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Wellspring California offers campers a life-changing summer. A huge boost in confidence, new friends, improved health, more motivation at home and school, and a whole new outlook on life—these are just a few of the ways in which campers’ lives improve dramatically.

Catie B., Conroe, TX
Lost 18 pounds at Wellspring California and another 27 pounds at home.

FROM CATIE'S MOM…

Catie had so much fun and made so many friends at Wellspring. Never in a million years did either of us think she could do the things that she accomplished at camp, but she did it! Now, she's lost almost 50 pounds (18 at camp and another 27 at home).

Yesterday she even completed her first day of holiday boot camp at the YMCA and she was beaming when she got home, saying it felt great to be able to say she did it!

Wellspring gave me back my daughter - with a newfound confidence! Today - thanks to Wellspring - she knows there's nothing she can't accomplish!

Kylee D., Simi Valley, CA
Lost 20 pounds at Wellspring California and has continued to lose weight at home.

LIFE-CHANGING SUCCESS…

My experience at Wellspring was life changing. Before I attended camp, I tried all kinds of different diets. None of them worked for me. Going to Wellspring put me in a controlled environment which gave me time to learn that I didn't need all of the junk I ate before. I was never hungry or felt like I was missing anything. The food was great!

While I was at Wellspring we had a lot of fun. We went hiking, camping, surfing, and did lots of other fun activities on campus. They also taught us how to cook healthy foods that still taste good.

BETTER GRADES AND FEELING GREAT…

Losing all of that weight made me more energetic, more confident, and I'm also getting better grades. Because of my experience at Wellspring California, I feel like there is nothing I cannot do.  THANK YOU WELLSPRING.

Denise M., Lancaster, CA
Lost 28 pounds at Wellspring California and an additional 37 pounds (so far!) at home.

I'm doing fantastic! I've lost a total of 65 lbs. now!!! I'm sticking to the program very nicely since I've been back. I keep active and watch what I eat.

Wellspring California campers say…

"Wellspring literally saved me.  My quality of life was crap before I came - now I am SO happy."

"Thank you so much for taking me through the journey of a lifetime!  I cannot express how appreciative enough or how thankful I am.  I would recommend Wellspring to anyone!"

"Wellspring has been the best camp ever and I lost more weight than my goal.  My goal was 30 lbs. and I lost 38 lbs.  This has been the best summer yet.  Wellspring, thanks for EVERYTHING!"

The Parent Perspective on Wellspring California…

Our superstar is doing great. She told me she just finished her 90-days of self -monitoring and is planning on continuing forever. She has maintained her weight loss and probably lost more weight. She looks really wonderful and is so happy with the results from Camp. Her transformation was wonderful.  She says she's not on a diet - it's a lifestyle change and it's changed all of our lives. 

She just finished volleyball season and started practicing for basketball (her love) this week. Their coach really works them hard so needless to say she is getting lots of exercise. She is finishing up all her applications for college and has already been accepted to the University of Oregon. 

We are all thankful for Lindsey's trip to Wellspring this summer and her experience has changed our relationship with food. Art who has never had an issue with food is so supportive and is on the bandwagon too. Lindsey keeps on touch with lots of her friends from camp. We are going to Italy this summer and she is planning on visiting Ellie in Paris and some of her other European friends. What a great life this kid has! We are so proud of her and she has worked very hard in school and on her physical and mental health.

Lori L., Los Angeles, CA

John is continuing to do amazingly well.  He is still very much on the program - self-monitors his own diet and avoids fat like its geometry homework or something.  He ended up losing about 50lbs; I'm not sure he really needs to lose more at this point.

Most impressive to me has been his adoption of Water Polo.  He's joined a club team and practices hard for two hours, four times a week. He loves it!  Big turn-around for him, especially with a sport you have to do in a Speedo! But he's looking great.

Doug G., Misson Viejo, CA

First of all, I want to express my sincere gratitude to Jude Wood.  I was always able to reach her either by phone or email and if she wasn't able to answer a question, she made it a point to get me the answer as quickly as possible.  Being away from my daughter for eight weeks was very difficult.  Jude was always there to hold my hand and was able to take the time to see how my daughter was doing and then emailing me the updates. Priceless! 

My daughter really enjoyed J.J. and Rick her counselors.  They kept her spirits up and that allowed her to walk the 30,000 + steps daily.  Becky her BC was always there for her if she had a problem or was feeling home-sick...  She also helped her with any question she may have had with her SMJ.  Marianna has already expressed to me that she misses Wellspring Camp and the friends that she met this summer.  The only thing she will not miss is the extreme heat of Reedley California!  If you ever need me to talk to any new parents, I would be more than happy to do so!

Helen A., San Diego, CA

I wanted to update you on Caroline's (and her family's) progress with the Wellspring Plan.  I am pleased to say that Caroline has continued to wholeheartedly endorse the Plan.  She has modified the eating plan only slightly and has managed to stay on the plan and continue to lose weight.  She has modified her diet slightly to include a few extra calories which is fine given the demands of water polo.  She has still stuck with the less than 20 grams of fat per day and has been filling out her SMJ daily on-line. The demands of water polo have covered the 10,000 steps portion of the plan.

Her dad and I are so pleased and excited for her and she is even happier.  I took her clothes shopping last week and she really liked how she looked in her skinny jeans.  I am also very excited because she had her first water polo game yesterday and it was great.  She was moved up to varsity and in her first varsity game she scored 4 goals! She plays on the same team as her sister, Monica, which is really fun for all of us. Caroline is much fitter - much faster in the water and is a force to be reckoned with as a water polo player.  We took her to see her pediatrician last week and for once it was a positive experience.  We normally dread going to see her doctor but at this appointment we were all smiling! It was just such a wonderful moment. She definitely has control over her eating - it no longer has control over her.

As a family, it has been an adjustment as we all have different dietary needs.  I make lunch for Caroline most days so that has worked well.  I have learned to plan ahead - weigh out snacks and put them in baggies so that I am prepared to make lunches. Cooking continues to be a challenge but I am finding some meals that we all like. Caroline's dad has also been buying non-fat foods and cooking meals that she can eat. He is the cook in the family so that helps! Caroline has been adamant about not eating anything that she can't measure for fat content. 

I just want you to know that this camp has been a miracle for Caroline.  We had tried so many things with some success but nothing really significant.  Caroline had to be ready to take charge of her own eating habits.  We, as her parents, were available to her to help her out but we did not always know how to. The immersion in the camp allowed her to break her bad habits and to have success in healthy eating and weight loss.  Now that she has been successful, there is nothing that can stop her!  This has not been an easy process and I am sure that there will be challenges along the way but that is o.k. 

Thanks to you and the other counselors for all the support to Caroline and to our family!

Lori S., Hayward, CA

I can't say enough about how great Wellspring is.  I was an overweight child myself and know the difficulties it possesses both physically and emotionally.  It took me until I was almost 35 to learn and understand losing weight.   That is why I am so grateful for the experience Zach had and what he learned.  It changed his life and I know he won't have the same struggles as I did.  If there is anything Zach or I can do to get the word out there about Wellspring and what kids learn with the program please let me know happy to help in any way we are able to.

Robin H., Woodland Hills, CA

My daughter's experience at Wellspring has had a tremendous effect on us as a family. Since coming home, my daughter has lost 10 more pounds. My husband who has become totally obsessed with the program has lost 35-pounds, and I myself who had plateaud with a small amount of weight that I needed to lose finally lost it and I am now at my ideal goal weight.
The Family Workshop that we attended when my daughter "graduated" Wellspring was invaluable. It re-educated our way of thinking and eating about food, and showed as all the ingredients to make the right choices to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We are indebted to all the great people at Wellspring Camps.

Gina S., Agoura Hills, CA

I cannot begin to tell you the joy I felt when I went to pick up my son from your camp.  It was similar to the joy I felt on the day of his birth.  He looked amazing.  Not only did he lose all that weight, but his skin was clear and his complexion was glowing.  He now has more self confidence and is more social than before the weight loss. His behavior has also improved drastically.

Another important thing is that he knows so much more about health and nutrition.  He is teaching the whole family what to eat and to follow the same program that he has learned.  I myself have lost 10-pounds since he came back.  Our entire family is more conscious about what foods we eat.  We are all trying to stay below 20 grams of fat per day.  In conclusion, this was the BEST thing we ever did for our son.   Thank you so much for everything.

Summer I., Upland, CA

My daughter struggled with her weight since she was about five-years-old.  It was so discouraging.  We had been to dieticians and doctors and programs for years with no success.  The Wellspring program afforded her a simple, workable program and the support to stick to it.  Because she was in a controlled environment for eight weeks, she really had the chance to master the knowledge and the discipline needed for long-term success. 
She lost over 30-pounds while at camp, but the better news is that she's lost another 17-pounds in the six weeks she's been home.  She came home, not only with the desire to maintain the discipline, but also with the tools to do it.

She sent me a list of foods to purchase before she came home.  She has taken over most of the meal planning and shopping lists.  She records everything that she eats in her journal every day.  Both of us are extremely happy that she is not feeling deprived or hungry, but rather in control. Her commitment is unwavering. Her goal is to lose 13 more pounds by Christmas and we have no doubt that she will reach that goal.

She will tell you that camp was one of the hardest things she has ever done, but also that it was one of the most fun and best growing experiences of her life.  She made great friends and found an inner strength and resolve that she didn't know she had.  Both of us would recommend the experience to any teenager who wants to get control of their weight!

Kym M., Nederland, CO

This New Year finds an amazing change in our whole family due to Wellspring Camps.  When our son Cody first approached us about going to Wellspring, it was his expressed desire that my husband, myself and his older brother lose weight and become healthier, not just himself. We made the decision that we would learn as much as possible about the Wellspring program and what Cody would be doing and then mirror this at home.  Your Family Workshop weekend helped us to understand even more completely what we needed to do to help Cody continue on his weight loss goals.  As of January 1, 2009, Cody, his Mom and his Dad have lost over 120- pounds and are in our best physical condition in many years.

Cody really wanted his older brother Brandon to lose weight and because of how well the family has done, Brandon will now be attending a Wellsprings Adult Retreat this January.  Thank you very much for our healthy and thinner family.

Abbie R., Northridge, CA 

We are so pleased with Kathryn's success!!!! She is continuing to lose weight, and even more her attitude toward food, nutrition, life and her future is so exciting. It appears Kathryn needs to lose about fifteen more pounds to get to a healthy weight, but she is doing great. We as a family are so excited for her. We are so thankful that we chose Wellspring to give her that great start; now she will continue to lose and I have no doubt with her new attitude and desire she will keep it off and have a much happier high school experience and life.

On October 2nd, she is going to have a return visit with her pediatrician who gave her a physical and sent her off a month or so before she left for Wellspring with a little apprehension.  I am looking so forward for him to see her because not only will he be amazed at her weight loss, but she is physically feeling better because of the nutritional program you provided and her mental attitude has changed. Family and friends that have not seen Kathryn and then run into her say, "You look all lit up." Thank you for facilitating this amazing change.

Debbie D., San Jose, CA  

The Wellspring camp experience was life changing for our daughter. Lauren learned many critical life skills that will serve her well as she grows into adulthood; namely how to set a goal, work hard towards its realization and most importantly, how to celebrate herself! The change in her self-esteem, outlook and confidence is marvelous to behold. While Lauren will be the first to tell you that camp is tough at times, that being away from home, eating differently and being active were big changes for her, she will also tell you that it is well worth the effort and that it made her a new person.

Karen and Dave M., Flagstaff, AZ

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