Why Campers Choose Wellspring instead of “Fat Camp”
$550,000. According to recent research by Wellspring, this is the estimated cost over the course of a lifetime if the weight issue does not change, even if the obese individual has health insurance. These costs include lost wages (obese person dies 10 years earlier than healthy weight person, on average), lower income (obese person makes less than healthy weight person), and greater risk for medical issues such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
For many families considering Wellspring Camps, the decision process is:
- Why is it so important that my child lose weight this summer?
- Can’t I do this at home?
- Will my child go?
- How do I find a good fitness and weight loss camp versus a fat camp, boot camp or diet camp?
We'll try to address these questions here. We also encourage you to call us at 1.866.364.0808 to discuss your child’s individual situation, or chat now with an admissions counselor.
1. Why is it so important that my child lose weight this summer?
Research is very clear that nearly 90% of overweight children and teens become obese adults. Scientific studies show excess weight has serious medical effects, including a heightened risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and many forms of cancer. Research also reveals that overweight children, adolescents and young adults typically have lower self-esteem, and in many cases clinically significant levels of depression.
Hoping that the problem will go away on its own is not a realistic approach. And waiting is likely to result in various medical, emotional, and/or social problems.
Hoping that the problem will go away on its own is not a realistic approach. And waiting is likely to result in various medical, emotional, and/or social problems. Over the years Wellspring has helped thousands of kids lose literally tons of weight and keep this weight off. The fitness and weight loss results Wellspring campers achieve in a short period of time are outstanding, but what is even better are the changes to self esteem, mood, and outlook—these changes are transformative and inspirational.
The time to act is now. Research shows that the longer the issue is left untreated, the more difficult it is to resolve.
If you're wondering if you can do this at home, the question is—have you tried to help your child lose weight previously? How has this worked? If the answers are "yes" and "not very well", then a proven, comprehensive, and integrated weight loss program like the Wellspring Plan is something you should strongly consider.
Overweight and obesity are complex physiological and behavioral issues, exacerbated by environmental factors. A professionally-managed, comprehensive and intensive weight management program is able to act on all issues at once, and in most cases help campers to make a dramatic change. Simply buying a gym membership, going on a diet or hiring a personal trainer will not have the same impact, because the changes are nowhere near as comprehensive and intensive, and because these changes aren’t getting at the underlying behaviors.
For many children, teens, and young adults, the decision to attend weight loss camp is extremely hard. Giving up part of the summer, being away from family and friends, and making lifestyle changes are not things every young person is willing to do. But we know from our experience working with thousands of families that parents play the most important role in making this decision. Once parents understand how to approach their child on the topic, it is usually an easy process.
For specific suggestions on how to talk to your child, click here.
Our experience has also shown that once kids arrive at camp, they almost always enjoy themselves. To read about the camp experience from campers themselves, click here.
Many campers who come for 4 weeks stay longer – if space is available – because they are having so much fun and success. If you’d like to talk through the decision process, please contact a Wellspring admissions counselor at 866-364-0808 or chat live now.
Don’t wait to help your child learn a healthy lifestyle.
4. How do I find a good fitness and weight loss camp versus a fat camp, boot camp or diet camp?
Besides enjoying new experiences, having a great summer, and making friends, the goal of a good weight loss camp is to lose weight and get in shape – for the long term. The differences between an effective weight loss camp like Wellspring and a fat camp, boot camp or diet camp are many:
Wellspring is scientifically based, includes behavioral therapy from licensed clinicians to help change behavior, and is focused on long-term healthy living. At fat camp, campers are put on strict exercise plans and restrictive diets, lose some weight, and often put it all back on (and more!) when they return home.
When choosing a weight loss camp for kids and teens like Wellspring, you want to know how campers lose weight (and how much) and if they keep the weight off over time. If the program does not study and report these findings in reputable scientific journals, it’s fair to question why they don’t.
Below are some questions you should ask Wellspring or any weight loss camp you are considering.
1. What was last year’s average weekly weight loss at Camp?
2. What are the camp’s long-term results? What percentage of campers maintain or continue weight loss at home?
3. Who designed the weight loss program? What are their credentials? Is the program design scientifically based?
4. Is counseling or behavior modification offered? By credentialed therapists? If not, what distinguishes the program from a fat camp or simply a diet camp?
5. If so, do the therapists work full time at the camp during the summer? Does each camper have an individual therapist assigned to him or her? Do therapists continue to work with campers after campers return home?
6. How are families involved?
7. Do the campers have fun? Do campers get exposed to different types of activities?
8. How large is the Camp? Is it a manageable size where the Camp Director knows each and every camper?
9. Can we talk to several families of campers who have maintained or continued weight loss from last summer?
10. Does the camp demonstrate improvements in self-esteem and overall well-being?
For additional information about what makes Wellspring such a remarkable program, click here.
