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The Wellspring Plan: A Lifelong Approach that Works

Wellspring Adventure Camp, unlike fat camp and weight loss boot camp, has an approach to fitness and weight loss that is based on decades of experience and research on what science has shown works for initial and long-term success. Led by leading experts in the field, including Dr. Daniel Kirschenbaum, Wellspring’s Clinical Director and a professor at Northwestern University Medical School, as well by Wellspring’s renowned Scientific Advisory Board, we continually refine and improve our renowned approach to ensure lasting success.

Wellspring Adventure Camp results have been presented at international conferences for obesity as well as covered by newspapers and television programs around the world. Why? Because Wellspring campers have consistently lost an average of 4.0 lbs. per week while at camp. More importantly, 70% of campers have maintained this weight loss or continued losing weight at home, a result virtually unprecedented in the history of weight loss programs for any age group.

The Wellspring Plan is based on simple, scientific, and sustainable changes, including:

Low-Fat, Low-Density Diet: Campers eat delicious and nutritious food at camp, learning that food that is good can be good for you, too. The Wellspring diet satisfies hunger and is the optimal diet to counteract the biological and environmental factors that contribute to weight gain. Importantly, it’s also a very simple diet which all children and teens are able to follow themselves –Adventure Camp campers learn simple ways to prepare these foods at home, how to find these foods in the grocery stores, and how to order this way at restaurants. Therefore, parents no longer have to act as the “food police.” At Adventure Camp, as we’re often out and about, campers learn simple, healthy meals and snacks are options, no matter where they are.

Activity Management: Unlike complex teen fitness programs, at Adventure Camp each camper strives to reach at least 10,000 steps per day, but with the exciting adventure activities available at Adventure Camp, we find many campers easily exceed 20,000 steps per day—without even trying! Some even exceed 30,000 steps per day, particularly when we’re on adventure expeditions. Campers enjoy an amazing array of activities, games, and sports that allow them to be active and really have fun! The exciting activities at Wellspring Adventure Camp motivate campers to continue this progress at home.

Lifestyle Change: Unlike traditional weight loss camps, diet camps or fat camps, Wellspring employs Masters- and Doctoral-level therapists trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help campers make the changes in diet and activity permanent. This training helps campers improve goal-setting, stress management skills, and coping skills for “bad days”. CBT has proven effective and vital to the successful long-term weight control of our campers. Camps without trained, Masters- and Doctoral level therapists working regularly in CBT sessions with campers are simply diet camps or fat camps.

Family Involvement: Families are strongly encouraged to join us for two-day Family Workshops. In two days, you will learn about the biology of weight loss, the Wellspring fitness and weight loss approach, and most importantly, specifically how to support your son or daughter at home and maximize his or her opportunity to return to a healthy weight and remain there, permanently. Parents learn the best strategies for supporting their new weight controller, in good times, and when their child is struggling.

Continuing Care: When Wellspring Adventure Camp is over, the success does not end. Campers participate in a ONE YEAR Continuing Care program, continuing to work with their Behavioral Coach from camp, self-monitoring, and communicating with fellow campers online.

Each and every facet of the Wellspring program -- diet, activity, cognitive-behavioral therapy, culinary education, nutrition education, family involvement, and continuing care — is based on decades of experience and research on what works for initial and sustained weight loss.

Wellspring Adventure Camp in North Carolina is not a traditional weight loss camp or fat camp, but rather among the most effective options available to help your child return to a healthy weight.

Learn more about Obesity Research and Dr. Dan Kirschenbaum »

Wellspring Camps Rated Best Weight Loss Camps by Consumer Digest »