Fat camps used to be just for kids and teens, but the programs are now expanding to include entire families. This makes it possible for kids to go back to a supportive environment where everybody is making dietary and lifestyle changes. Weight-loss camps for families are not as common as teen weight-loss camps; families who are interested in attending one might need to travel a considerable distance.
Camps that Parents Can Join
The most common type of family camps are those originally designed for kids but that encourage parents to join. For example, the Wellspring Camp in New York or California is aimed to girls in their teens. However, parents are invited to join the program on the last few days of the camp. Here, they'll learn about the teens' new lifestyle, experience some of the activities their children participated in and learn about health and nutrition.
Camps for the Whole Family
A newer type of family fat camp is designed for the family unit rather than just kids. These camps offer activities that engage the whole family. For example, the Pritikin Family Program in Florida offers a combination of family activities with separate activities for children and parents. Together, families can take advantage of the large pool, which features a 125-foot water slide and organized water sports like volleyball. Children can take cooking lessons while parents attend workshops to learn how to fit physical activity into their everyday lives.
Activities
Family fat camps are not only about being active but also about learning practical tips that can be used back home. For example, families at the Pritikin Family Program take a field trip to a local Whole Foods market, where they learn how to read labels and choose healthy products. The Family Fitness Program at Penn State University is a day camp where families learn about the food pyramid and how to cook healthy meals. Wellspring Camps offers behavioral coaching, so families can learn about emotional eating and how to control and change their eating behavior.
Continuing Support
Some camps offer continuing support once families go home. Wellspring allows you to enroll in a "continuing care program," which is offered online. This allows you to stay in touch with behavioral coaches, as well as to interact with others following the same program. The online support program caters to the whole family, so everybody can find support to continue with their diet and exercise program.
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