Parent Program
At Wellspring Family Camp, parents learn the skills required to maximize the probability of successful long-term weight control at home. These include self-regulatory, stress reduction, and child management skills. We provide intensive education and training in these areas, focusing on interactive, engaging, and enjoyable exercises and presentations.
Given the active lifestyle and very low-fat, low-calorie-density menu at Family Camp, parents who would benefit from weight loss will certainly have the opportunity to lose weight. Parents who are at a healthy weight will discover that the activity level and menu will foster a sustainable healthy lifestyle. We strongly encourage all parents to focus on their own healthy lifestyle programs, even though this will involve weight loss for some, but not for others. The healthy lifestyle presented at camp is a very powerful model that all families can embrace at camp and once they return home. As parents often find, “walking the walk” almost always motivates their children more than “talking the talk.”
Typical Day for Parents
Every day provides numerous opportunities for parents to increase their own activity level, as well as to play and learn with their children. Parents also enjoy spending quality time with their children, away from the distractions of modern life.
The rhythm of camp takes on a life of its own. For example, every morning before breakfast we take a morning walk around the Resort.
Below is a sample day for a parent at Family Camp. Remember, parents may participate in Wellspring activities with their children, or enjoy their time on the golf course or in the spa.
- Morning walk to Lake Pinehurst and back.
- Breakfast followed by self-monitoring
- Morning parents group - stress management
- Free time – opportunity to enjoy spa
- Lunch on West Lawn, followed by self-monitoring
- Siesta time in room
- Family Activity time: select from among bike ride, driving range, or Beach Club
- Afternoon snack & tea
- Session with Behavioral Coach
- Family Class: personal training, golf or culinary
- Dinner in Carolina Dining Room followed by self-monitoring
- Family canoe race at dusk
- Movie night
- Quiet time in room
Parent Behavioral Change Program
At Family Camp, parents are actively involved in every step of the behavioral change program. Parents have individual meetings with Wellspring Behavioral Coaches two times each session. In these individual meetings, parents focus on the particular concerns of their families. Behavioral Coaches at Family Camp are Masters- and Doctoral-level psychologists and social workers under the supervision of the Clinical Director of Wellspring Camps, nationally renowned weight control expert Dr. Daniel Kirschenbaum. In addition, parents meet in small cognitive-behavioral groups with behavioral coaches two times each session. In these sessions, parents develop an understanding of how their thinking and behavior might be impacting their own diet and activity patterns, as well as those of their child. While at camp, parents of younger children (ages 5-9) learn how to monitor their child’s eating and activity level to help guide them to learn to make much healthier decisions at camp and after returning home. Parents of older children (10-14) focus on learning how to support their children. Letting children take ownership of their successes and challenges encourages them to take much of the initiative in the process.
Throughout the session, parents also participate in daily small Cognitive Behavior Therapy groups led by the Behavioral Coaches. Parents follow a curriculum designed to challenge and educate parents regarding lifelong weight control. The text is Dr. Dan Kirschenbaum’s book, The Healthy Obsession Program (HOP): Smart Weight Loss Instead of Low Carb Lunacy (BenBella Books, 2006).
