There are a lot of weight loss camps out there for children and a quick search on your favorite search engine will provide you with a number of results. So, the question is – How do you sort through all the options and find the right camp for your child?
Here are a few things for you to keep in mind when you are considering your options:
Camp Leadership – The person “running the show” at a weight loss camp needs to be qualified and experienced. Check their credentials and look for expertise in areas such as education, behavioral psychology, outdoor education, as well as the clinical/specific aspects of weight loss.
Clinical Programming - The camp should have a a well defined program that is focused on cognitive therapy and is conducted by qualified personnel.
Educational Programming – A camp should also focus on educating kids and teens about nutrition, proper diet, exercise, and the short and long term psychological aspects of weight control. Usually a combination of staff is responsible for this area of programming, so ensure that all those involved are qualified.
Meals – The food served at the camp should be healthy and balanced, but also tasty and fun enough to teach campers that eating well isn’t as boring as it sounds. Meals should be focused on low fat meals that are enjoyable and should also include snacks as snacking is a regular part of most children’s diet. If a camp does not provide you with sample menus, ask.
Learning to eat well is often a challenge, but extremely important
Uncontrolled Foods – Be sure to look for a camp that offers some sort of “uncontrolled foods” in the diet. Uncontrolled foods are those whose portions are not regulated by the camp staff. In essence, they are “all you can eat” parts of meals. These are extremely important as they are reality – outside of weight loss camp most meal portions are not controlled. Kids need to learn how to control their own portions and camps that offer uncontrolled foods provide a framework for doing so.
Fun & Exercise – Fitness camps should offer a wide variety of activities aimed at getting kids moving around and burning calories. It is important that there a many activities to choose from as not all kids will enjoy the same activities. Ideally, search for a camp that offers the kind of activities that can easily be done outside of camp.
Exercise needs to be fun for kids to stick with it
Involvement of Family – Family will play crucial role in the ultimate success of a summer weight loss camp. Kids will get a good start over the summer, but if they are going to be 100% successful, they will need support from their family when they return home. Therefore, it is important that camps involve families from the beginning.
Post-Camp Follow Ups – Weight loss camp shouldn’t end when your child returns home. Staff from the camp should stay in touch with you and your child after they complete the program to get progress reports and offer any advice/help that they can.
Measurable Success – The camp should have a track record of success that they are not afraid to share – in fact they should brag about it. They should also use other measures beyond pounds of weight lost to track their progress.
Camp Facilities – Obviously, the more current and up to date the facilities are, the better. That is not to say that an old camp is bad. So long as they offer facilities that are safe, well maintained, and comfortable for your child.
An aerial view of our camp's nice facilities
Doing due diligence up front to select the right teen weight loss camp for your child is extremely important. If you have the ability, take a tour of the camp before you sign up and search online for reviews, videos, and any other pieces of knowledge that can help you make the right decision.
Taking part in a summer weight loss camp can be a life-changing experience for your child. However, keep in mind that it is only the beginning of a greater journey. If the lessons learned are not brought home and encouraged, the summer spent away from family will be little more than wasted time and money. Thus, as a parent, it is important that you do the proper amount of research about the camp that you want to send your child to. Also make sure that you get some input from your child as they will be the ones at the camp. The goal is to make the entire experience – from the first day at camp through months after returning hom – educational and fun, resulting in a healthier and happier child.
