Families lose weight and get healthy together

At Wellspring, we understand that having the support of family is a vital component of campers’ long-term weight loss success. Experience shows that when families provide a supportive home environment, including role modeling healthy eating and activity, campers are significantly more likely to maintain or continue weight loss after camp.

We also understand that many parents aren’t sure of the most effective ways to support their child’s weight loss, and that one or both parents may be struggling with their own weight issues.

For these reasons, we integrate families into the Wellspring Camp experience, including Family Workshops offered during every camp session.  Involving the family in the Wellspring Plan creates outcomes that should encourage and inspire every member of your family who is concerned about weight loss:  In family surveys, 95% of parents indicated that when a child attended a Wellspring Camp, others in the family lost weight as well—15% of these families lost more than 25 lbs while their child was away at camp.

The two-day Family Workshops, held at the end of camp and hosted by Wellspring clinical professionals, allow families to learn the science of the Wellspring Plan, participate in weight loss activities, enjoy our delicious low-fat, low-density diet, and learn to shop and cook in ways that support their camper’s healthy new lifestyle.

We believe so strongly in the importance of family involvement, that we provide an extra incentive: the full cost of the Family Workshop ($300) will be refunded if at least one family member attends. 

Elements of the Family Workshop include:

• Important information about the science of weight gain and weight loss—including information about fad diets, the low-fat vs. low-carb debate, and the role of both biology and environment in weight gain.
  
  
• Parenting to promote healthy weight loss: Letting go of your role as “food police” and motivating children without using food as a reward.
  
  
• Using the Wellspring Plan:  Parents receive self-monitoring journals, calorie counters, and pedometers, and then set goals and commit to self-monitor and journal over the duration of the Family Workshop. This helps them understand important elements of Wellspring's behavioral change program.
  
  
• Family sessions with Wellspring clinicians.
  
  
• Culinary and nutrition demonstrations and presentations.
  
  
• The Family Workshop concludes with the development of a plan that promotes a smooth transition from Camp to home.

In addition, we encourage family members to use our Continuing Care Program to support their child and to further their own weight loss goals.  Continuing Care lasts until June 1, 2011, and we offer the program at no additional charge to family members who wish to use it.  Campers who successfully complete the Continuing Care Program receive a refund of the full cost of the program ($600).  For more information about Continuing Care, click here.