How Wellspring Compares To Fat Camps
and Other Weight Loss Plans
Families are faced with a number of choices for helping their child lose weight this summer. Many parents consider diets, traditional fat camps, joining a gym or a sports team, personal training sessions, or seeing a therapist or nutritionist. Unfortunately, many families also consider doing nothing, hoping that the problem will go away on its own over time.
Before making a decision, consider these questions:
- Has your child tried other methods of losing weight before? What was the result?
- What will it mean for you and your child if the weight gain continues this summer?
Most families have tried conventional methods of weight loss before with limited success, hoping “this time will be different.” Unfortunately, these weight loss efforts likely will not work, as numerous studies and experience have shown. The effort and lack of success often proves disappointing and discouraging to teens, leading to further weight gain.
At Wellspring Vancouver we know sustained weight loss for teens is incredibly challenging and, ultimately, requires a permanent change in behaviour and habits. The good news is that Wellspring can help.
Wellspring is NOT a fat camp, diet camp, or even a boot camp. Wellspring IS a comprehensive, scientifically based immersion weight loss treatment program – Canada’s first – that makes its home in a fun summer camp environment. At Wellspring Vancouver, your child has the chance for fitness and weight loss success virtually unparalleled by any weight loss program, for any age group.
While there are many summer camps in Canada that focus on various activities, none of these camps are likely to make a material difference in your child’s weight six months after camp ends. If your child is struggling with his or her weight, wouldn’t it be preferable to have a fun summer while at the same time resolving the weight issue once and for all? Visit Wellspring’s BMI Calculator to assess your child’s weight issue or see the effect of weight.
At Wellspring Vancouver, we focus on a long-term healthy lifestyle. Campers lose weight at camp AND most maintain or continue losing weight at home.
In February 2007, the publication Consumers Digest reviewed weight loss camps and profiled Wellspring programs. Consumers Digest concluded that Wellspring Camps are more effective than traditional weight loss programs. To read this article, click here.
10 Questions to Ask if You’re Considering Weight Loss Camp
If you’re thinking about weight loss camp this summer, think about asking these questions:
- What was last year’s average weekly weight loss?
- What are the camp’s long-term results? What percentage of campers maintain or continue weight loss at home?
- Who designed the weight loss program? What are their credentials? Is the program design scientifically based? Or is it simply a diet camp, fat camp or a boot camp?
- Is counseling or behaviour modification offered? By credentialed therapists?
- If so, do the therapists work full time at the camp during the summer? Does each camper have an individual therapist assigned to him or her? Do therapists continue to work with campers after campers return home?
- How are families involved?
- How many campers return each year? Did they regain weight? Will new campers feel left out because of cliques from prior years?
- How large is the Camp? Is it a manageable size where the Camp Director knows each and every camper?
- Can we talk to several families of campers who have maintained or continued weight loss from last summer?
- Does the camp demonstrate improvements in self-esteem and overall well-being?
