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Fit Camps
Losing Weight, Gaining Friends
By Teri Brown
Besides diet and exercise, part of the camp's total package includes working on grooming and hygiene habits, nutrition and cooking classes and self-esteem building.
"Our kids leave our camp in the best physical and mental shape of their lives," says Sparber, a former overweight child. He attended a weight loss camp when he was 15 years old, and it turned his life around. "I love what I do, because I've seen the difference firsthand," he says.
David Ettenberg, director of Camp Shane, a weight loss camp in Ferndale, N.Y., believes that parents need to look at the entire package before choosing a weight loss camp.
"Besides the safety issues you would check with any camp, you should also look at the nutritional programs, activities and the quality of food provided," says Ettenberg. "We try to serve food at the camp that is not only nutritious, but something kids will eat once they go home. Our food is kid-friendly."
David Ettenberg gives the following tips on finding the perfect weight loss camp for your child:
- Make sure the camp serves quality food in the right portions for your child.
- How many qualified, full-time guidance counselors does the camp have on hand to deal with any problems that might arrive?
- Are they accredited by the American Camping Association?
- Visit the camp and ask to meet with the camp director. "Meeting with the camp director can tell you quite a bit about the atmosphere of the camp, " says Ettenberg. "If you find them to be dedicated and trustworthy, chances are these traits will trickle down through the staff and counselors."
- Learn about their hiring procedures. Do they check references? Do they run complete background checks? What are their age limits? (Many camps hire teens as junior counselors, which can be a wonderful experience for all, but it can cause problems if the camp relies too heavily on this cheaper workforce.)
- Before choosing a camp, try to talk to a parent whose child has been to the camp with successful results. The camp should have no problem getting you in touch with references.
- Keep your child involved with the decision-making process. They have to be comfortable with the camp, or the experience won't be optimal for your child.