For the Health of it

As obesity issues among today’s youth become ever more prominent in the media, the challenge is to help children learn to manage their weight, not in terms of temporarily losing a few pounds, but from the perspective of long-term lifestyle changes. To achieve this goal, the founders of the Tower Health & Wellness Center conceived Camp California Fitness in the Spring of 2003 as a fitness program for girls 8-18.

“ There are only 15 weight loss camps in the US,” explains Business Manager Daniel Shaffer, “and only three are located in this state. A camp such as what we have created did not exist in Northern California until now. We have a unique and exciting health and wellness program as well as a dynamic team to implement it.”

Camp California Fitness (CCF) is a fitness program that educates, motivates, inspires and demonstrates to young girls and teenagers how to embrace healthy lifestyles and lose weight properly. The program is dedicated to shaping attitudes towards healthy nutrition and physical fitness.

“ We teach children the importance of healthy food choices and preparedness, and promote physical activities in a friendly environment,” explains Administrative Director Shawna Rocha. “The goals are straight forward: become more physically fit, build self-esteem, and lose weight. The program is set in an exciting, safe, non-judgmental atmosphere where girls can be themselves and feel accepted, and learn how to take care of their bodies, how to exercise properly, good nutrition, and most importantly, to feel better about themselves.” Rocha is a testimony to the program’s concepts, having herself lost over 100 pounds after enduring years of taunting for her obesity.

Individualized attention ensures that each girl receives the opportunity to develop lifestyle changes that best address her needs. Nearly 40 staff members work closely to motivate the girls, and help them set and achieve realistic goals. CCF is the only physician-directed camp in the nation where doctors are available 24/7. “We offer parents and their daughters a unique, all–inclusive program that incorporates all five components of proper exercise, proper nutrition, self image development (interpersonal counseling), continual medical supervision, and health and wellness education,” says Shaffer. “Plus there’s great field trips, special events and activities.”

Limited to only 100 girls between ages 8-18, there are two, four, six or eight week sessions available this summer from June 19-August 14. The sessions will be held at the CSU-Stanislaus campus. “We have just started signing up participants,” says Rocha. “We are keeping it to a small ‘classroom’ size, and anticipate strong response.”

For more information about this summer’s Camp California Fitness, visit. www.campcaliforniafitness.com, or call 1-877-FIT-KIDS (348-5437) or 209-656-8771.