The Wellspring Plan:
Proven Approach for Long-Term Weight Loss
Wellspring Pennsylvania’s approach to fitness and weight loss 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 professor from Northwestern University, as well by Wellspring’s renowned Scientific Advisory Board, we continually refine and improve our already world-leading approach to ensure lasting success.
Wellspring camper 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 4.25 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 can’t expect to be successful at home unless the food they eat is familiar and tastes good. Wellspring campers learn to enjoy a low-fat, low-density diet that is nutritious and delicious. This diet satisfies hunger and is the optimal diet to counteract the biological and environmental factors that contribute to weight gain. It’s also a very simple diet which all children and teens are able to follow themselves – campers learn simple ways to prepare these foods at home, how to order this way at restaurants, and how to find these foods in their grocery stores.
Activity Management: Campers achieve at least 10,000 steps each day through a range of exciting teen fitness activities, and also just by “getting our steps in” through walks and hikes. Many of our campers exceed 20,000 or more steps per day. The exciting activities at Wellspring motivate campers to continue this progress at home.
Lifestyle Change: Unlike traditional weight loss camps or fat camps in Pennsylvania, 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 is done by helping 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 designed to teach families about the biology of weight loss, the Wellspring fitness and weight loss approach, and most importantly, how you can support your son or daughter at home. Parents learn the best strategies for maximizing support for their new weight controller, in good times, and when their child is struggling.
Continuing Care: When Wellspring Pennsylvania 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.
Every facet of the Wellspring program -- diet, activities, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family involvement, and continuing care — is based on decades of experience and research on what works for initial and sustained weight loss.
Wellspring Pennsylvania is not a traditional weight loss camp or fat camp in Pennsylvania, 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 »
