FAQs

Camp Endeavor stands alone for several reasons. We consciously designed Endeavor to be a weight management camp as opposed to a weight loss camp, a diet camp or a fat camp. The outcomes of a weight loss camp are short term, that being to lose pounds. Likewise for a diet camp or fat camp. Endeavor is much more. What makes our summer camp different is our focus on empowerment of the camper, through the education and practice of tools or strategies to break old habits, leaving them behind and reinforcing new patterns.

Empowerment of each individual camper is central to the intention behind Endeavor and affects all aspects of our camp programming. What is empowerment? Empowerment, simply put, is the internalization of an "I CAN DO THIS" belief in one's ability to manage weight. Of course, the process of this is anything but simple and leads us right into another reason why Endeavor stands apart.

We are intentionally small, which allows us to give personal attention to each of our campers. Our team is intimately involved in the daily activities and our watchful eyes regard the details as well as the big picture. Through this one-to-one contact, we can recognize our campers' needs, each camper's learning and change our instructional style to fit the individual.

Some weight loss camps focus solely on nutrition education; this is clearly not the case at Camp Endeavor . Our educa-bits cover diverse topics such as how to protect one's self from hurtful language, how to create change, debunking advertising, why diets and dieting don't work and more.

Our professional experience, both Dan's and Tut's, enables us to customize movement activities based on past experiences and current abilities in the areas of balance, strength, coordination and cardiovascular fitness. This means that all movement and sporting activities are chosen and adapted to ensure that campers meet with success and become fit during camp. This customized, "just right" challenge is what enables campers to make terrific strides in skill and fitness.

In addition, another clear difference is in the emphasis we put on the dining environment. Mealtime at Camp Endeavor will not look like the typical camp mealtime; dining will be structured to maximize conscious eating in a relaxed state.

With our first camp season in 2004, we are the first weight management camp in the Midwest!

Why is a summer camp experience at Endeavor so valuable?

The value of Endeavor's summer camp experience in weight management / weight loss lies partially in its ability to interrupt lifestyle patterns and habits, particularly those of eating, movement, behavior and thinking. Being away from the usual routines interrupts these patterns. Concurrently, coming to camp, with all that this entails: meeting new friends, participating in different activities, learning pertinent information, following new leaders, being in the out-of-doors, getting out of one's comfort zone; all join to create the fertile ground in which the adoption of new habits can occur. Add to this, the educa-bits and experiential learning which facilitate empowerment. This can only happen in a fun, intensive and supportive format away from home - camp! A summer camp experience is ideally suited to achieve the goals of Endeavor.

These changes can be achieved during both the two and four week sessions. However, staying at camp for the four week session makes it easier for the camper to return home and continue the new patterns practiced and established while at camp.

Not only will you see in your camper these initial practices, but you'll see improved levels of fitness, feelings of delight & accomplishment and weight loss which come from a fun-filled summer camp experience packed with learning and empowering success.

What about life AFTER camp?

You're wondering about the challenges of returning home and continuing newly formed habits. Yes, these challenges are real. We have several educa-bits that focus on the return home. In addition we've planned two sessions, Just For Parents, on arrival and departure days. We strongly encourage families to take advantage of these sessions. Parents will be given an overview of the tools/techniques, activities and educa-bits presented at camp, so you'll be able to provide ongoing support to your camper. Contact with us is maintained through Newsletters, which are sent every other month. E-mail correspondence is also available.

You say Camp Endeavor is “holistic and unique” in its approach. Can you explain?

Yes, Camp Endeavor is unique in that the directors are experienced and able to recognize individual needs in the areas of movement, fitness, coordination, learning and nutrition. Activities, both physical and the educa-bits will be customized to the needs of the campers. Accordingly, campers will be placed in varying groups to best meet their needs, not merely grouped by cabin as is the practice in other summer camps. Our approaches to dining, the environment and conscious eating are unique as well.

Our philosophy and approach are holistic which means Camp Endeavor is not simply offering less food and more movement. Our summer camp programming not only includes the topics of eating, nutrition, physical movement & coordination, but also issues affecting social, emotional and personal well-being. Our tools focus on lifelong weight management. It is also our intention to enable campers to develop, appreciate and nurture the bodies they presently have, (not waiting until they have an 'ideal' body) while achieving a healthy weight.

What has made Camp Endeavor so successful?

Summer camp has been a whopping success from the campers' perspectives. Campers lost plenty of weight and they had fun and made new friends, whether it was during cabin time, planning the talent show skits or playing sand volleyball. It's clear that in the eyes of the campers, making new friends and having fun ranks high on what makes a camp experience rich! They also moved with greater ease and delight at the end of camp. Again this year, campers reported increased energy and were pleased with how good it feels to be slightly full, not to eat to excess or be stuffed!

From the perspective of Tut and Dan, Camp Endeavor was a success as well. The increased levels of fitness and spontaneous movement were exciting to see. Bodies accustomed to moving, want to CONTINUE moving! Hooray! The educa-bits were a vital piece in empowering the campers and the campers were engaged, responsive and courageous in stepping up to meet this challenge in weight management. From the confidence questionnaires and the faces of the campers, it's obvious the campers left with a newly-found or re-discovered sense of competence and the capability to handle the challenge weight presents in their lives. They also left knowing how their families can support them and with loads of memories of new friends, adventures, fun, a sense of inner, personal success and baggy pants.

What do the parents and campers say about Camp Endeavor?

"It will be exciting for me to start school, and for once feel good about myself."

"Camp Endeavor is a great place to be! It's not about dieting but it's amazing how you lose weight! They teach you so may things about how to rely on yourself, so you won't turn to food for comfort."

"I'm doing a lot better and I am much more confident in myself... and in my
looks. I am eating well, not as much as before and I am very comfortable
with my habits right now. I just wanted to thank you guys ...."

"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."

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 guaranteed 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.”

"Yes, her attitude is vastly improved, as is her health.  But the former is even more miraculous the the latter.  I sent a girl who was overweight, lethargic, and sour – unwilling to try new things.  She came back open, active, and enthusiastic. Thank you!!!!"

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 forever - thank you seems so little."

"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."

What can we expect regarding weight loss?

Campers will lose weight. The average weight loss for a four week stay has been 15 pounds. Many factors affect weight loss so it's impossible to say how much each camper will lose, but each one will lose weight. Caloric intake is between 1700 - 1900 calories daily, safely meeting the nutritional needs of growing bodies.

Again, our goal and emphasis is on empowering our campers to meet the challenges of long-term weight management, weight loss, eating and food long after summer camp is over.

Introductory Packet