References from Wellspring Family Camp families

Today, my daughter & I did the 5K Run for the Cure in Orange County. It was very touching. I was very moved by the experience. It made me think of camp, miss everyone tremendously, and reflect on what a big difference Wellspring has made in my family's life. Kirsten & I have continued to walk and do resistance training 3 times a week. We have all been eating healthfully not only at home but when we go out to eat! Everyone has been on board. My husband has been running on the treadmill everyday. He has also been doing resistance training 3 times a week. My son has been great & supportive about everything too. One day, while we were walking together, he kept asking me about Wellspring. He was amazed by the changes we made as soon as we got back. I really can't thank you enough. I couldn't have done it without you. Please let your staff know how grateful we arefor our camp experience. We will always remember you all. We went to Wellspring to lose some weight. We came out with much more than we ever expected. Not only did we lose weight, we learned a lot about our capabilities, our ability to stretch ourselves to reach our goals, and more importantly, formed some lasting friendships. Most of all, the bond with my daughter that became stronger from our Wellspring experiences is something that is irreplaceable and priceless.

Cecile N. Licauco, D.D.S.
Fullerton, CA

We found our experience at Wellspring to be extremely rewarding on every level. There was a wide range of learning opportunities in which we each developed new skills, reinforced good habits, banished some bad ones, and had a lot of fun along the way.

* The setting was perfect.
* The people were wonderful – fellow campers were supportive and open to new ideas.
* The camp staff was terrific - each and every member had special competencies and was also pleasant, interesting, knowledgeable, involved and genuinely invested in making our experience a great success.

My kids are now educated consumers of food and have found that they can eat well and be healthier without feeling deprived. We are not always perfect and have an occasional off-day, but it is amazing to see the kids bounce back as they are empowered with the knowledge and control to calculate fat and calories and make good choices about eating and exercise. The Wellspring program provided us with relevant tools and lasting strategies for a healthier lifestyle. It was money, time and energy exceedingly well spent!

Janice Kioko
New York, NY

The Wellspring Family Camp experience was truly a positive one for my daughter and me. Not only did we learn a tremendous amount of information about healthy eating, weight loss strategies, nutrition, and more, but we did so in a warm, supportive environment and had a whole lot of fun! We were able to bring the strategies we’d learned back home with us after camp and incorporate them into our daily lives.

The camp facilities were very comfortable . The activities were very fun and ranged from hiking, canoeing, bicycling, climbing wall, tai kwan do, various workout sessions, and lots of different games (wiffle ball, volleyball, teambuilding activities, etc.). Everybody found something they enjoyed doing. The staff was wonderful and related well to the children and adults.

The impact on my daughter was significant in that she got enough momentum going in this healthy lifestyle that she is continuing this initiative by attending Wellspring Academy for part of this school year. She never would have had the courage to do this without the positive experience she had at camp. As a mom, I am faced with the challenge of role modeling this new approach with the rest of my family but I feel I had a great foundation in what I learned at Wellspring.

Ina Lerner
Midland, MI

Halee and I had a wonderful, life changing experience at Wellspring Family Camp this summer. From the moment we arrived, I knew our lives would be changed forever. I have never met such a caring, concerned and accepting group of people before. Not just the staff, but the other families who were attending camp with us, touched our lives and hearts forever.

Halee and I were both very nervous about attending camp and really had no idea what to expect (neither of us have ever done very well outside our "comfort zones"). I was willing to step outside "my box" to help Halee and show her that if I could do this for her, then she certainly could too. It is amazing the things you will do for your children (the ropes course, definetely being one of them!!)

The program just made sense to us and was very easy to understand and follow. The group sessions and the sessions with Ilene, our BC, were very helpful and really made me think about and reconsider some of my parenting techniques. Halee and I were very nervous to go home and try this all out; we were both nervous about whether or not we could really do this at home on our own.

The food has just become a way of life for us; there isn't anything bad in our house, so even if someone cheats it isn’t nearly as bad as it used to be. Also, we are always trying to figure out new and different ways to get our exercise in.

My son, Colby (who just turned 5)is always asking if he got in enough exercise and how much fat is in his meals (he lost weight at first but we added regular peanut butter and salami back into his diet and he is now maintaining). Halee and I recently joined Curves since it is getting colder now and harder to be outside all the time. We both really enjoy it.  My husband Troy is on the program and has a pedometer now as well; he has lost 23 pounds since we have gotten home from camp- the whole family is involved. Halee has lost 18 pounds to date and I have lost 31. We all still have a ways to go, but are all still very excited about our new healthy lifestyle. Halee and I also signed up for our first 5K walk on October 22 for breast cancer awareness; we joined the Curves team. Thank you so much to all of the staff at Wellspring Family Camp for making such a difference in our lives!!

Jennifer Sutherland
Worthington, OH

I owe you and the team many overdue thanks and gratitude! You have given us the tools to get our family healthy & fit for life. We are all doing well and miss the comfort, encouragement and fun we had with you guys. Thanks again!

Karin Mullooly
Rockville, NY

We just returned from a 10-day vacation at the beach and I wanted to let you know that we self-monitored everyday, as always, and Colby is down 3 pounds. I've been thrilled with the program, not only for Colby, but for my other 2 kids as well. My thirteen year old daughter has lost 15 pounds since we returned from camp, and she journals her food faithfully, and is constantly looking at the Calorie King, and helping Colby with it as well. All three of my kids are going to a small private school this year, where they do not offer school lunches. I will pack all of them everyday. We are looking forward to this and have lots of good soups, sandwich meat, (all veggie) and fat-free cheeses, as well as healthy snacks and drinks. I think we'll do well, without as much downtime as the summer months, and not as much snacking. I'm going to start a phlebotomy class, and then a nutrition/dietician class, and hopefully, eventually, try to find a way to work with overweight kids. I was truly inspired by Wellspring, and love the HOP program, and want to help others the way you’ve helped us. I stay in touch with the other families that were there during our stay and have a visit planned with one of them coming up soon.

Thanks so much for everything. Wellspring was the best thing that could've happened to us, and my only regret is that I didn't have my other two children with me there. I've even considered returning there with them next summer. Take care, and please keep in touch.

Tina Alexander
Johnstown, PA

I spent 13 days at Wellspring Family Camp and watched my son transform himself.  I had tried everything with Mike, and he was really excited about going and seeing how Wellspring might help him.  I was so envious of his positive attitude though. That first night the campers and staff all had dinner together and then played some getting-to know-you type games.  I knew right away that everything was going to be fine.  Mike was so happy when we went to bed that first night.  He had already made a couple of friends and he was eager to get started on the program.  I'll be honest, the next 12 days were sometimes intense, emotional and difficult but also fun, invigorating and motivating!  Yes, I said "FUN!"  Mike had a blast!   And I did okay, too!  Mike learned the program and worked really hard at camp.  He even lost a significant amount of weight in those 13 days.  He came home extremely motivated and lived the program.  He has lost 25 pounds and is on top of the world!  He's a different kid!   Wellspring Family Camp changed his life.  Obviously, we are doing fantastic.  Mike is so happy.  And I am so incredibly proud of him.  I could bust!!! 

Ronda Wadina
Mosinee, WI

Our experience has been priceless for the most part; the exposure to Tae Kwon Doe, yoga and the morning walk has enlightened us to many different ways to become more active. What was most impressive were the positive techniques to encourage better results with children. Being forced to put it into use on a daily basis was very valuable also. Overall, Wellspring Family Camp was a positive and useful experience and I am glad that we went.

Nikki Pearson
Pontiac, MI