Stories from Parents
We were not looking for a quick fix to our daughter's weight problem, rather a life changing experience, and at Wellspring Camp we found exactly what we were searching for. It was during the Family Workshop (at the 4 week mark) that my husband and I realized this was the best investment we could have ever made for our entire family. Our daughter was overflowing with new energy and information and we were right behind her - eager to learn more along with her. After 8 weeks, and 40 lbs lighter, she is home and still thriving. Our entire household has converted to being life long weight controllers, not just our daughter. We have so many things in common, so many things to talk about and do together - it is amazing! Many young girls who are overweight experience depression, Hillary was one of them. While at camp, she felt so much better that she was able to stop taking one of her medications for depression and is almost completely off of the last (tapering down slowly to avoid problems). I believe that this would not have happened so quickly had she not been at Wellspring Camp where she received daily support from the counselors, endless outdoor activities, and one-on-one behavioral sessions. At this point, all I can say is THANK YOU for everything. She wants to be a part of Wellspring Camp for long time - what an impression!
Kristin Hanson - Battle Creek, MI
We are very pleased that Olivia has had such a successful summer. Every phone call indicated great satisfaction with her accomplishments and a strong regard for the Wellspring program and its professionals. A happy Olivia is the best recommendation in our eyes to the thoughtfulness and effectivenessof the program. Thank you again to your team. It means the world to us to hear our child so happy, satisfied and proud of her work this summer.
We wish ongoing success to your organization. It is a thoughtful approach and a great service to a growing health problem in the US.
Donna Moses, Kenilworth, IL
Motria lost 20 pounds in four weeks! This was astounding to me! I picked Motria up at the airport 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
Jordie has been keeping her self-monitoring going and we are seeing such a change in her. We thank you so very much for all of the skills that you have helped her with. She is now a weight controller and we have a much happier and more active daughter. We saw stress as Jordie went back into her circle of friends and especially when she went into a birthday swimming party situation. She called me from the party to look up "Texas Sheet Cake" and when I told her that I knew that it was loaded with fat and sugar she promptly said, "I am so glad that I brought my bag of pretzels with me!!" She has now made the transition into friends and we know that she is telling them that she is not going to eat junk but eat more healthfully. Her friends are picking up better eating habits as well. Jordie is busy every day with golf as the high school program started the day she returned from NY. She is not having any trouble meeting her goal of steps and continues to eat nutritiously. My husband and I have also lost about 10 pounds each and have never felt better. Thank you for helping our daughter out of a downward spiral.
Sincerely,
Barb Newton - Columbus, IN
Jeanette is staying on task and she is getting lots of positive reinforcement from friends, family, etc. She is at 26 lbs down now and bought a new two piece bathing suit to wear in Hawaii over Christmas break. She wants less tummy to show..... Thanks for everything.
Jane Graebner - Ostrander, OH
I cannot tell you what a differencecamp has made in Jack’s life, in all of our lives. He came back from camp a new young man. He was and remains very proud of himself. He has continued to watch what he eats and encourages us all to eat healthy. He exercises everyday after school.
The seniors at his high school have been very impressed with the freshman who is so committed that he works out every afternoon. I really think the therapeutic part of Wellspring is what makes it stand head and shoulders above all others. There are many weight loss camps, but that is not the outstanding part. The therapeutic part is what changes lives. My son is so proud of himself and his approach to life is “what will I do”, not what can I do. It is very unfortunate that you only accept kids with weight problems because there are so many more kids who need help with issues of self esteem. You have such an excellent approach that I hope you expand into other areas of need.
I will tell you that Jack has lost much more weight. He looks great and seems to have changed his life. He continues to monitor our food. I loved the parents’ weekend and everything about the camp. The staff was remarkable and very well trained. It was just wonderful and truly couldn’t be happier.
Candace Grover, Cleveland, OH
Pedometers and counting fat grams will be our new way of life. Joe is going to be educating us at the grocery store and also how to prepare the meals.
I am having a welcome home party for Joe with his family and he is so excited to show everyone, especially his brother and sister what he has accomplished. He has already set the menu of grilled skinless marinated chicken breast, with portabella mushroom on a low fat whole grain bun with low fat marinara sauce and rice on the side. I have emptied the refrigerator and Joe and I will be going to the store to start a new way of life, with healthy choices.
We want to thank you and all the Wellspring staff for dedicating your lives to helping young people return to healthy lifestyle.
Going to Wellspring is the most important thing Joe has ever done. He is so happy with the results. I hope we will be able to talk to you in the future for your advice and guidance in continuing the great work you have provided.
Russel Landis, Oak Lawn, IL
My son weighed 178 pounds and was 5’3”, was failing 8th grade, would stay in his room and watch TV all day, and would tell me he had sleeping problems. He couldn’t sleep at night, couldn’t breath right, did not bathe or brush his teeth. All in all, he was quite depressed and seemed to have given up on life.
I began to search online for help. I had inquired about Wellspring and was directed to the Adventure summer camp. My son looked through the brochures and we signed up. I have to admit, I was very unsure about leaving my son for 2 months. I believe this was the most difficult part for me. I did not see him until the final day!! When I did, I was amazed!!
When I first drove through the entrance of the camp, I noticed a few kids sitting on the fence..I saw this kid wearing a very familiar shirt, but the kid inside did not quite fill it out as I had remembered...It wasn’t until he acknowledged me and came up to me that Damn...this rather slim boy is my son!! Beaming with a smile I thought he would never have again!! He reminded me of the little kid he was 5 years ago. Hell, he even looked like he did 5 years ago!!! I was choked up!!
I am to this day astounded by his achievement.
But this isn’t all...When we left camp that night, Chris was extremely nervous about returning to the REAL world! He was chewing off his nails and quite concerned about “temptations” I told Chris that we will do what we can to make temptations as less an option as we possibly can, and let’s do this one day at a time!
Our first morning, we of course had no non-fat food, so we decided to walk to the store. We had a blast!! Chris, his buddy Jeremy, sister Amintha and myself headed out on what ended up to be a fun adventure!! Chris carried a 12-pack of water on his back!!! 4 miles!!! Or more!!! We walked about 8 miles in all to the store and back. He knew what to buy, where and how to read packages, and what was good for you and what wasn’t!! AWESOME I thought!!! This was like a dream come true! Our first day home with Chris, he walked over 30,000 steps (we hiked around in the mountains after shopping), then after travel day, Chris started soccer and did about 27,000 steps with practicing 2X a day.
With Chris as our trainer, Amintha has lost 5 pounds and I have lost 3.5 pounds. At 5’5”, Chris is now down to 145 lbs. since Monday.
I forgot to mention: the neighbors gave Chris a welcome back party and baked brownies and had chips and dip. The other kids were taunting Chris by eating the brownies in front of him and making mmmm sounds. Chris just laughed at them and grabbed some grapes and went mmmm back at them!!! I was impressed!! He would not touch any high-fat foods! We all ended up playing balloon volleyball in the basement over the streamers!!!
I can only say that not only has it changed my sons life, but I can see his first year in high school as more enjoyable.
Thanks to you guys!!
Julia Theriault - Pataskala, OH
