Family investment for amazing changes
In a 2009 survey of all campers’ parents, 97% said they would recommend Wellspring to a family member or friend. This number reflects what so many parents tell us—amazing changes happen in lives of Wellspring campers.
You gave us our son back…how do you put a price on that? You should see him! He is energetic, happy, outgoing, confident, works out daily, looking forward to school starting next week. He is at his goal weight and participates in family food choices. The shock and awe on family and friends faces when Trevor came home has been fitting for a video clip that would be played over and over on Youtube.
I owe you more than what you will ever know; with the sincerest of thanks and tears welling in my eyes I will close this note.
Mary D., Henderson, NV
Wellspring was the life saving event that saved our whole family, not just our daughter. Deciding to send Rachel away to camp for 8 weeks was tough, but in the end, and 40 lbs lost later, it was well worth it. Arriving at the camp, we were greeted by a professional staff, which made every effort to assure us that Rachel's stay at Wellspring would be life changing. We received letters from Rachel noting the many activities the staff encouraged her to do: hiking, kayaking, camping and other activities, that we once thought were out of her reach because of her weight.
When I attended the Family Workshop Weekend, not only did I witness what the camp entailed, but also the self- esteem, motivation and spiritual growth of my daughter. As a parent, I went through the daily regiment of the campers. From that day, another title was added to my daughter; she was my hero and forever will be. The camp brought us together as a family, changed our very bad eating habits and helped Dad lose 20 lbs and Mom lose 30lbs. I could not ignore the obesity problems any longer. Wellspring brought them to life in a very caring and nurturing environment, not only for Rachel, but for the rest of the family as well. Your program is a Godsend, and I recommend all parents who are concerned about their obese children, and their own obesity, to send them to Wellspring; it will be life changing.
I have added a picture of Mom and Rachel and the latest activity, zipping through the trees. That activity has been added to our list because of our weight loss as a family. An activity that once we thought impossible is now attainable.
Elisa R., Houston, TX
Thank you and your incredible staff at Wellspring for transforming Matthew into a happier young man. As the school year approached Matt and I spent much time discussing the challenges he would face returning to boarding school. I am thrilled to report the year has started off incredibly well. All who knew Matt last year were taken back with his accomplishments this summer. He religiously wears his pedometer and works out at the gym. The Landmark School which he attends is amazingly supportive of his wellness program. They allowed a refrigerator in his room so he has access to fat free foods and of course "buffalo meatballs". He weighs in at the nurses office and sees a nutritionist at school. The chef has a copy of the Sierras Weight Loss Solution on his desk.
Matt's positive attitude is a direct result of his weight loss. He feels so much better both physically and emotionally. I am happy to report that Matt lost several more pounds when he returned home and continues to maintain his weight loss.
I am so proud of Matthew's hard work. I thank all of you for being a part of his wonderful journey!
Karyn Z., Vero Beach, FL
I wanted to share some pictures of Ty running his first half-marathon last weekend.
I won't pretend that it's been smooth sailing; he's had some rough weeks here and there since we left camp. But, differently from anytime in the past, he always manages to get back on track, get focused, and apply all that he learned last year at Wellspring. He is wonderfully healthy.
On a personal and academic level, he's becoming the person I always knew he could be. He's graduating near the top of his class, and received a fully-paid four year scholarship to Ohio State University, where he'll start in the fall. Gone is the angry kid who wasn't happy with himself. In his place is a happy, confident young man.
I can't thank you and your staff enough for all that you did for Ty, and as well for our entire family. We all run together, and are now training to run a full marathon in October. Life is good.
Wellspring has been a life-changing experience for our family! My daughter and I were getting very discouraged after trying many options (Nutritionists, Counseling, Personal Trainers, Naturopath and Doctors). We were certain that something was medically wrong – maybe her thyroid was not functioning properly.
Although it was a great deal of money – it was an investment in our daughter’s health! We had to be creative in finding the money to enroll our daughter – it was worth every penny!
Her health, stamina, confidence, & overall happiness have all changed for the positive! Rachel lost 18 pounds during the month at camp and has continued to lose each week for a grand total of 37 pounds! The staff support is fabulous and the friendships she made will last a lifetime.
Thank you Wellspring for a new lifestyle – not a diet!Bess & John R., Delta, British Columbia
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, Ontario
As an overview, Wellspring was probably the BEST thing we EVER did for Amanda, AND for our family. Amanda definitely does not binge anymore, which was one of her biggest issues. Although she eats more carbs and less protein than I would like her to... she is eating very low fat. My husband has lost about 30 lbs. since our family weekend at week 4. He knew he needed to lose weight but always had trouble... the Wellspring guidelines made it extremely easy for him to take off the weight. He is still exercising daily and monitoring, etc.
I am an emotional eater and eat under stress, and my work is very stressful. I have learned to control it somewhat. Since I have no more Wellspring UN-friendly food in the house, even if I do over-indulge, it is not with junk. We are still reviewing restaurant menus before we go, so we can make a good choice. If we go to a party, I try to always bring something that is Wellspring friendly for Amanda and our family.
We know this is going to be a lifelong journey and would like to continue to be a part of the Wellspring family.
Laurie H., Auburn Township, OHHolly is a child who needed a push. She was so upset over the name calling, the bullying, and finally it reached a point where she became withdrawn and reclusive. It was very sad as her mother to watch my baby girl turn so angry and defensive.
Then we found Wellspring Camps. Holly attended Wellspring Texas, and I can say that it is outstanding.
Holly went weighing 287 pounds….when she left camp after 6 weeks, she had lost 33 pounds. To date, Holly has lost a total of 61 pounds and it is still coming off. She has had a few slips, but is now back on track. To hear all of the kids come up to her at registration for High School, they all were telling her how good she looked and she just smiled from ear to ear. She enrolled in the High School marching band, and was one of a few 9th graders who made the cut to march on the field during half time. This is very hard to be a freshman and make an “A” marcher. But she did it. When we went school clothes shopping for the first time after her losing all the weight, it was so much fun. We laughed, we cried, and she was so proud to finally be able to wear “normal” clothes.
As her mother, I am overweight as well, and we are going to continue the success together. Holly will be attending one semester at Wellspring Academies in North Carolina in January, to get just a little more one on one coaching and behavioral modification.
Wendy F., Deer Park, TX
Cody has lost another 10 lbs. since the end of August. He has joined the wrestling team which he would never had thought of before summer Camp. I have a whole new son…
Judy C., Franklin, NC
Wellspring was life altering for my child and our family. I think a child knowing how to lose weight effectively, and do it in a healthy manner is the best foundation for someone in the American culture, where we are bombarded with unhealthy choices. The best feeling for me is not being the food police. I found myself always feeling like I was ruining my child by monitoring her eating habits. It has to be their choice. She now has gone out for cheerleading, which I would have never believed before. I am very grateful to all our coaches and therapists, who took their summer and mentored this group of kids. I would love to bring the program to our area because as a state, we rate near highest on the obesity chart. I now share the program with anyone who will listen. I'm a firm believer in referring a great program because that is how I got here. Thank you again.
Cecilia M., Daphne, AL
My daughter, Katelynn, attended your program summer of 2008. I am proud to report she has maintained her commitment to the Wellspring Plan as well as losing additional weight over the last 12 months. She started high school two weeks ago and has started cheerleading; she is so happy and confident! I am so thankful for your program! I have attached some new pictures of her, one from before camp and then one from 8th grade graduation and the other from her 1st football game! Thank you so much!!
Rachel S., Port St. Lucie, FL
Thank you for running such a successful and effective program. Hank weighed in this morning at 223 pounds. Jessica and her staff did a fantastic job. Rusty, Bridget and Jessica are all fantastic. Hank really liked Derrick, Adam and Thomas also. He said they really helped him and kept him motivated and on track. I hope you have a permanent place for Rusty and Bridget at the home office as they would be a great permanent catch for you.
Hank started 9 weeks ago at for his initial weigh-in at 289 pounds. He is still committed to the program and intends to be 200 pounds by October 1st. That would be basically 90 pounds of weight loss in 16 weeks. As it stands now he lost 66 pounds in 63 days of camp. That is pretty amazing. That is 23% of his body weight in 9 weeks and he had the flu one week and a sprained ankle the last week.
I think he is a prime candidate for your poster child at 200 pounds in 16 weeks after starting at 289. He enjoyed camp and really hated to leave. He is next door at Ms. Simpson’s house now helping her develop a plan for her health and PE classes at school this year. She is in charge of health and PE at Hank’s High School which is Indian River Charter High School. She will be calling you to set up a fit camp. Look at Hank’s before and after pictures on your web site. He started at a 46 waist and is in 38 jeans today which are a little big. He plans on getting to 180 by Christmas. We just need to figure out how to tighten up all the loose skin in his stomach, oblique’s and breasts. He has about 15 pounds of extra skin but that hopefully can be dealt with.
Thanks again for everything.
Bill S., Vero Beach, CA
John is continuing to do amazingly well. He is still very much on the program - self-monitors his own diet and avoids fat like its geometry homework or something. He ended up losing about 50lbs; I'm not sure he really needs to lose more at this point.
Most impressive to me has been his adoption of Water Polo. He's joined a club team and practices hard for two hours, four times a week. He loves it! Big turn-around for him, especially with a sport you have to do in a Speedo! But he's looking great.
Doug G., Misson Viejo, CA
Our superstar is doing great. She told me she just finished her 90-days of self monitoring and is planning on continuing forever. She has maintained her weight loss and probably lost more weight. She looks really wonderful and is so happy with the results from Camp. Her transformation was wonderful. She says she's not on a diet - it's a lifestyle change and it's changed all of our lives.
She just finished volleyball season and started practicing for basketball (her love) this week. Their coach really works them hard so needless to say she is getting lots of exercise. She is finishing up all her applications for college and has already been accepted to the University of Oregon.
We are all thankful for Lindsey's trip to Wellspring this summer and her experience has changed our relationship with food. Art who has never had an issue with food is so supportive and is on the bandwagon too. Lindsey keeps on touch with lots of her friends from camp. We are going to Italy this summer and she is planning on visiting Ellie in Paris and some of her other European friends. What a great life this kid has! We are so proud of her and she has worked very hard in school and on her physical and mental health.
Lori L., Los Angeles, CA
I wanted to thank you for all you did for our daughter Caroline this summer. She had such an incredible experience and was so sad leaving everyone. She said it was the best experience in her life thus far!! She is doing remarkably well and has continued losing weight and doing her program everyday. We are so grateful to you and your incredible staff. I was so happy to meet everyone. I especially thought Caroline's BC Carol was exceptional and she spent so much time going over everything very thoroughly. Caroline feels very blessed to have her in her life. Thank you again. I wish you and all your staff much continued success at Wellspring.
Leslie R., Bryn Mawr, PAMy daughter attended 4-weeks of Wellspring last summer and she came back a changed person. She lost 22 pounds and came back confident and mature. Prior to Wellspring, we had tried everything and nothing had worked. The program is comprehensive and the staff was warm and caring. The food and exercise plan was easy to follow and she was able to maintain the program once she left camp. It is now 3-months post camp and she has lost a total of 45 pounds!
I just want you to know that this camp has been a miracle for Caroline. We had tried so many things with some success but nothing really significant. Caroline had to be ready to take charge of her own eating habits. We, as her parents, were available to her to help her out but we did not always know how to. The immersion in the camp allowed her to break her bad habits and to have success in healthy eating and weight loss. Now that she has been successful, there is nothing that can stop her! This has not been an easy process and I am sure that there will be challenges along the way but that is o.k.
Thanks to you and the other counselors for all the support to Caroline and to our family!
Thank you Wellspring for providing the hope and success of weight loss for my daughter!
I can't say enough about how great Wellspring is. I hope the "Doctors" reaches out to kids that need the help. I was an overweight child myself and know the difficulties it possesses both physically and emotionally. It took me until I was almost 35 to learn and understand losing weight. That is why I am so grateful for the experience Zach had and what he learned. It changed his life and I know he won't have the same struggles as I did. If there is anything Zach or I can do to get the word out there about Wellspring and what kids learn with the program please let me know happy to help in any way we are able to.
Robin H., Woodland Hills, CA
Catie had so much fun and made so many friends at Wellspring. Never in a million years did either of us think she could do the things that she accomplished at camp, but she did it! Now, she's lost almost 50 pounds (18 at camp and another 27 at home). In addition, I've lost 20 pounds and we're both well on our way to a much healthier lifestyle.
Before she left for camp, she was insulin resistant, with resulting visible skin discoloration. Today, the skin discoloration is completely gone and we're both amazed that it was completely diet and exercise related. We now walk twice a day (most days) - rain or shine - for approximately an hour at a time, and she goes to the gym three-days a week. (Some days I make it; some days I don't...she's much more dedicated to the gym, but I'm trying.) In addition, she's taking a cooking class this year and has been thoroughly disappointed in them after having attended Veronica's excellent culinary and nutrition classes!
I've hailed your praises to our family practitioner and strongly recommended that she research Wellspring and keep you in mind for future families struggling with adolescent weight issues. (She was absolutely amazed at Catie's progress in such a short period of time, and was thrilled to high-five her for doing such an amazing job this summer!)
Yesterday she even completed her first day of holiday boot camp at the YMCA and she was beaming when she got home, saying it felt great to be able to say she did it! Wellspring gave me back my daughter - with a newfound confidence! Today - thanks to Wellspring - she knows there's nothing she can't accomplish!
All I can say is thank you! What a world of difference Wellspring has been for us. Thank you - to everyone at Wellspring - for giving me my healthy daughter back!
Jill B., Conroe, TX
It's great to hear from you! 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, ALWellspring was a very great experience. She is focused here at home. We all are eating healthy as well as exercising more. I expect Sammy to continue to lose weight with her new determination. We shall definitely recommend the camp to other family members so they can enjoy all the benefits Sammy gained. Thank you.
Terry N., Japan
Brennyn has lost 35 pounds. She is happy and confident like never before and very proud of herself. She continues to work the program and is a healthy positive influence on her friends. We are very proud of her and happy to see this new enthusiastic and motivated grown-up emerge.
Beth C., Panama City, FL
My name is Elizabeth, Asia's mom. I was one of the parents who attended the Family Workshop. First off, I would like to mention that I really did not know what to expect. What you see in pictures and on the Internet could not compare to the smell in the air, and beautiful natural surroundings of the camp grounds!
I felt that my journey to Hilo was just as important and necessary as sending my daughter to the Wellspring Program and would highly recommend it to any parent considering this path for there child. I was able to see my daughter Asia transform (which blew me away). I felt connected instantly to the program and its methods. The counselors were wonderful they were prideful of their campers and my daughter Asia. That gave me a glimpse of what type of influence and support she was exposed to for eight long weeks.
The living quarters were raw and natural and blended beautifully with the environment. I was over the moon when I saw how at ease Asia felt with this arrangement. The counselors ran a tight ship and everyone was willing and able to accomplish their tasks with ease. They had a multitude of workshops planned throughout the day which I found informative and validating! They provided textbooks and a food guide (which is Asia’s weapon against fat!) and food journal (SMJ) which keeps her honest and accountable.
The food was amazing! I could not stop imagining what eight weeks of virtually fat-free/low-fat delicious meals dished up by Chef Will must have tasted like!
Can't wait for the cookbook which is another important tool, tailor made by the Wellspring Hawaii team. This will benefit the entire family. Thanks.
My daughter has shed pounds and gained the confidence that she possessed. She is armed with knowledge about herself and others. Now pointed in the right direction, Asia is well on her way to being all she can be!
Deep heartfelt thanks go out to each and every person and councilor who had a direct impact on Asia and who gave of themselves selflessly to uplift her and other young people going through probably the toughest journey of their lives. Thank you.
Max and Elizabeth G., Newhall, CA
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
My daughter Taylor 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., Jewett City, CT
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 although the weight loss has slowed down. 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 S., Psy.D., Iowa City, IAShannon 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.
Kim has done well. She has kept the weight off but has not worked the program completely enough to lose more weight. BUT the principles she learned stay with her and she is much more in-tune with what her body needs when it comes to her weight. As your website says- it is one of the best things I have ever done for her.
Best of luck to you.
Marcia C. Olney, MD
Keri is doing wonderful, looks wonderful, playing the sports she loves, and is spending lots of time with Sylvia in VA these days. Our success story is one I will always be thankful to you and your team of great people for!!! I wish you the best of everything.
Mary Beth K., Laurel, MD
I just wanted to thank you personally for your leadership of the Wellspring PA camp that Elizabeth attended. She worked hard, but enjoyed herself and the results she accomplished.
By the time she left the camp, she had lost 27 pounds! I was amazed and very happy. She has not kept up with the SMJ process, but the mindset sticks with her. She has continued to lose about a pound per week and so has now lost a total of 44 pounds. Her confidence is back. She remains active by walking vs. riding to school each day and with her daily practice / workout with the flag team from her school's marching band.
She is trying out new extra curricular activities, like the Model U.N. club and made a 4.0 GPA for her first report card in high school.
Her brother and I have adjusted our lifestyle to support Elizabeth. As a result, we have both become more active and lost weight as well.
The cost to send her to Wellspring PA was not easy for our family to pay, but I think the results of Elizabeth viewing herself and her life differently will definitely be worth it down the road.
Thanks again for your leadership and may God bless you in your future endeavors.
Deborah B., Waldorf, MDI could not be more pleased for my daughter and myself. I found the camp staff to be professional, helpful, and very skilled. Wellspring created the perfect environment to help my daughter learn to address her health issues and to feel accepted and supported. She had a great deal of success and fun at camp and that experience has carried over to her home life. Zellie is half way to her goal weight and continuing to use the Wellspring Plan.
I am fortunate that I am not genetically predisposed to weight gain, but over the last decade, I had become more sedentary and less careful about my diet. Since we adopted the Wellspring Plan at home, I have lost 30 pounds and I exercise daily and feel healthy and fit.
Sydnia J., Severna Park, MD
Our son, Tanner has lost 42 lbs. He has gone from a size 40 pants to a size 34. He is beside himself and has asked me several times to send a picture of him to Wellspring so that you can all see how great he is doing. He looks so awesome and is so proud of himself, he would love to represent Wellspring and encourage other kids. He is totally sold out on the program and looks for opportunities to tell people how he lost all his weight. If you decide that he might be someone that you would want to consider, I know he would love it.
Thank you,
Lisa K., Flint, TX
First of all, I want to express my sincere gratitude to Jude Wood. I was always able to reach her either by phone or email and if she wasn't able to answer a question, she made it a point to get me the answer as quickly as possible. Being away from my daughter for eight weeks was very difficult. Jude was always there to hold my hand and was able to take the time to see how my daughter was doing and then emailing me the updates. Priceless! My daughter really enjoyed J.J. and Rick her counselors. They kept her spirits up and that allowed her to walk the 30,000 + steps daily. Becky her BC was always there for her if she had a problem or was feeling home-sick... She also helped her with any question she may have had with her SMJ. Marianna has already expressed to me that she misses Wellspring Camp and the friends that she met this summer. The only thing she will not miss is the extreme heat of Reedley California! If you ever need me to talk to any new parents, I would be more than happy to do so!
Helen A., San Diego, CA
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your help in getting Bailey to camp and for addressing all of our concerns while she was there. We were very worried about Bailey because of her weight. She was steadily gaining more and more weight, and we were concerned about her becoming diabetic or developing high blood pressure. We tried to help her lose weight but she felt we were just nagging at her and it only made the problem worse. We really didn't know where to turn, and then we learned about Wellspring Camps.
At first, we were afraid that Bailey was too young to send to camp for a minimum of 4-weeks; after all, she had never even been away from home for more than one night. We also had to think about whether or not we could afford it. After mentioning it to Bailey, she became very excited and we decided right then and there, we couldn't afford not to send her.
Wellspring was absolutely the best investment we have ever made. Bailey is a different person because of Wellspring. She has lost 36 pounds so far and believes in the Wellspring program with all her heart! Jeff and I have both lost 5 lbs. each since we attended the Family Workshop, and wear our pedometers daily right along with Bailey.
Anyway, just wanted to tell you how much we appreciate you and everyone else at Wellspring. We are truly planning on making this a lifestyle change for us, as well as Bailey. Keep up the good work!
Jessy has continued to lose weight at home. She has lost 24 pounds since coming home from camp, for a total of 45 pounds. My husband and son each lost 15 pounds and I've lost 10 pounds so far. So I guess we've lost a grand total of 75 pounds combined. Thanks Wellspring!
Robin L., Slidell, LA
Ashley started at 207 lbs and now weighs 177 pounds, losing 28 pounds at Wellspring in eight-weeks and another 2 pounds in her first week home, making 30 lbs altogether. We have been walking everyday since she returned and have rejoined our local gym and have been going to teen fit together.
Jackie and Ian C., Arlesford, HamshireOur daughter really enjoyed the experience, lost weight, made new friends and is doing well so far in the Continuing Care. This program was not paid for by health care, and we have not been able to submit anything to them for potential reimbursement. Regardless - whether or not we get any money back, I feel it was money well spent. Since we came to the Family Workshop, we have made the changes at home, and both my husband and I have been on the program. Between us we have lost 20 lbs., and have recommended the program to others.
This was a very positive experience for the whole family.
Thank you!
Shelly M., Campbell, British Columbia
The staff members at Wellspring Vancouver were amazing and I thank God for finding you and you giving my child back her life. She is so different. Happy and smiling.
Thanks so much.
Norma R., Whitehorse, Yukon
Our son was successful at camp. He has lost about 7 lbs since returning home. Activity level is most difficult to keep going with him. He is eating mostly on plan and understands what he needs to do and, has found foods he likes. We just need to find activities he likes to do and will be self motivated to do.
The camp was great as far as him feeling better about himself. He did not think he would lose any weight there and he did and is proud of that. He still has a ways to go and we are working as a family to continue his success.
The staff in Platteville was wonderful. They were available for answering questions, great motivators and helped with emotional difficulties Jackson had during camp and when leaving. We are very grateful to them.
Nancy K., Greenbay, WI
Our daughter Hannah attended the Wisconsin camp for 8 weeks. It has so far been one of the greatest experiences for our family. Hannah has struggled with her weight her entire life and it has always been a worry for our entire family. She lost a total of 52 pounds in the eight-weeks that she was there and it was amazing to us. Our entire family (Hannah's Dad, sister who is 17, brother who is 14 and me, Mom) attended the Family Workshop and we all think that it was so important that we were all there so we all knew what she had gone through and what was expected of all of us at home. We are all extremely proud of how Hannah has handled everything since being home. She knows the Plan very well and is trying very hard at everything. Hannah has always been in sports so when she returned home volleyball practice started the very next day so she has been able to keep up with her exercise (her coaches were amazed at the shape she is in) but if she hadn't been in sports I think the whole exercise adjustment from being at camp to coming home would have been a huge adjustment for her. She has made the comment many times of missing the strictness and structure of camp. It has made Hannah such a more confident and happy with herself. Thank you so much for everything.
Sherri Z., Verdigre, NE
My family has been with the Wellspring program now for three summers. First my daughter Josie, her dad and I went to the Family Camp when Josie was ten. Last year she went to your California camp for two months. And this year she was in Vancouver for a month.
Josie is doing extremely well, as am I, from the lifestyle changes. When I have time I can send you some pictures...she is a true testament to what you are doing with obese children.....
She has also made some good friends at camp, there were several this year that she met last year.
I think the hardest thing for us was to remember that the weight did not come on overnight; therefore it takes a while to come off. We've had several setbacks that we had to learn not to do again...but, we just kept getting back up, dusting ourselves off, and trying again.
Josie should lose around 20 more pounds. She is in a size 12-14 now at 5'8" so we are thrilled with her progress. Her doctor said had she stayed on the track she was gaining weight before Wellspring Josie would be at 247 pounds now, and she weighs around 197. Josie's doctor is thrilled as well...Yea Josie! Thanks!!!
Kelly C., Tacoma, WA
