Wellspring Vancouver is a place where campers discover how much they are capable of. Campers' lives improve dramatically as they build confidence, make great friends, and find the motivation to persevere. A few of their stories are below.
Rachel R., Delta Beach, BC
Lost 18 pounds at Wellspring Vancouver and (at last count!) an additional 19 pounds at home.
AFRAID TO FAIL AGAIN...
At first I did not want to go to Wellspring because I was scared that it wouldn't work for me (like every thing else –it would fail like all other diets, nutritionists, gym memberships, & programs that I've tried). I first made up the idea that I didn't want to go because it was a month without my friends – but then I asked myself, what is more important: your friends or your health and happiness? So I went.
FINALLY, SOMETHING IS WORKING FOR ME!
When I got to Wellspring I was very scared and kept thinking in my mind, "It's never going to work. Why am I here?" But, as the days went by I started to realize, "Wow it IS actually working. In my journal after my second weigh in, I wrote, "Finally something is working for me!"
Wellspring was definitely worth it, and I feel like a different person now. I never felt like I was on a diet – the food is awesome and it's been pretty easy to follow the plan at home!
FROM RACHEL'S PARENTS…
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, Naturopaths 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, BC
WELLSPRING VANCOUVER CAMPERS SAY…
"I was very happy when I reached my goal here, and that staff was oh-so nice, and they were really motivating."
"I had one of the best summers of my life. I had fun, I lost weight, I learned how to have a healthy lifestyle, and I became better at many sports and running."
More Wellspring Success…
Matt Z., Vero Beach, FL.
Lost 43 pounds at camp and has continued to lose weight at home.
GREAT NEW FRIENDS…
Wellspring was so much fun I didn't feel like it was work. I made good friends and we helped each other through the program. When I went back to school in September everyone was so happy to see what I accomplished and I felt so good about myself.
FROM MATT'S MOM…
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.
Matt's positive attitude is a direct result of his weight loss. He feels so much better both physically and emotionally. I am so proud of Matthew's hard work. I thank all of you for being a part of his wonderful journey!
-Karyn, Mom of Matt
Parents' Wellspring Vancouver Stories
Our 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
I wanted to send a note to say thank you to all the staff at Wellspring. Laura had a wonderful experience, and learned and incorporated everything I had hoped for into her daily life. She is diligently monitoring her calorie and fat intake, her steps, and her progress.
You do great work, and we are grateful. Laura and her Dad are both continuing with the program and making great progress. Laura has lost half of her goal in 2.5 months and she has a new outlook and confidence that are amazing. She will get to her goal without question. The fact that she is now the one in our family suggesting, "Why don't we walk there?" (instead of me – used to be met with resounding no's) is incredible.
Janet S., Albany, CA
Matthew's experience at Wellspring was fantastic. He went to camp with the hope of losing 25-pounds. On his last weight in, he had lost 50-pounds and was absolutely thrilled. However, that isn't the reason Wellspring was so great in Matt's eyes. Matthew really enjoyed making new friends. Also, there was always something to do. Surfing, hiking, swimming, and rock climbing are just a few of the things that Matt got to try.
Although we were happy to have Matthew home after eight weeks of camp, we were also nervous that he would slip back into his old habits. Not only has he continued with the program, he has also helped the rest of the family start living a healthier life. I have already lost 12-pounds by following Matthew's example.
Matthew says that he lost weight, but he gained friends, memories, knowledge, and a healthier and happier way of life. Thank you for helping him do so.
Pam H., Vancouver, WA
Sending our daughter to Wellspring was one of the best decisions we have ever made. It was so painful to watch her lag behind her normal-sized teammates at sports practices, and we felt so helpless watching her choose huge helpings of the highest fat foods she could find in the house. Now she is normal sized, and is making choices to keep it that way. Even if at some point in the future she makes unhealthy choices again, (I hope not, but I can't control her) I will know that I did all that I possibly could as a parent to give her the tools she needs to maintain a normal weight.
Jeanna S., Portland, OR
Joey is very, very happy with his experience at Wellspring. He started camp weighing in at 341, and at his final weigh-in he weighed 288. Since returning home he has lost more weight. Joey has taken charge of his own food experience, and this was evident even on our trip home. He led and instructed his father and I at restaurants and at relatives' houses. He has set the goal to never gain the weight back and to continue losing to a normal weight range.
I have "put him on diets" before, but this is different because the motivation and commitment are coming from him. He likes to go food shopping with me; this takes forever because he reads all the labels, even of things we have no intention of buying. His knowledge of foods and nutrition is continuing to grow. He fixes his own lunches and often his own breakfast. He helps me prepare dinner. He seems never to be tempted to eat fat-containing foods. He does eat quite a bit, but it is all very low fat.
Joey's father and I are thrilled with the changes we see in our son. He is brighter and more cheerful, and he has a sense of happiness and control about him. He has grown in maturity and in how he deals with people as a result of his camp experience. I credit his excellent counselor, Brooke, and some of the other staff for this growth as well as his own efforts and good spirit. Joey and I are reading through Dr. Kirschenbaum's book, The Healthy Obsession Program, a few paragraphs a day, and I have read the whole thing. It is incredibly inspiring.
I know this e-mail is to be about Joey, but I have to say this one thing about myself because I think that Wellspring reaches the whole family. I have struggled with weight since the age of 3, and I am now 58. Because of the inspiration of my son and his experiences at Wellspring and because of the inspiration I find in the Healthy Obsession Program book, for the first time in my life I have a very peaceful determination and assurance within myself that I will beat this thing once, continuously, and forever.
On behalf of my son, my husband, and myself, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. We are more grateful than you can know.
Bettie G., Grants Pass, OR
As I receive phone calls from my daughter Jackie, I believe I hear a stronger person each week. She has pushed through many hurdles and the strength is showing through. The mountain hike and rock climb really created a new passion within her to finish what she has started. Jackie has achieved so much from Wellspring – life-long friends, experiences she would never have tried and weight loss that has been hard work, as well as success and new found self esteem. I hope we can learn as much as possible to enable Jackie to continue on this path. Thanks for the great job, thanks to all the staff; how exciting to see the difference you have made in their lives!
Ramona K., Brier, WA
"Yummy fresh Bean Sprouts!" Kirsten exclaimed to me last Saturday night. I was shocked as last spring she would have been gagging. Although Kirsten has not lost weight since camp, she is a whole different person about food now. When we shop together and I am amazed at what she now knows about food. Her older sister takes her to a local health club and she has been swimming 2-3 times a week. Kirsten also dances 3 times a week and is starting to walk home from school. She still is motivated to lose weight, and is committed to eating low-fat. I could not be more thrilled. I have filled the house with fresh fruits, vegetables and any other items Kirsten needs to maintain a low fat lifestyle. We have been able to talk appropriately and pre-plan social situations with other friends. Last Saturday night she was at a birthday party and felt confident to say she did not want any cake! This experience for Kirsten has helped gain new confidence in herself, set lifelong goals, and make new friends around the country and the world. I know she has been self monitoring and she also talks on-line to her camp friends. I have told so many people about this and plan to continue. Wellspring was the best choice I have ever made for my daughter. Also, as a family we are all following this low-fat lifestyle. Since Kirsten left for camp I have lost 27 pounds!
Karen Q., Spokane WA
