 12

Why exactly did I come here?  I was worried about my health. I did not want to be dead at 16 years old because I was fat. I say fat because I would rather be called fat than obese. I do not just want to be another statistic. I do not want heart disease.

The best thing I got out of camp was the friendships I have made with campers, counselors and dogs. I love my friends here. They are the only thing that gets me through the rough times. They are my family.

I will know I can stay healthy. I can exercise and enjoy it. My whole family is now trying to get healthier because of me. They have said I am an inspiration to them, which makes me feel great. I know it is possible and I am going to do it.

- PB, age 15

Before I came to camp, I ate because of boredom, depression, sadness, even happiness because I could. Even if I were not hungry, if there was food I would eat it.

I came to this camp because I really believed that this program could help me and it can. I love this camp so much and I do not want to leave because here everyone can act the way they want to act without worrying about people making fun of you or judging you and I like that. This camp has changed my eating and exercising habits of course, but also my attitude towards myself.

I really think that I can do this program at home because my mom is going to do it too. I know she will support me and if there is a problem that prevents me from doing this, she will sort it out so I am confident.

- EH, age 12

In the past, I had always told myself that I was always going to be overweight. That nothing would ever help. That people were just afraid to get to know me because I was “fat”. It felt like I would never “fit in” I was always self-conscious. I now know that there is a way to stay healthy and lose weight. I find people just like me. Struggling with the same problems. There are people who care and want to help. I had finally found somewhere, where I did not have to worry about the past. I know now healthy way to look at others and myself.

In the future, if I run into a roadblock, there are people I can talk to, people who will understand and will help. I know now how to get through criticism and there are people who will always want to be my friend.  There will always be my friends from camp. I will never forget my summer at Wellspring and what it has done for me.

- MC, age 14

Before coming to camp I was a pig all day long, no energy, and I slept in and watched TV.
Here at camp I once thought that I could not do anything, I also thought that it was a fat camp but it’s not. I have had a great time and have lost 18 lbs.

In the future, I will continue to work on my program.

- AS, age 11

I was a camper this summer and have to say that it was the best summer of my life. I went for eight weeks and it was hard from being home away for so long but in the end it was all worth it. I can't express how much this experience has created such a new, different, and better me!

Wellspring was so much fun because of the activities, the thrill of learning how to surf and accomplishing it! Rock climbing a real rock and reaching the top and thinking you had enough strength and energy to accomplish this!  The best thing was being able to actually help with the food; it made me realize what was going into the food and when I got home I remembered most of the recipes.

Wellspring was the best thing that has ever happened to me. At the end of two months I had lost 27 pounds and went from 217-190!  The aftercare program is amazing.  Since I’ve been home I have lost another 8 pounds and feel great! It helps me so much. I'm on it every day! Wellspring helped me change to have a healthy lifestyle. I can’t thank you enough for helping me change my life!

- K.D., age 13