Wellspring New York campers achieve amazing, life-changing results at camp. Fantastic friendships are made, confidence soars, and campers return home with the motivation and positive outlook to meet new challenges. Below are just a few of the success stories from Wellspring New York campers.
Rachel W., Scarsdale, NY
Lost 23 pounds at camp and has continued to lose weight at home.
Wellspring was the best decision that I made! I made friends and learned things that I wouldn't trade for anything. This past summer was a life changing experience. I would recommend Wellspring to anyone who is looking to be healthier and happier and is willing to make a major change to their lifestyle. Now I eat right and exercise and have lost a good amount of weight since camp. When people ask me about the Wellspring program they tend to use the word "diet" and i tell them that Wellspring is more than a "diet," it truly is a lifestyle because, unlike other things I have tried, it's sustainable. I loved my experience at Wellspring! It was the best summer ever!!
Daniella G., New York, NY
Lost 28 pounds at Wellspring New York and continued to lose weight at home.
After losing 5 pants sizes and 74 pounds, I can definitely say that Wellspring changed my life! Wellspring taught me not only dieting and exercising but also exposed me to a whole new lifestyle and way of behavior!
I feel so much better about myself, and more confident of how I look and behave. I'm proud of myself for making the change! It's totally worth it!
Jessica B., Ontario, Canada
Lost 52 pounds at Wellspring NY, with a sustained weight loss of 90+ pounds
HESITANT TO ATTEND SUMMER CAMP AT 19 YEARS OLD…
Having gone through most of my life constantly being on a diet and having my weight yo-yo up and down from month to month I needed help. I needed something that was going to give me my life back, allow me to enjoy the things I liked doing and most of all allow me to truly feel happy again. This is when I discovered Wellspring. Although I was a little skeptical about attending a summer camp at the age of 19 I knew that it needed to be done and so I made the decision to go. That decision was truly the best decision I have made for myself in a long, long time.
A TURNING POINT IN HER LIFE…
Having attended Wellspring for 8 weeks and having lost 52 lbs while at camp I can honestly say that this summer was a turning point in my life. Wellspring not only provided me with the skills I needed to lose weight in a healthy way and keep it off but it also provided me with the self-confidence I needed to find that happy, go-lucky, determined girl that I had always been. All of the staff at Wellspring were definitely very key to my success especially one of my counselors who always pushed me just a little bit harder and believed in me throughout it all. I have continued to lose weight since being at camp and to date have lost 91 lbs. I Know that for me my journey towards my goal weight isn't over yet but I am confident that the tools Wellspring provided me with as well as the determination and commitment I found within myself will allow me to reach my goal. Thank you Wellspring New York, you changed my life.
Sunny I., Stowe, VT
Lost 16 pounds at camp and has continued to lose weight at home.
[Sunny] has done a beautiful job. I have been so impressed with all that she is/has done.
The Sunny that came home was not the Sunny that left. She donated her trick or treat candy to the pediatric floor of my hospital, shares what she has learned, and is so much more physically active.
Again, thank you so much for all you are doing.
Madi H., Chicago, IL
Lost 23 pounds at camp and has continued to lose weight at home.FROM MADI'S PARENTS…
Our many thanks to you and your staff. Madi has the tools, the desire, and success under her belt. She said, "23 down and 39 to go," this morning.
Molly S., Iowa City, IA
Lost 31 pounds at camp and has continued to lose weight at home.
Well, I am back to having control in my life. Since I have left, I have lost about 12 pounds. Currently I am on a bit of a plateau, but I am okay with that since I feel like I am getting stronger. At the beginning of camp I was a size 22, by the end of camp, I was a size 16, and now, I am a size 14!!!! I am in a completely different place than I was before.
LIFE-CHANGING WEIGHT LOSS…I wake up with hope and determination and I know that I can succeed! Plus, all the foods I used to eat, I can't now knowing what the fat content is and such. I keep well under 20 grams of fat a day and exercise frequently. I am very lucky because my friends here at school are super supportive, they workout with me or encourage me and all around are amazing about everything.
Wellspring really changed my life, and very clearly for the better. I don't feel helpless or hopeless about getting the rest of the weight off.
FROM MOLLY'S MOM…
Molly seems to be doing well. John visited her in Maryland for Parent's Weekend the weekend before last and he thinks she looks great. By her report, she has continued to drop sizes. She seems happy and has lots of support from her friends there; they take her grocery shopping and cook a lot together. I am flying out to the East Coast for Thanksgiving to pick up Molly and spend the holiday with my mom in Northern Virginia. I can't wait to see Molly!
I have lost 25 pounds and am getting my 10,000 steps a day. I really can't believe how easy it has been and when I lose eight more, I plan to shift to maintenance.
Thanks again for all you and the Wellspring Team have done for Molly and our family.
- Holly, Mom of Molly
Taylor C., Jewett City, CT
Sustained weight loss of 41 pounds 
My daughter Taylor Chaffee attended Wellspring New York during the summer of 2008. She weighed 206 lbs when she arrived at Wellspring. Today she weighs 165 lbs. Here is a before and after photo to show her transformation. Too bad this photo doesn't show the "inner beauty" my daughter has gained!
Thank you Wellspring for our HEALTHY family & Daughter!
- Michelle C., Mom of Talyor
Blaire M., Syosset, NY
Lost 27 pounds at Wellspring NY, with a sustained weight loss of 60+ pounds
A SUMMER OF CHANGE…
The summer was a life changing experience for me. Although it was a very difficult decision to make, it was probably one of the best decisions because I needed to spend the summer making a difference in my life. I was able to accomplish a goal and that was to lose weight, eat better and maintain a healthy exercise routine.
DEALING WITH CHALLENGES…
I have many memories of camp and I'll share one with you. On the last day the ropes course instructor told us to take a colored index card and write an obstacle that has happened in our lives. We were told to climb up, as high as we could, and drop our card. This symbolized the idea that we were throwing away our troubles, and starting over. I have learned that everyone has obstacles and struggles in their life. No one goes through life unscathed. It's how you deal with your challenges. Most people are afraid of change and I had fears of making changes in my life, but of the personal things I can control, I am not afraid to make changes that affect not only me but also everyone around me.
I was hoping that since I am an Alumnus to the camp, I would be able to return as a counselor for the summer of 2010. I want to be able to show the girls how important it is to stick to the program and how you really can make a difference in your life. I know I did, and everyone around me notices it. I learned to be myself, and become more confident. I was finally able to start over. I went home a brand new person, and was finally able to show who I really was. And to boot, I've lost and maintained 60+ pounds and feel great.
WELLSPRING NEW YORK CAMPERS SAY…
"This program is so helpful, but do-able. It makes you realize that doing all of your hard work really can conclude in an amazing outcome."
"I'm really happy that now I know how to lose weight and stay healthy. I love the Wellspring Plan because it's fun and it doesn't really feel like I'm on a diet."
"I really enjoyed my time at Wellspring. It was so much fun and I am so glad I came. I love all the variety in activities, and all the staff are really helpful and supportive. THANK YOU!"
Parent Perspectives on Wellspring New York
Gillian is doing really well. We're thrilled for her. She's now attending school regularly and has a positive outlook on life. Thank you for your program. I was grasping at straws when I did a Google search for camps (I wasn't even looking for weight loss specifically, just something to boost her out of her slump) and stumbled on Wellspring. It has changed her life and ours as well. I cried after meeting with her Chemistry teacher last week at a parent-teacher interview. Her comments about Gillian and her academic performance were glowing. It was the first time in 3 years I haven't walked out of a school interview not feeling stressed and worried about how we were going to get Gillian to go to school regularly. She looks great and continues to lose weight. Thanks again!!
Catherine H., Stony Creek, OntarioI have great things to say about the program. I have shared this info with several pediatricians. I think Wellspring is awesome. My son is interested in going, but wants the program in California!!! Anyhow, please use me as a reference if you like. By the way, I am a doctor, so I really understand the program from a medical and a psychological point of view.
Rina B., Manlius, New YorkI have lost 12 lbs. while on the Wellspring food plan. I am so thrilled and am continuing eating no/low fat items and writing in my SMJ. This is a wonderful, wonderful program and I would be delighted to be a reference to you and Wellspring for possible future participants.
Susan R., Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
I just wanted to take this opportunity again to thank you and your staff for what you did for Whitney these past four weeks. It is hard to put into words how I felt when I saw Whitney for the first time on Thursday (I am still choked up!). She looked absolutely beautiful! I noticed a change in how she carried herself and her whole demeanor just seemed different. She is so motivated to go to the next stage of weight loss and really seems to have a different attitude toward it.
She is really looking forward to going back to school and seeing the reaction of her peers.
Elyse S., Edison, NJ
Our daughter Alexandra had an excellent experience at Wellspring this summer. Alex says it "changed my life". Alex attended the eight-week program at Wellspring New York this summer and lost 34 pounds. She is 13 years old and 5'5'' and was at 198 when she arrived at camp. She has now dropped to 164. She is already planning to go back to Wellspring next summer to drop to her ideal weight goal of 150 pounds.
Things that have happened since she came home:
- Made the New Canaan, CT Travel Soccer Team after being turned down previously. (No small feat since New Canaan Soccer is extremely competitive and selective.)
- Joined the Norwalk, Maritime Crew Team and is excelling according to her coach
- Keeping an A average
- Now has an active social active life with other 13 year olds.
Alex works out regularly and maintains constant oversight of her portion intake. She counts both her fat and calorie intake. As a family, we have embraced a low fat diet and changed our eating behavior.
Shelley S., New Canaan, CT
Shannon is doing great. When she just arrived from NY she seemed like a different person: better attitude, happier with herself, even though I know that she had a hard time with some of her physical conditions. She was very loyal at writing down what she eats and reading labels, and wakes up early to exercise.
She lost I believe 8 more pounds since she came from NY, in September, and now she is maintaining her weight.
Her behavior is still much more positive and I know she is looking forward to going back to Wellspring next season, this time maybe as a counselor. I know she has been preparing her resume. She will be graduating in spring with a degree in psychology.
I am sure that being in that environment again will keep her motivated to continue being healthy.
Thank you so much for helping her.
Silvia R., Longmont, CO
I cannot tell you how pleased we were with our Camp Wellspring experience this summer- Natalie is trudging along and at least maintaining...it has been the best positive since we first tackled the issue of her overeating. She is continuing to try and is at least somewhat conscious of what a portion size should be. I have raved about her camp experience and put it out there for other struggling parents with overweight kids.
I enjoyed meeting you all and know that you cared greatly for your campers and I appreciate you and your team's hard work.
The Family Workshop was excellent and I commend you and your team for all the efforts there too!
Sheila G.
My daughter attended Wellspring New York in June of 2008 and it was the best investment I have ever made.
I now cook everything low-fat or fat-free. I use to cook everything with olive oil because I thought olive oil was good for you, not realizing how much extra fat I was putting into our diet. I never knew the correct portion of food to give; now I know the portions I served were way too much. I learned to make really delicious fat-free or low-fat versions of everything I used to make and my daughter is very happy with it. In the process, I have lost 10 pounds, my boyfriend has lost 30 pounds and my daughter has lost 40 pounds.
She looks great and can now wear some of her favorite clothes that she saved from the 5th grade that she never thought she'd be able to wear again. This is weight we've all been trying to lose for years and just one weekend at the Wellspring Family Workshop has changed our lives forever. We all wear our pedometers daily and we all get at least 10,000 steps a day at least 5 or 6 days out of the week. My daughter is active in field hockey, softball and bowling and is an honor roll student. She has recently been chosen as part of the student leadership team at her school.
I highly recommend this camp to anyone who has had trouble losing weight. It has saved my child from an unhealthy lifestyle and a life of obesity and I will forever be grateful.
Pamela C., Summit, NJ
Lindsay lost 36-pounds at Wellspring Camp!!Wellspring gave her the tools and skills to control her weight for a life time!! Lindsay has lost an additional 5 pounds since leaving the camp five weeks ago. She has confidence in herself for the first time in years!!! She continues to use her low fat eating plan and exercise.....She is constantly looking in the mirror with a smile! She plans on trying out for the Girls' softball and Soccer teams this year!!!
Wellspring has turned her life around and quite literally may have saved her life. Wellspring, Thank You for giving our daughter back in so many ways!!!!! This was THE BEST investment our family has ever made.
Kim R., Dayton, OH
What a marvelous experience Wellspring has been for our daughter - a combination of information, motivation, and self-exploration. She really "worked it" and came home - after four weeks - more than 20 pounds lighter and immeasurably brighter in spirit and outlook. From her description, it is clear that many of the bright young women who attended were, like her, already well versed in weight control facts and figures. They knew what they needed - a place where they could deepen their knowledge and put it into action. How wonderful that there IS such a place - and that it's a place of such great natural beauty as well. Now our daughter is conveying the knowledge of her "Healthy Obsession" to her family, and continuing on her journey toward fitness and wholeness. Thank you!
Deborah L., New York, New York
My daughter attended Wellspring New York for the eight-week session. Prior to considering Wellspring my daughter had been to hospital based programs, dieticians, and several personal trainers and each outcome was unsuccessful.
In the spring of 2008, our 15-year-old daughter became increasingly depressed, socially isolated and was having little academic success. Every aspect of Lindsay's life was directly affected by her being extremely over weight. She was diagnosed as being borderline diabetic and we became desperate for help.
The Wellspring program has provided our daughter with a life changing focus and perspective, along with the necessary skills to achieve her goals. Her knowledge of the nutritional options, culinary tools and balance of movement and exercise give her an undeniable empowerment that adds to her self confidence and optimism. The additional and unexpected benefit of Wellspring has resulted in her parents' weight loss and fitness. With new found culinary comfort, our daughter has taken over shopping, cooking and counseling us on our wellness. We could not be more pleased with this whole experience.
Patti G., Rye, NY
