We're excited about Camp Endeavor, so much more than just a camp for weight loss!

Dan Dingmann, is co-founder and co-director of Camp Endeavor. For over 30 years, Dan's work has involved research, programming, education and clinical services in the area of weight management. As an exercise physiologist, he is employed at St. Clare Hospital and Health Services in Baraboo, WI, in the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department. Dan has a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology. He is also an experiential educator using adventure programming to facilitate individual and group development in the areas of interpersonal communication, cooperation, trust building, problem solving, decision making and leadership skills.

A movement enthusiast, Dan's entire life has included participation in a wide range of recreational, sporting and outdoor fitness pursuits from badminton to white water rafting. His style of instruction and facilitation emphasizes fun and enjoyment at a "just right" challenge level so the participants move smoothly toward skill acquisition and mastery of movement activities. He is also active in the Baraboo Theatre Guild, the Friends of Devil's Lake State Park , the Ice Age Trail Foundation and local service organizations.

Tut Gramling has worked as an occupational therapist for over 30 years, primarily with children through the Baraboo Public School District and local Birth - Three Programs. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and a Masters in Education: Professional Development.

Community involvement includes leadership positions in church, Girl Scouts, Camp Avanti, a summer camp for children with sensory - based differences, and adventure day camps for local youth. For six years Tut taught intuitive skill development courses for adults, a six month-long class entitled, Allowing Authentic Presence, which presents techniques/tools to free oneself from habitual patterns of thinking and acting, resulting in a life lived consciously.

Tut, co-founder and co-director, sees Camp Endeavor as a natural outgrowth of her professional experience customizing movement & coordination activities and her belief that each person can become empowered to meet the challenges of their life, including children. "Over the years, I've worked with many children who have felt marginalized by differences in learning styles, sensory processing or physical capabilities. I know how some children suffer from feeling separate from their peers and that seeing themselves in the driver's seat of life is achievable for all children." This experience, that individuals can be empowered, forms the basis of the Camp Endeavor mission statement and is Tut's motivation in providing Endeavor to youth who are challenged by weight. Camp Endeavor really is so much more than just a camp for weight loss.

Tut and Dan have been married for over 30 years and together they have two children, Emily and Drew. The Baraboo area has been home for over 28 years.

Emily Dingmann, assistant director, has been a camp counselor and lead counselor since Camp Endeavor started in 2004. With a B.S. degree from the University of Minnesota in Nutrition and a love for great food, her favorite times at Camp include teaching cooking classes and introducing the campers to new foods! "Just because we are a camp for weight loss doesn't mean the food shouldn't be fun!" Check out Emily’s blog at www.anutritionisteats.com; it’s full of recipes, tips and food fun.

Karen May, assistant director, has been with Camp Endeavor since the 
beginning as a counselor. Campers connect quickly with Karen! She 
currently coordinates the daily schedule & activities. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater with a B.A. in Education, Karen teaches for the Milwaukee Public Schools.

Our summer camp crew also includes a registered dietitian, a registered nurse and experienced counselors.

Mission: Camp Endeavor offers a life changing summer camp experience empowering youth to achieve a healthy weight through positive lifestyle choices.

Board Of Directors Camp Endeavor, Inc.

President - Daniel Dingmann, M.S.

Co-Director, Camp Endeavor
Cardiac Rehabilitation, St. Clare Hospital, Baraboo

Secretary - Emily Dingmann, B.S.

Assistant Director, Camp Endeavor
Marketing Co-ordinator, Organic Bakery, Minneapolis

Treasurer - Chris Iverson, CPA.

Moy, Borchert & Erbs CPA.
Baraboo, WI

Training and Employment Coordinator - Lynda Horn, B.S.

Vets Place Central, Milwaukee

Family Practice Physician - Sarah Fox, MD

Mineral Point Medical Clinic
Mineral Point, WI

Executive Director - Tut Gramling, B.S., ME-PD

Co-Director, Camp Endeavor
Occupational Therapist, Sauk County Birth-Three Program, Baraboo

What do the parents and campers say about Camp Endeavor?

"hey, hey, hope you guys are doing well, I've lost another 4 pounds since camp (written 6 weeks post-camp) and I'm doing great. I would like to thank both of you for camp. It was one of the best experiences for me . . ."

"I would recommend Camp Endeavor to others, because it's a fun way to learn to be healthy. You also make tons of life time friends."

"This was a great experience. Thank you."

"I liked the kids, counselors and the way it was set up. I liked the level of activity also."

"I liked the dances and the counselors! It's also really amazing how they (camp) can turn you around activity-wise."

Camp Endeavor is a great place to be!  It’s not a diet but it’s amazing how you lose weight!  They teach you so many helpful tools and how to rely on yourself so that you don’t turn to food for comfort plus the counselors make you feel at home.  Camp Endeavor is a fun and effective way to lose weight and keep it off! D

Parents

D was a 15 year old struggling to find herself and every day being a challenge physically and emotionally.  Today we all see a new person.  She is happy and healthy.  She smiles and  seems genuinely content with who she is and may I say that is one wonderful accomplishment Camp Endeavor has done for this child -  that I as a parent have struggled for years to make her see.  Camp Endeavor has saved my child and given me a new relationship with a beautiful young women who I have not seen so happy in years.  It has been one of the most important right decisions I have made to send my child. J

Asked whether they would recommend CE & why? Families responded:

"Yes, because of your willingness to work with me with her homesickness, your positive attitude towards the kids and how they can achieve anything they want, teaching them it's a life style change not a diet."

"It was a plus to have her interact with other kids experiencing the same difficulties and feelings (that) she has because of her weight."

"Yes, because there is weight loss and it is significant enough that they come home and want to continue to lose. Excellent camp."

"We would recommend CE to anyone that has a child that wants to learn how to eat healthier. We will recommend this camp to our physician, family and friends."

"I can’t tell you how much this has changed her outlook on food.  Your program is wonderful!"

"Yes!, she is more inclined to exercise and is trying hard to watch her food intake.  She helps monitor the family as well.”

Do you see any changes in your child? If so, what?

"For the most part I see her making much better food choices and much better portion size choices. I see her getting right back to her healthy choices when she does choose the not-so-good foods..She came home full of joy and self assurance!"

"Absolutely! - not only physical but emotional changes have helped her to start liking herself."

"She eats healthier now. (She) is happy now to realize that the "mountain" she had to climb to lose weight and eat healthy is smaller now."

" Camp Endeavor has been a wonderful experience for our daughter. The care, support, encouragement that the staff provided was incredible. This was the first camp our daughter felt like she belonged. Kids know they are overweight. They need to know there is a place they will be helped and understood and that place is Camp Endeavor ! It's truly a place where active weight management begins. Sincerely, thank you for everything. . She sends both of you a hug! And a big thanks!"

"It has been one of the most important right decisions I have made in my life to send my child. . . . I would tell any parent, who is struggling and can honestly say they are losing their child to weight, that this is the one best decision I have ever made in my life but that they need to understand it is not only a new beginning for the child but for the whole family upon their return. It is not to say we don't have rough times - we do, but Endeavor has given us all the strength to recognize those times and taught us how to deal with those situations. You will be a part of our lives."

"Just wanted to let you know that he is doing great. The tools you gave him at camp are wonderful and I hope with this knowledge and working together as a family that we will get his weight under control. Thank you for a wonderful experience."

"Thank you! He had a really great time and says he wants to go again next summer. Big self-esteem booster! I would absolutely recommend Camp Endeavor to others. It can turn your child's life around.
I cannot thank you enough."