Fat Camps: Why Wellspring
Camp La Jolla is Different
Wellspring Camp La Jolla is NOT a traditional weight loss camp or "fat camp." Rather, all Wellspring Camps are among the most fun, most effective and most popular summer programs for weight loss. Wellspring Campers enjoy exciting activities, lose weight, and improve confidence and self-esteem in an emotionally-safe environment.
The term "fat camp" is often heard in popular culture, but it's important to understand what makes Wellspring Camp La Jolla different from typical fat camps.
Fat Camps DO NOT Provide Long-Term Weight Loss
Unlike traditional weight loss camps or fat camps, Wellspring Camps continue to WORK when campers go home. Traditional weight loss camps, or fat camps, focus on restricting food and forcing exercise-a practice that works for short-term weight loss, but most often leads to weight gain quickly once the camper returns home.
In contrast, Wellspring Camps are designed for long-term weight loss. Campers return home with the skills and knowledge to continue losing weight independently. And through Wellspring's Continuing Care Program, campers receive ongoing support from Wellspring Behavioral Coaches and online exercise and diet monitoring until June 1, 2012.
Fat Camps ARE NOT Scientifically Based
Your child will very likely lose weight at a traditional fat camp. However, that weight loss is likely to come through a lot of guesswork on the part of the camp directors. A very restricted diet and forced exercise will result in temporary weight loss, but campers are very likely to regain the weight at home.
At Wellspring Camp La Jolla, campers learn a sustainable and scientific program that they can easily continue following at home. There is no guesswork here. The Wellspring Plan is based on years of scientific research by top experts in the fields of obesity and adolescent weight loss. Campers learn everything they need to know about weight loss, including the skills they need to lose weight independently at home.
Fat Camps DO NOT Include Behavioral Change
Wellspring Camp La Jolla organizes its program around changing behavior over the long-term. Sports, activities and diet are all part of an overall clinical design to teach new behaviors and habits. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a core element of the Life Coaching program, with Masters- and Doctoral-level Therapists working in campers four times per week to make sure that they integrate their camp lifestyle into a long-term healthy lifestyle.
At fat camps, this focus on behavioral change does not exist. Campers lose weight at camp, regain it at home, and return the next summer to lose the same weight. There is little done to address the reasons why campers are overweight and what skills they need to overcome those barriers.
Fat Camps DO NOT Involve Families
At Wellspring Camp La Jolla, we understand how important family involvement is in campers long-term weight loss success. So we invite families to attend a two-day Family Workshop as part of the camp experience so that they can be better prepared to help their child upon the return home. Indeed, many parents see significant weight loss and health improvements themselves following their Wellspring experience. And as an added benefit, families receive a $300 Family Workshop Award for sending at least one family member to a Family Workshop.
Fat camps do not have the focus on family involvement because their focus is not on long-term success. Families are often not welcomed to participate in camp activities and are not given significant training to help campers when they return home.
When making your child's summer plans, consider the many differences between traditional fat camps and the integrated program at Wellspring Camp La Jolla. If you would like to speak with an adolescent weight loss specialist to learn more about what differentiates Wellspring from other programs, call us at 866.364.0808.
