They’re not “fat camps,” but balanced programs that focus on the whole child. And these summer camps and residential academies may be the first places that overweight kids find themselves really accepted for who they are.

by Lori Zanteson

Summer camps may land a spot on the local news or paper once a year, but Wellspring Camps and Academies rocks the television season every week as the scene of Too Fat for Fifteen, the Style Network’s hit reality series.

The series follows seven overweight teens attending Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas residential weight loss school for children, giving a face and voice to the childhood obesity epidemic. Like any reality show, we tune in for the drama. We want to know if Scotty kept the weight off over spring break or how the coach will get defiant Lia to exercise, and we want to there to cheer on formerly 510-pound Tanisha, when she reaches another goal. But this inside glimpse at Wellspring teens is more than entertainment—it’s education that will build an understanding that can spur change and help end a deadly epidemic.

True to its portrayal on the TV screen, Wellspring is committed to helping children combat childhood obesity. The TV partnership has “definitely helped spread the word about what we’re doing and helped families understand there are more intensive options,” said Linda Daignault, vice president of marketing for Wellspring Camps and Academies. Wellspring has seen an increase in enrollment since the show, now in its second season, began. Feedback comes from those who relate to the show because they’ve been through similar struggles, but also from people who have gained compassion from these teens’ stories. Too Fat for Fifteen, says Daignault, “is helping put a more human face on childhood obesity.”

Obesity affects children of all sorts

Childhood overweight and obesity affects children of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Weight can impact medical, emotional and social health regardless of age. If these complications are not addressed at an early age, they can have lifelong impact. Nearly 90 percent of overweight adolescents will become obese adults, according to the January 1994 Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Health concerns for children are similar to those for adults, putting them at higher risk of developing high cholesterol, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma, sleep apnea, and shorter life span. The emotional effects of overweight and obesity in children impact the quality of life. Social discrimination, low self-esteem, loneliness, feelings of isolation, and an increased risk of depression and suicide can result. In fact, many overweight children rate their quality of life as low as that of terminal cancer patients, according to the April 9, 2003 Journal of the American Medical Association.

Not a “fat camp”

Wellspring sets itself apart from other weight loss camps or “fat camps,” which restrict food or demand exercise, resulting in only short-term weight loss. Rather than deal with weight as an isolated issue, Wellspring addresses lifestyle change.

Campers learn to regulate their food intake and activity levels as they take healthy cooking lessons and strive to reach those 10,000 steps each day on camp outings. Linda Daignault believes behavioral change is one of the things that make Wellspring so special. Campers and students at the academies have four sessions a week with a licensed therapist where they’re taught “concrete skills to deal with stress management that will stick with them throughout their lives,” she says. Focusing on the whole child, Wellspring guides children through emotional and social growth as they lose weight.

Part of Wellspring’s commitment to campers and students involves family and continued care beyond the program. With a 70 percent success rate of maintaining or continuing weight loss at home, Wellspring has a winning program. “Family involvement,” says Daignault, ‘is among the most important factors” toward the program’s success.

“We see such a huge correlation between parents who are willing to get on board and the campers’ success,” Daignault explains. It’s so important that Wellspring puts money on it, offering $300 to parents who come to a weekend workshop with their kids. The healthy living skills and healthy parenting styles regarding eating and exercise that families take away from the weekend help the camper stay on track and have the added benefit of helping the entire family lose weight and be a healthier place.

Once campers leave Wellspring, they are given a free year of Continuing Care with motivation through phone and email contact. At the three-month point, those who pass a weigh-in from their doctor earn a $700 award.

Residential Academies encourage success in school

Success rates increase with longer programs, which is why Wellspring Academies are so effective. But their success is not limited to weight loss. Academic success earns accolades here as well. Fully accredited, the academies work closely with each student’s home school, and credits transfer easily.

Because school is so social, many overweight kids struggle there dealing with teasing and other discrimination. The result is often increased absences and lack of motivation, which cause grades to plummet. Once kids break away from the difficulty of their home school and attend classes in Wellspring’s residential program, “we see a pretty major improvement,” says Daignault.

The academies are very flexible, allowing a student to start at any time. The minimum stay is generally four months, but it’s becoming increasingly common to come for a semester or stay for a full school year.

There are 11 Wellspring summer camp locations in seven states and the United Kingdom, and two academies. Both the camps and the academies have many program options to offer the best situation for each individual. There are weight loss camps for ages 11-24, family camp for families with kids ages 5-15, and even a women’s program for adult women ages 25-65 plus. Academies are for ages 12-24 and include college programs.

For more information on all of Wellspring’s locations and programs, check wellspringcamps.com.

 

Lori Zanteson is a Southern California-based writer and mother of three who specializes in health, food, and fitness for families.

Photos courtesy of Wellspring Camps and Academies