Dangers & Downsides to a Weight Loss Camp?

Concerns you may have:

1. Since I cannot see my child, how will I know if he is okay and doing well while at camp?
2. What if my child gets homesick?
3. What about any injuries and illnesses my child incurs while he is there?
4. Will my child develop anorexia or bulimia as a result of focusing so much on his weight?
5. What about bullying?
6. What if my child hates the food and won’t eat at all?
7. What if my child doesn’t lose any weight or regains his weight when he comes back home?

Consider this:

1. Children are generally out of sight all day while they are at school, yet we trust the teachers and school authorities to care for our child’s needs. When they come home, they go to a friend’s house and we may worry momentarily, but ultimately we know they will be okay. Weight loss camps ask for the same confidence since they deal with many children every year and know what to expect and what danger signs to look for. In most camps, children and parents are kept in regular contact so a parent can know how their child is doing.
2. Homesickness is generally part of every child’s stay away from home at any given time. Weight loss camps have extensive experience in dealing with this and they usually find that keeping the children on a busy schedule is the best cure for homesickness. After meeting new friends at camp and finding their favorite activities, homesickness usually dissipates.
3. Emergency response medical training required for camp instructors and guides usually far exceeds our expectations. Camps generally will keep parents informed if their child incurs any injuries or illnesses while they are at camp. Most camp staff members have chosen the business they are in because of their love for children, and many are parents themselves, so they strive to treat you and your child with the utmost care and respect.
4. Most camps allow children to correspond with their parents during their stay, and this will give you some insight into how your child is doing. Staff experts will also apprise you of any health issues or concerns with your child during his stay. It’s unlikely that the child will incur any negativity as a result of their visit to the camp, since the focus is on positive self-image. Camp staff members train extensively to recognize the symptoms of eating disorders. If camp staff begin to see a trend in that direction they certainly will monitor that and notify you of any issues or concerns they have about your child in that regards.
5. Any reputable camp recognizes the potential for bullying to occur between children of varying ages and backgrounds. Most camps have staff that will pop in unannounced to keep a check on just such types of problems. Some camps even have a staff member staying in each room with the children to ensure that a certain level of behavior is maintained and that no one is bullied.
6. Most camps are accustomed to dealing with children and are experts at dealing with picky eaters. Some camps have great alternative healthier versions of your child’s favorite foods, like pizza, tacos and hamburgers. The focus is more on portion control and making healthier choices, but not on taking away your child’s favorite foods.
7. A good camp stay will not only result in weight loss but will assist your child to succeed even when he returns back home, giving him tools to use for a lifetime. Of course, even with a good program, you will only get out of it what you put in. Your child will bear some responsibility in the matter. Your child’s success can also depend a lot on the camp you have chosen for him. In that regard, visit our page How to Choose a Weight Loss Camp?