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A summer at Wellspring Hawaii results in dramatic changes in our campers’ lives—great new friendships, more motivation at school and home, improved health, greater confidence, and a whole new outlook on life.

Marena D., Kamuela, HI
Lost 20 pounds at camp and an additional 20 pounds (and counting!) at home.

DREADING 4 WEEKS AT CAMP…

My name is Marena and I am 16 years old. I am NOT the type of person in to sports and exercise. I am singer and an actress. Last summer, I came across Wellspring and thought it would be terrible. I went in with the mindset that I was about to encounter the worst four weeks of my life and I would just hold my breath and work as hard as I could until it was over. I did not in any way think I would have fun or enjoy anything I did. After two days I was already having so much fun!

AMAZING FOOD AND GREAT FRIENDS…

We did so many different activities. My favorites were- Karate, Swimming, Dance, Yoga, Pilates, and Canoeing. I also thoroughly enjoyed Culinary. To my surprise, the food was AMAZING. I have been going to sleep away camps since I was 10 years old and the experiences I’ve had at all these camps put together doesn’t even compare to the experience I had at Wellspring. I lost 20 pounds in 4 weeks and by 3 months after camp, I lost 40 in total.

The friendships I made at Wellspring are the strongest friendships I have with anyone and I still talk to so many of these people every day. My roommate is my best friend and I love her and all my other friends from Wellspring so much! Wellspring changed my life forever. I’m so happy I went and I learned so much and gained (and lost ;] ) so much from this experience.

Wellspring Hawaii campers say…

"In the end I lost 32 pounds.  I was very happy.  Staff was great, food was great, people were nice and helpful and activities were good.  The camp experience overall was good and I am happy.  Thanks!"

"This camp experience changed me for the better.  I loved it and I had an awesome time.  The staff was amazing!”

More Wellspring Success…

Hank S., Vero Beach, FL
Lost 63 pounds at camp and an additional 30 pounds at home.

FEELING UNBELIEVABLY DIFFERENT…

Going to Wellspring gave me the tools I needed to achieve lifelong weight loss. I was 293 pounds on June 3rd, 2009 and lost 63 pounds during camp by August 8th, 2009. Since I have been home I have continued to use the program along with my Dad and am now down another 30 pounds since getting home from Wellspring and weigh 195 pounds.  My father has lost 30 pounds as he continues to get his steps by walking 9 holes of golf each evening after work and is down to 220 pounds also.  We use the program together and that’s what helps me keep going. The parents training classes on July 4th weekend helped him get a head start and have the house and kitchen prepared for my return home in August. 

No one can ever believe the difference this has made in my life.  Can you even imagine the difference in the way I feel after leaving school for the summer at 300 pounds and returning at almost 200 pounds? The way people now treat me compared to before and the way I feel about myself is so wonderful. 

It was very hard work during camp and sometimes you felt like you could give up but the staff and your fellow campers all pull together and encourage each other to keep pushing.  In the end, I believe it is the most positive life changing experience an overweight kid can ever go though. Thank you Wellspring!

Parents Talk About Wellspring Hawaii…

You gave us our son back…how do you put a price on that?  You should see him! He is energetic, happy, outgoing, confident, works out daily, looking forward to school starting next week.  He is at his goal weight and participates in family food choices. The shock and awe on family and friends faces when Trevor came home has been fitting for a video clip that would be played over and over on YouTube.

I owe you more than what you will ever know; with the sincerest of thanks and tears welling in my eyes I will close this note.

Mary D., Henderson, NV

My name is Elizabeth Gousse, Asia's mom. I was one of the parents who attended the Family Workshop.  First off, I would like to mention that I really did not know what to expect. What you see in pictures and on the Internet could not compare to the smell in the air, and beautiful natural surroundings of the camp grounds!

I felt that my journey to Hilo was just as important and necessary as sending my daughter to the Wellspring Program and would highly recommend it to any parent considering this path for their child. I was able to see my daughter Asia transform (which blew me away). I felt connected instantly to the program and its methods. The counselors were wonderful they were prideful of their campers and my daughter Asia.  That gave me a glimpse of what type of influence and support she was exposed to for eight long weeks.

The living quarters were raw and natural and blended beautifully with the environment.  I was over the moon when I saw how at ease Asia felt with this arrangement. The counselors ran a tight ship and everyone was willing and able to accomplish their tasks with ease. They had a multitude of workshops planned throughout the day which I found informative and validating! They provided textbooks and a food guide (which is Asia’s weapon against fat!) and food journal (SMJ) which keeps her honest and accountable.

The food was amazing! I could not stop imagining what eight weeks of virtually fat-free/low-fat delicious meals dished up by Chef Will must have tasted like!

Can't wait for the cookbook which is another important tool, tailor made by the Wellspring Hawaii team.  This will benefit the entire family. Thanks.

My daughter has shed pounds and gained the confidence that she possessed. She is armed with knowledge about herself and others. Now pointed in the right direction, Asia is well on her way to being all she can be!

Deep heartfelt thanks go out to each and every person and counselor who had a direct impact on Asia and who gave of themselves selflessly to uplift her and other young people going through probably the toughest journey of their lives.  Thank you.

Max and Elizabeth G., Newhall, CA

Attending Wellspring Hawaii was the best decision we ever made. I can now say that I do see a successful and "lasting" change in behavior. Our daughter lost about 35-pounds in eight-weeks. She's been home for more than two-months and her weight has not fluctuated more than a pound or two. She eats very low-fat and makes wise choices.

She's been out with friends and at functions where food is a challenge.  It's like she has an inner strength to rise above the temptations. She completed her first quarter of 8th grade with 1st honors - the best grades she's ever received!!  She feels so good about herself.

She takes more interest in her looks and even asked to have her hair cut. She went through all of her clothes and tossed all the baggie shirts and pants. She felt so proud. We are looking at private high schools and some are really academically tough. She tells me "Mom, I want that!  I am so ready to take tough classes and study hard!" It's like something woke up inside of her. She's excited about life. She's organized in her school work. She does dishes without grumbling. How can you put a price on this?

One thing I learned: when she came home, I was very anxious that she would gain the weight all back. I wasn't sure I could mimic what she had at camp. I realized that I needed to just relax and give my daughter some credit. As a family, we continue to support her by making sure we have all the right foods in the house. The overeating is something that she just doesn't do anymore. She feels so good and knows what overeating does to her body. She doesn't ever want to be at that heavy weight again. It's awesome!

Wellspring Hawaii was the best thing for my daughter.  It's like she's out of her shell and ready to take on the world.  How wonderful is that?  Thank you.  Words can not nearly express my gratitude. 

Cyndy K., Oahu, HI

Wellspring Hawaii was a great experience for my son Jesse. He lost 36-pounds in the two months that he was there. He has maintained this weight loss since he has been home. Our entire family has continued the program and we have lost a total of 90-pounds with more to go. I think Hawaii was a good place for Jesse to go because everyone he talked to was so enthusiastic about Hawaii.

The location of the camp was beautiful, and safe. Jesse made good friends and became knowledgeable about nutrition and exercise. Camp has been a life changing experience for my son. He is much less depressed and reclusive. He is now a normal teen, always with friends, and is even getting better grades. I wish more of the unhappy obese kids I see would be able to attend Wellspring Hawaii.

Julie A., Santa Cruz, CA

In short, I feel that the Wellspring program was truly a transformative event for Ethan and for our family as a whole.  He made fast friends with the other program participants and joined a community of weight loss/healthy obsession devotees!  The program staff fostered a tremendous sense of community and caring, which in turn encouraged Ethan to realize his health and weight loss goals.  

I personally found the Family Workshop to be extremely helpful.  Over the years, we have tried as a family to help Ethan lose weight, but lack of clear structure and guidelines have been a problem.  Wellspring provided us with the information we needed to reconsider our household nutrition and develop a home support system for him that by all measurements, seems to be a huge success.  Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to help Ethan.

Linda K., Brookline, MA

Firstly, I would like to let you know that Ashleigh is doing really well and has continued to lose weight since we came home. She is currently going to a Wellness Clinic every Saturday to keep her focused. The best thing that came out of Wellspring Hawaii was that Ashleigh finally took ownership of her weight issues, something we had been unable to get her to do at home. She had an awesome experience with the activities she would probably never have tried here at home. I strongly believe that being in a controlled environment was the best way to help her change habits.

It wasn’t an experience just about her weight.  She matured so much being in that environment and this has shown in other areas of her life at home and school. Being around other teenagers with the same issues was an enormous benefit to her. The whole package that Wellspring offers with the support structure and behavioural coaching made it not just about the food choices and I would recommend Wellspring to anyone that was considering it for their teenager, especially those parents who feel they have tried and said everything to make a difference. It definitely was a turning-point for Ashleigh, so a big THANK YOU to Wellspring Hawaii.

Lisa M., Benowa Queensland, Australia

I am writing to tell you about our family’s life-changing experience. This past spring I was looking online and found Wellspring Hawaii. It sounded great. I knew Hawaii would interest her. So plans were made and off she went. Olivia stayed four-weeks. Olivia came home from camp with a 14 lb. weight loss.  Four-months post camp we have made a complete lifestyle change. As of today, Olivia has lost 40 lbs. I have lost about 25 lbs and even Alexis who is 7-years-old and a normal height and weight told me she now only buys "healthy snacks at school" like pretzels.

Olivia told me just last week "Camp was the best thing that ever happened to me Mom, it completely changed my life." I just want to say thank you Wellspring Hawaii. Olivia is a beautiful girl who went from a size 19/20 to a 13/14 and continues to get daily compliments on her weight loss. Also thank you for the wake up call we are a much happier healthier family and we owe it all to you!!!!!

Mary Jo C., Thaxton, MS

My daughter Lehua attended the 1st Session in June. I noticed the difference when she came home; she talked a lot about her new friends, she said the hiking trips were awesome, and the rafting was an experience she will never forget. The culinary, nutrition, and also her individual BC sessions helped her a lot. She is more confident in herself and is more conscientious of what she eats. She checks the calories and fat content of everything we buy when we are at the market! She was never the active type but to my surprise she joined the powder puff team at school (a flag football team for girls).

Sending her to Wellspring was the best decision I could have made. I wish she could have stayed longer. I am happy to say Lehua has lost a little more weight but mainly maintained what she lost at camp. The Continuing-Care program is a great idea; it keeps her on track with what she eats everyday.  Although my daughter Lehua still has a long way to go to reach her ideal weight, I know that with the tools and knowledge that Wellspring has provided, she will not only reach her goal but at the same time be a healthier person.

Carole M., Ewa Beach, HI

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