The Future of Fat Camps

These camps are a sham, just like the diet/weight loss industry is as well. The only thing they have to offer are 1) Perhaps more planned exercise and 2) a fake community where everyone has the same issue (sort of)--although the article stated the girl reported being teased even at this 'safe haven'.
When summer's over and kids head back to school, they'll be confronted again with the junk awaiting them in their cafeterias and in the real world. It'll take more than just fat camp to help our children. Much more. And it ain't about willpower anymore, either.

Adam Wilk

Although diet camps are not a sham, they fail to address the root cause of the problem. I have learned that I don't need willpower every day. I only need willpower when I go grocery shopping. I fill my house with healthy foods, and then I have no choice but to eat healthy foods.

Children and teens do not have this luxury. School lunches are usually heavy in processed carbs and fats. They offer little in protein and fiber, which will make you feel fuller longer.

Finally, the overweight ones will get made fun of. I'm sorry that life sucks. Because food activates seratonin, eating makes us feel better mentally. That means when I get made fun of for my weight, I eat to make myself feel better. It is a nasty little cycle of events.

I remember being fat and going to summer camp every year. It wasn't a fat camp, but I always lost weight there because the food was gross and we were forced to play games, hike, and run around. Still though, when you're fat, sometimes you feel comforted to know that there are others that are fatter than you, so you feel compelled to poke fun at them. It's cruel, I know, but it's how teenagers are sometimes.

i wish they had fat camps for adults...How cool would that be? i would so go....

They DO have them, but they're called spas :) I think most of them have a one or two week "retreat" that you can go on where they make all your food and kick your butt with lots of working out. But you get to be pampered too, with body wraps, steam rooms, etc. Much better than any fat camp :)

Weight-loss camps for kids do work if they also teach balanced eating rather than forcing it on them and if they take the time to talk to each child about their weight, their diet and why they eat the way they do. It took me three summers to finally wake up and realize what the food I was eating was doing to my body. No, it isn't easy, it takes an effort to not choose the easy way out; to pick up salad and a roasted chicken rather than stopping at McD's, going for a walk rather than sitting infront of the TV all night. Do not be negative about this Adam, they are just trying to help, same as yourself.

Im an architect student and I was wondering, If there was a way to resolve the overweight issue architecturally? My thoughts on this were, if were to target this issue, we would have to do it by changing the nutrition at public schools, period! Then include some more health class more on food consumption. Also have class on agriculture, introduce the students to it by showing them how to plant and grow their own vegetables and fruits that make up their everyday nutrition.... i think schools need to think out of the box.... make each subject its own building, a campus like situation....physical activity should be introduced by simple moves. Whatever it takes for our society to change, what do you think?

i need some help my son has problems trying to stay on diet he is obeses im looking to send him away to get help please send me some brocures on your camps and programs

i am 13 years old and overweight. I cheerlead and to stay on the tteam you have to be little. I want to be skinny and in summer i hate wearinga bathing suit because of my fatness. i dont have alot of money so if anyone can find me a camp in virginia to go to to llose my weight please send it to me.

we are 14 and go to baording school and we are overweight we are sick and tired of being bullied because of our weight and we want to know if there are any camps for loosing weight in the uk if u have any options or ideas let us know please thankyou

May i please have some more information on this i don't have over $100.00 to pay so please help me i been strugging with my weight a long time

yes i am 17 in the 11th grade and i would like to be a member and i dont have much money nither tell you the truth were poor really and i would like to have help with my weight bad i'm 280 i do play football and i would like to get in shap for it i will be dedicated to work out and be the best i can be at your camp so please help me i need help, respond to me if you will thanks for you time

in am 16 and over weight i need to find a canp in vriginia i dont have like 500 dollars to spend i have like 100 maybr a little more

Nearly 22 years old was looking for a camp for this summer i am over weight i have the money to spend if anyone recommends a place for people around my age please post it thanx

im fat and need to find the best camp there is for a summer event can u sugjest an y thats in humble

hi name aida and i been trying to lose weight seven years now and i will like if you find me a camp that is suitable for me thank

hi name aida and i been trying to lose weight seven years now and i will like if you find me a camp that is suitable for me thank

I am absolutely appalled at the idea that camps like camp Shane would be considered a sham. I was a counselor and aerobics instructor there for summer ’05 and have just signed my contract for ’06 and I can honestly say that I have never been in a more focused place. And no, the focus isn’t on weight loss. Camp Shane is above all a summer camp where kids will have fun and make friends and memories that will last. I still keep in touch with many of my campers and cannot tell you how rewarding it is for me to see them take what they have learned at camp and continue to succeed in the ‘real world’. Weight loss as camp is inevitable- portion controlled non-diet foot and regular physical activity ensure this. Weight maintenance is not however which is why the camp also employs a well trained staff that teaches the campers about fitness and nutrition so that they have all the tools they need to succeed back home. Camp Shane works AND is the most amazingly fun summer you could ever hope for for a child.

Traditional fat camps are a sham. The New York Times article from June 2005 makes clear than over 50% return every year. The fat camps would have you believe it's because the programs are so fun. Well, maybe they are fun. But it's primarily because campers regain the weight year after year. The result is incredibly frustrating for campers, who become accustomed to failing.

New scientifically-based programs like Wellspring Camps are different in that they focus on changing behavior. I hope that more new programs evolve in the coming years so that these lousy fat camps will go out of business.

is there any adult fat camps in the uk

I too wish there was a fat camp for adults. I'm at least 4 stone overweight according to medical guidelines (tho, I disagree, I've been that weight and i looked anorexic).
I know we have health farms, but thats not what some of us need. Give us a camp where we can meet people, do loads of exercise, have some fun and learn about eating properly and i'm convinced we'll be motivated enough to keep to a healthy lifestyle afterwards. I dont have the willpower or stamina to stick to diets, I get bored too easily (and a chocaholic), so a camp would be ideal for me. Come on you health & fitness experts, there's an untapped market out there for you if you want it!

I have a friend who is 25+ stone and has been told he is going to die if he doesn't sort it. He is 40 years old and has always been a big guy. He has good friends around him who offer support but the time has come to get the professionals in. We are trying to find a "fat camp" in England catering for adults, they all seem aimed at the youth. PLease please help, he is a laughing buddha, but the laughter will be short lived if we don't get him the professional help he needs. Please e-mail me back with any information that will be of help, no diet plans or pills, just camps!! Many thanks.

I have a friend who is 25+ stone and has been told he is going to die if he doesn't sort it. He is 40 years old and has always been a big guy. He has good friends around him who offer support but the time has come to get the professionals in. We are trying to find a "fat camp" in England catering for adults, they all seem aimed at the youth. PLease please help, he is a laughing buddha, but the laughter will be short lived if we don't get him the professional help he needs. Please e-mail me back with any information that will be of help, no diet plans or pills, just camps!! Many thanks.

In response to your comments Jade, I too am a 46 year old women 20+ stone looking for a fat camp. There just is not the facility. I am prepared to start one! Anyone out there willing to invest with me? look forward to any comments.

I worked at Camp Shane for one summer. All the staff get drunk every night at a local bar, come back to camp late at night and sleep with each other. It was a blast. Sorry parents.

For those who want an "adult fat camp" - what about a good-quality spa? One that has a wide range of activities and classes (including classes on nutrition and cooking) and low calorie yet delicious food?

I work in the health and fitness industry as a coach and also run a website, and believe that Fat camps 'can' work, but only if the main part of the course is realistic education. The main problem with most is they offer little in the way of real world living and teach people little in what to do when the camp has finished. Add that to the fact that they often charge a massive amount of money and I can see why people don't trust them. Adult camps are growing in popularity but no doubt these too will have the sam problems. My advise would be to try and find a good trainer and just ask them for honest advice. If asked I would be more than willing to help most people if I can. I would like to add that I came from a very unfit (smoked, drank ate rubbish food) background before beginning work in this industry.

Jaynne said:
In response to your comments Jade, I too am a 46 year old women 20+ stone looking for a fat camp. There just is not the facility. I am prepared to start one! Anyone out there willing to invest with me? look forward to any comments.[...]

I am looking for a weight loss camp for my 13 year-old daughter. She has been struggling with her weight for years and now that she is middle school she is beginning to see how cruel kids can be, especially boys. I have searched the internet for camps in my area (we live in NJ) and there are two camps that I am looking into--Camp Wellsprings and Camp Pennbrook. Does anyone know anything about these camps? (i.e. personal experiences,) Their websites are designed to make them and their programs look good. I am looking for some real honesty. Can anyone offer any suggestions? Insight.

Hey All! I am 14 and in highschool. I'm schedualed to go to a "fat" camp this summer (2007)
It is going to cost 5,500 dollars for a month.

Jaynne said:
In response to your comments Jade, I too am a 46 year old women 20+ stone looking for a fat camp. There just is not the facility. I am prepared to start one! Anyone out there willing to invest with me? look forward to any comments.[...]

Jayne, I was thinking exactly the same thing. Let's start one. Please respond if you see my message.

Lana said:
Lana[...]

Stephanie said:
Jayne, I was thinking exactly the same thing. Let's start one. Please respond if you see my message.
[...]

I would like to join one this summer. Am running out of hope and energy. Let me know if you find one. Otherwise I would one day like to start one too.

i want to go to a fat camp but im not classed as obese. im 14 and there arnt any gyms that i can join because i am too young.

Latifa-
2 years ago my daughter went to Camp Pennbrook, she lost 25# and lost 26" in 8 weeks, she looked great! However, in the months following camp she gradually regained the weight. She did learn what to eat and portion control, but that wasn't enough to keep her from going back to the same non-active routine. This year she is going to Camp Wellspring in NY, we believe that behavioral modification therapy may be the answer, at Wellspring they say they will not allow the girls to come back the next year, only under extenuating circumstances. They have research and well known Dr. Kirschenbaum (author of many books) to back them up. Personally, I would never spend the money again on a regular weight loss camp.

After success in my own health regime I have written a recipe book (not yet published) and am starting a Camp. I am in New Brunswick Canada and would love to touch base with everyone to see what the interest is in such a facility. This wouldn't be a "pamper-yourself-with-spa-treatments" kind of place. Rather it is a country peaceful setting with healthy meals, gorgeous panorama and professional educated staff, run boot camp style.

Hi. I am at an adult 'fatcamp' right now! Its in Spain and run for Brits- its called Renaissance weight loss academy. I have been here six weeks and have lost 18lb so far, I can now run 4km wothout being tired and feel fab! Its worth the money and I will never go back to bad eating habits and no exercise- I feel enLIGHTened! lol

I have been thinking of openning a "fat camp" south eastern Virginia for adults and youth. This camp would be in the class of health management spas. I am trying to find out if there is any interest for this particular area.

I think fat camps are a great idea. I have looked into going to one but they are usually much too expensive. It would be great to spend a week totally focused on health and learn new strategies for working out and eating better. How about a fat camp for the average working class person instead of some posh high end spa?

I have been to an adult "fat camp" and it was amazing. I attended Camp La Jolla's Adult program. It wasnt spa like and while it was a little pricy it completly changed my life. I did excerise and change my diet and everything all the other camps I researched promised, but I also learned how to eat out, became more comfortable with who I am, made amazing friends, learned how to grocery shop and cook, and just so much more. They really put the focus on me and how I can better my life. I felt it was a well rounded program. I was at Camp La Jolla for 6 weeks and lost 25lbs. Since I left camp, 4 months ago, I have lost another 60lbs. They have a great follow up program that has helped me stay focus and really given me support. I woulf 100% recommend this program to anyone, they also have a children's program close to the women's camp that my son will be attending this summer. I love Camp La Jolla! They have helped me change my life.

I sent my child to wellsprings and was really disapointed. They are like a chain of "fat camps" they run them everywhere. My son worked well with the therapist while he was at camp - but then when he left that was it, no more contact with the person who he opened himself up to for 8 weeks. Also they guarenteed my son would loose weight based on "scientific research" which he did, but anyone who excerises too much, is not properly fed, and pumped full of water will loose weight. Duh! I would never send him back there. This summer he is going to Camp La Jolla, I have completed their adult program and loved it, so he will be attending the kids program. While it is a "fat camp" I like how they dont put so much focus on weight loss and numbers, after all they are kids. Instead their focus is on making friends and having fun, while at the same time loosing weight and becoming healthier. I also like the follow up program they offer, they are really there for you and seem to care, unlike Wellspring's chain like corporation.