The Wellspring Plan: A Complete and Proven Program for a Healthy Lifestyle
Wellspring is a comprehensive fitness and weight loss program based on decades of scientific research on what actually works for dramatic weight loss and long-term weight control. Unlike traditional weight loss camps or fat camps, Wellspring has proven its effectiveness year-after-year.
From the time they arrive at camp, Wellspring campers are trained on all components of the Wellspring Plan, a simple, sustainable, and scientific approach to a healthy lifestyle. So while they're having a fantastic time sharing adventures with new friends, they are also learning to live the Wellspring Plan, which includes:
Campers learn to enjoy a low-fat, low-density diet that is nutritious and delicious. This diet satisfies hunger and is the optimal diet to counteract the biological and environmental factors that contribute to weight gain. Campers learn to cook the same foods they eat at camp, to shop for these foods in grocery stores, and to order these foods in restaurants. We understand that campers will be more successful if the food they eat at camp is familiar to them, so meals and snacks are primarily healthier versions of the food kids already eat. Campers regularly tell us how much they love the food at camp!
Campers achieve at least 10,000 steps each day through walks, hikes, and exposure to a range of exciting weight loss activities, games, and sports that campers are likely to continue at home. Many of our campers exceed 20,000 or more steps per day.
Wellspring recognizes that long-term weight loss requires some major changes in campers' behavior—changes that are difficult at any age. Our goal is to help campers keep the weight off long after camp ends, which requires permanent changes in how campers view diet and activity. To help campers adopt healthier attitudes about self-care, the Wellspring Plan includes an innovative cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program.
Wellspring employs Masters- and Doctoral-level therapists trained in CBT to help campers improve stress management skills, enhance frustration tolerance, and allow campers to work through the issues that might be contributing to the excess weight, such as emotional eating or resorting to food to handle anxiety or stress. Trained therapists are called Behavioral Coaches because they actively coach each camper to achieve weight loss and successful long-term weight control.
By working with Behavioral Coaches throughout the summer, attending Family Workshops, and with the option of participating in our Continuing Care program, parents learn a healthy lifestyle right along with their son/ daughter at camp. Parents learn the best strategies for maximizing support for their new weight controller, in good times, and when their child is struggling. And Wellspring rewards parents for their involvement, offering a $300 award for attending one of our free Family Workshops.
When Wellspring Camp is over, the success does not end. Campers participate in Wellspring's renowned ONE YEAR Continuing Care program, providing continued care with their Behavioral Coach from camp, including self-monitoring, weigh-ins, goal setting, and communicating with fellow campers all online.
And because we believe in our campers and in the benefits of ongoing support, we offer a $700 award for making a 3-month commitment to the Continuing Care program. To qualify for the award, a camper must record three food items per day for at least 70 of the 90 days following camp, and the family must send a verified height and weight measurement to Wellspring.
Each facet of the Wellspring Plan-- diet, activities, behavioral coaching, family involvement, and Continuing Care — is based on decades of experience and research, combined to give Wellspring Campers the best opportunity for long-term weight loss success!
- Learn more about Obesity Research and Dr. Dan Kirschenbaum »
- Wellspring Camps Rated Best Weight Loss Camps by Consumer Digest »
