Wellspring Family Camp Success Stories

Wellspring Family Camp offers families the opportunity for dramatic change. Greater motivation at school and home, better communication between family members, healthier and happier relationships, increased energy, and a healthier lifestyle that every member of the family is proud of—these are just a few of the changes that families report to us.

Collin R., 12 years old, Indianapolis, IN.

Lost 16.25 pounds in 2 weeks at camp and an additional 11 pounds at home. Collin's mom Krista lost 16 pounds at camp and an additional 17 pounds at home.

I feel like a different person. Before Wellspring, my only activity was pretty much walking back and forth to the car before school. I feel like I can do more now, like there's not as much holding me back from what I want. I can go out and play basketball for an hour, but I can also go out with a group of people and not feel embarrassed.

My mom's been a lot more confident just walking out the door in the morning. And she's had a lot more energy since we got home from camp. I wanted this for her even more than I wanted it for me, because I was worried that she wouldn't be okay, that she wouldn't make it.

I am very proud of her for losing all that weight and I'm also pretty proud of myself.

From Collin's mom:

We really needed almost like an intervention. I felt a lot of shame and I didn't really talk about it with friends or family. At first I wasn't sure we would be able to do this at home, but by the end of camp I felt a lot more confident. We get out there and walk almost every morning and eat a very low-fat diet. And it actually felt liberating to get rid of all of the high fat food in our house!

One of the huge benefits I never even considered was that I haven't had a migraine since we left camp. It feels incredible to have lost the weight and I'm so inspired by Collin.

To see media coverage of Krista and Collin's Wellspring success, click and of the links below:

Here's what other families say about Wellspring Family Camp:

Laura Lee has done great since our return from camp. In fact, she weighed this morning and has lost another two pounds! She is down to 102. The school year has been a lot better, too. She's still doing dance but is now interested in basketball and has tryouts tonight. The weight loss has brought out a more athletic side to Laura Lee!

Thank you for everything - that was truly the best experience of our lives!

» Linda T., Birmingham, AL

My husband and two sons arrived at Wellspring Family Camp not knowing what to expect. All I knew is that we had tried to develop a healthier lifestyle many times on our own without lasting success, so I knew that we needed help. And help is exactly what we got at Wellspring's Family Camp! From the moment we arrived, the camp staff was completely focused on and dedicated to ensuring our family's success in overcoming the unhealthy and destructive patterns we had formed. Learning and changing together as a family has been the key to our family's success!

I highly recommend that you bring the whole family even if, like our family, some members don't have a weight issue. It is much easier to function in your new, healthier lifestyle when everyone in the family is on board. Change is challenging, and old habits die hard, but Wellspring Family Camp equipped our family with the knowledge, the tools, the experience, the encouragement, and the support we needed to become a healthier and more vibrant family, both individually and together.

Three months after our week at camp, our family of four has collectively lost over 75 lbs, and my son and I are still losing! Wellspring Family Camp is one of the best things we've ever done for our family, and it's definitely had lasting, positive effects on us all. Many thanks to the Wellspring staff for your dedication and commitment to helping us change for the better!

» Carole C., Kennesaw, GA

I had been trying for several years to get my family to eat better and lose weight. My husband and I had tried many diets and even some fasts. I ended up feeling like I was a bad mother because we all just kept getting bigger. I happened to find Wellspring on the Internet when I was looking at family camps.

I brought a very reluctant husband and two boys to the Wellspring Family camp for a week. WOW! We worked hard that week learning the low fat lifestyle and exercising. The counselors, staff and other families became our extended family. Once we got home my family was empowered with knowledge and I was no longer the food police. My husband has lost 50-pounds, each of my boys have lost 21 and 13 pounds and I have lost 26.

We are still going strong and Wellspring has changed our lives forever!!

» Tracy B., MD, Martinez, GA

Wellspring Family Camp was a wonderful experience! The other families became like extended family to us and to one another. Parent discussions were honest and open and very helpful. Children formed many bonds and lasting friendships. Parents and children alike learned the merits of accountability and affirmation. The children had a lot of fun. Counselors were knowledgeable, professional and fun. The lectures were extremely informative. Everything was done in a positive, encouraging way. The activities were not overwhelming but steadily paced enough to reach the goal of at least 10,000 steps. That level of activity together with the low fat diet produced the predicted results perfectly.

Each member of our family lost about the same percentage body weight. All in one week! The meals were fabulous. We went home equipped with all the tools and resolve we needed to maintain this healthy lifestyle and control weight for life.

» Alison E., Olmsted Township, OH

Our family has continued on the Wellspring Plan and we have a combined family weight loss of over 75-pounds (16 for my son, 26 for me, 30 for my husband, who didn't even attend camp)! We are all within the normal range for BMI!!!!!!!! We really love Wellspring and totally believe that it works. The best part is that no one feels like we have been on a diet or can't wait to go back to the way we once ate! Thank you.

» Angela G., Wichita Falls, TX

We are so grateful that we found Wellspring. We felt that there was no social support for our daughter, Daniella in our community. We, her doctor, and her nutritionist had been trying to help her lose weight, but without the support of friends and peers, she was not able to make any significant changes in her habits. We had been the "food police" and it really put a strain on our relationship fighting about food all the time.

Going to Wellspring Family Camp where all the kids were doing the same program together, the counselors were "cool" and she had a blast, got us off to a great start. It is a very positive environment, the food is good and the friendships we made are meaningful.

Coming home and having the self monitoring and behavioral coach support helps keep the focus on what she learned and less on fighting with her parents about food. She is proud of her accomplishment so far and we are even more so. Making healthy choices when those around you at school and parties are not is not easy, but so far we are all up to the challenge. We are now trying to educate pediatricians and other children's professionals about Wellspring. We hope it will be easier for others to find out about it when they need it.

We had a fun time and are so glad we went!

» Ellen K. and Jeff R., Wilmette, IL

Halee and I had a wonderful, life changing experience at Wellspring Family Camp this summer. From the moment we arrived, I knew our lives would be changed forever. I have never met such a caring, concerned and accepting group of people before. Not just the staff, but the other families who were attending camp with us, touched our lives and hearts forever.

Halee and I were both very nervous about attending camp and really had no idea what to expect (neither of us have ever done very well outside our "comfort zones"). I was willing to step outside "my box" to help Halee and show her that if I could do this for her, then she certainly could too. It is amazing the things you will do for your children. The program just made sense to us and was very easy to understand and follow. The group sessions and the sessions with Ilene, our BC, were very helpful and really made me think about and reconsider some of my parenting techniques. Halee and I were very nervous to go home and try this all out; we were both nervous about whether or not we could really do this at home on our own.

The food has just become a way of life for us; there isn't anything bad in our house, so even if someone cheats it isn't nearly as bad as it used to be. Also, we are always trying to figure out new and different ways to get our exercise in. My son, Colby (who just turned 5) is always asking if he got in enough exercise and how much fat is in his meals. Halee and I recently joined Curves since it is getting colder now and harder to be outside all the time. We both really enjoy it. My husband Troy is on the program and has a pedometer now as well; he has lost 23-pounds since we have gotten home from camp- the whole family is involved. Halee has lost 18-pounds to date and I have lost 31.

We all still have a ways to go, but are all still very excited about our new healthy lifestyle. Halee and I also signed up for our first 5K walk on October 22 for breast cancer awareness; we joined the Curves team. Thank you so much to all of the staff at Wellspring Family Camp for making such a difference in our lives!!

» Jennifer S., Worthington, OH

Today, my daughter & I did the 5K Run for the Cure in Orange County. It was very touching. I was very moved by the experience. It made me think of camp, miss everyone tremendously, and reflect on what a big difference Wellspring has made in my family's life. Kirsten & I have continued to walk and do resistance training 3 times a week. We have all been eating healthfully not only at home but when we go out to eat! Everyone has been on board. My husband has been running on the treadmill everyday. He has also been doing resistance training 3 times a week.

My son has been great & supportive about everything too. One day, while we were walking together, he kept asking me about Wellspring. He was amazed by the changes we made as soon as we got back. I really can't thank you enough. I couldn't have done it without you. Please make sure your staff knows how grateful we are for our camp experience. We will always remember you all.

We went to Wellspring to lose some weight. We came out with much more than we ever expected. Not only did we lose weight, we learned a lot about our capabilities, our ability to stretch ourselves to reach our goals, and more importantly, formed some lasting friendships. Most of all, the bond with my daughter that became stronger from our Wellspring experiences is something that is irreplaceable and priceless.

» Cecile L., D.D.S., Fullerton, CA

Wellspring Family Camp was a truly life changing experience for all of us. To date, our family has lost a total of over 100-pounds. We continue to follow the program and the after-care program has been very helpful. The camp itself was a great combination of activities, classes, nutritional information and fun!

My son Jon has lost a total of 40-pounds and feels like a new kid. He is more confident and feels so much better about himself. Words can't express how grateful I am to the Family Camp staff - they were terrific. The important thing about Wellspring is its commitment to each family. If a family is thinking about a program for long term weight -control this one is the best.

» Mike, Sandy and Jon H., Clifton Park, NY