Parent References

Following are e-mails received from Wellspring Adventure Camp families.
Full references are available upon request.

Marc and I couldn’t be more pleased with Grace’s overall experience with camp and her continued progress since camp ended. As a dietitian and a nurse practitioner it was hard to admit that my daughter, Grace, had a weight problem. Acceptance was adopted when I watched her progressively gain weight and unsuccessfully participate in weight loss programs. Beyond the weight problem, I became increasingly concerned about her attitude of helplessness when the programs failed and she continued to gain weight. My husband and I knew that more drastic measures were needed to help her find healthy coping mechanisms. We researched many weight loss programs and Wellspring was an obvious choice.

The program is based on solid clinical research and has a participatory maintenance program. I knew it would do no good to have our daughter lose weight if she were to just gain it back once she returned from camp. We let Grace decide if she wanted to go to Wellspring, knowing she would have to “buy in” to get the best results. She enthusiastically agreed to go and was excited about all the planned outdoor activities. Leaving her at camp was the hardest thing I have ever done as a parent. When I talked to her 10 days after camp started, I knew we had made the right decision.

She was so excited about the friends she had made and about being around children her age with similar problems. Grace had a great time and lost over 30 pounds at Wellspring. More importantly, however, she has replaced unhealthy coping mechanisms with healthy behaviors. Her self confidence has soared and she has learned that she is in control of her future. At home, our whole family continues the lifestyle changes taught at Wellspring. We all wear pedometers, count fat grams and calories and are more active. My husband and I, along with Grace, have lost weight and are now in the normal weight ranges for our height. We are constantly questioned about how we managed to assist Grace, as well as ourselves, achieve weight loss successfully. Bottom line – it is hard work and drastic problems need drastic solutions. Many families are concerned about the cost of the camp, but the cost is an investment in the life of the child. The benefits of this camp can have lifetime positive effects and that is priceless. Grace continues to maintain her weight loss and stays in contact with her camp friends and counselors through the maintenance program. I recommend this program, not only as a parent, but as a medical professional as well.

Grace Eadie, Panama City, FL

Our 16 year old son attended the eight-week session at Wellspring Adventure Camp. He had been overweight since he was around 5. His weight just kept creeping up no matter what sports he was participating in at school. We tried different methods for weight loss (even bribing him with money!) but nothing worked. Desperate for an answer, we attended a Lap Band Seminar during the late Fall of 2006. We drove for 3 hours just to attend the seminar and then had to return home for school the next day. Leaving the seminar I felt so sick. I knew that was not an option for him at this point but there had to be something.

I got online and researched weight loss camps. During my research, reading forums and making phone calls to Wellspring, my husband and I were very impressed. The determining factors for choosing Wellspring for us was the counselor to camper ratio and the curriculum. It was incredible. What a fun summer my son would have! We talked to our son who was all for going but only wanted to attend the four-week session. While getting his physical for camp our Doctor had written "morbidly obese" on his file. After seeing that written on his file our son was prepared to attend the eight-week camp.

Our son spent his summer hiking, surfing, white water rafting, camping and learning about food. They taught him how to count calories, watch fat grams, portion sizes, made him accountable for keeping a food journal and so much more. It was hard for our son to leave camp, and say goodbye to all of his friends and the counselors. He had gotten really close to several people there. Upon returning home we would like to report that our son has lost an additional 20 pounds in addition to the 71 pounds he lost at camp! We followed the Wellspring program. Our son has lost a total of 91 pounds! I have lost 13 pounds, my husband has lost 15 pounds and our oldest son has lost 20 pounds! My whole family made a lifestyle change to ensure our son's success.It is the best decision we have ever made as a family. Don't live to eat, eat to live!

Cindy Hahn, Harrison, AR

Wellspring Adventure Camp has made an incredible difference for our son, Nick. Last year he had gained over 50 lbs. He was binge eating and was constantly lying and stealing money to obtain food. We often found bags full of empty wrappers hidden throughout the house. His behavior impacted our whole family and we were having great difficulty finding help for him.

We sent Nick to Wellspring Adventure Camp for 8 weeks. He came back a changed young man. He lost 31 lbs. at camp and has lost another 15 lbs. since he came home. Not only has he lost the weight, he has taken back control of his life by learning to manage his stress and emotional eating behaviors. Now he makes appropriate and healthy eating choices, he eats in moderation, and has managed to overcome all of the negative behaviors that consumed him a year ago. He is well on his way to overcoming his eating disorder and we attribute that success to your camp. We are eternally grateful for the remarkable job you have done with our son and the many children that you help worldwide.

Sue Terzakis, Andover, MA

My daughter is a new young woman. She was up at 6:30 this morning to get her steps and had a greaseboard out with: "Good morning family" and our list of breakfast, calories, and fat grams posted,and she proceeded to cook when she returned.She also spent at least an hour or more trying on clothes that had been too small and parading around saying how good she felt about how she looked. Her energy is contagious and wonderful for our whole family. I can not even begin toexpress how good my husband and I feel about the experience she has had and how happy she seems.

Barbara O’Brien, Statesville, NC

My daughter went to Wellspring after enduring the emotional pain of being teased (repeatedly and unmercifully) about her weight by a so-called friend for several months. When she and I would be at home alone, she would say how ugly she was, and question why God made her the way He did. As a mother, my heart aches to hear any child, especially mine, say such things. As a master’s level social worker, I know first hand the signs of depression and self hate. I know what the long term affects of depression can be if not treated (in this case physically and emotionally). I did not want my daughter to become clinically depressed and watch her spiral down into the pit of the abyss. Wellspring Adventure Camp truly helped Alexis be the 35 lbs. lighter, happier, and healthier child that she is today. She is working toward losing another 15-20 pounds. Not only has her posture improved, her outlook on life has too. She feels prettier and is ready to tackle the world! The camp encouraged her and gave her the tools to succeed at tasks (rock climbing, 3 and 4 day hikes, and white water rapids) that only those with the highest esteem can do, and do well. Wellspring Adventure Camp is worth every cent my family spent to send Alexis there. After all, what’s worth more than your child’s health and happiness? NOTHING!!!

Erica Walker Joynes, Durham, NC

I'm happy to report that Drew is continuing to follow the Wellspring program. He is very enthusiastic about continuing to manage his weight. We are all following the low-fat regime at home. I believe this has been a help to Drew as well as good for the rest of us. He looks great. During the winter, Drew was working with a nutritionist and a physical trainer in an attempt to get him focused on healthy eating and a more active lifestyle. He was moderately successful but there was no recognizable difference in his approach to food and exercise. Drew was succeeding in school and had friends but he was clearly self-conscious about his weight and appearance. We decided to send him to Wellspring Adventure Camp. When he returned the changes were immediately noticeable to me and others in his life. It wasn't just the weight loss; his whole demeanor appeared to change. To say he was enthusiastic about the low fat diet is an understatement. Once we got home he was comfortable with himself. His positive attitude has carried over into every part of life. The fact that he has been able to take control of his weight and succeeded seems to have made him realize that he can take control of other aspects of his life and he seems to relish the new independence. He is a much happier person.

Julie Jensen, Chevy Chase, MD

Ted is doing fantastic. He lost 25 lbs at camp and has lost another 10 lbs since he's been home. My husband's lost 15 lbs. Ted started middle school this year which was a scary thought for all of us. Much to all of our surprise, the adjustment has been minimal. The school is a charter school which draws kids from all over the city, so everyone is new. No one knows that he used to be heavy; he's had the opportunity to start over in so many ways. Without all the social pressures, his academics are way up; he tested into enriched math. Not that he ever lacked the capability, he lacked the motivation. He has many new friends and is playing flag football for his school. He ran for and got an officer position in his temple youth group. A year ago, he would never have considered running for an office. At home, his behavior is cooperative. Someone commented to me recently how his whole demeanor has changed. Wellspring was life changing for Ted in such a positive way. Teresa and CBT were able to bring out his potential in ways that we could never have imagined. The thought of sending an eleven year old off for 8 weeks 2,000 miles away was risky, but we received a gem back!
THANK YOU!!!

Marci Powers, Albuquerque, NM

My 11 year old daughter, Motria, attended the Wellsping Adventure Camp in North Carolina, for the second four-week session in 2007. Motria lost 20 pounds in four weeks! This was astounding to me! I picked Motria up at the airport in Montreal and I couldn’t believe my eyes. When I dropped her off at camp, she was a chubby little girl, when I picked her up, she was tall and slim!. I could hardly recognize her. More than her looks, her attitudes about food and eating changed dramatically.

I was and still am so pleased, that I could just hug all of you guys, and I really wish that there could be a Wellspring Camp in Canada. Since coming back home, Motria has lost an additional 10 pounds and even better, I personally, have been on the HOP program and have lost 22 pounds!! Motria’s self esteem has sky rocketed. At school, she is now popular and one of the teachers has now nick-named her “Model”. All the girls that didn’t want to play with her last year are now clamoring to play with her this year. She is able to buy nicer clothing, and she looks better in dresses and all clothes!

I don’t know how to thank Wellspring! Had I known how good the program was and how successful, Motria would be, I would have arranged her to attend the eight-week program.
Thank you!

Dana Chylsta, Winnipeg, MB Canada

Our daughter Steph spent several weeks with you two summers ago now. She is a completely different kid, huge weight loss, eats wisely - better than anyone in the house and her esteem and anything else you might list have soared.It helped to go through a growing spurt with the better diet and exercise too. But kudos to you, she is a wise eater.......and a completely different kid. Thank you.

Tim Manning, Round Hill, VA