Our morning began with a three mile walk around camp. It was a beautiful morning. Very comfortable, but damp and a bit hazy. I was comfortable in my jacket for the first couple of miles. Breakfast followed. We dined on egg beaters, an English muffin and fake sausage. Fruit bar was full of yogurt, cottage cheese and several fruits. Following breakfast, Kinz headed offsite with those who were at the discovery level and above. They went to swim at a public pool. I didn't think that sounded like much fun, but Kinz was quite excited. She said she was looking forward to the water being warm and not having to worried about anything swimming by and biting her. She came home with quite a sunburn. G and I attended classes all day. Thank goodness for the morning walk or we would have had no chance of meeting our new 10,000 step requirement. For lunch we had half of a baked potato, covered with bison chili, broccoli and the salad / fruit buffet. Afternoon nutrition classes including a taste of PB2. PB2 is Powdered Peanut Butter, reconstituted with water. It was surprisingly good. Instead of staying for dinner and the weekly ceremonies, we headed out. We ate dinner at Apple-bee's. Kinz had traveled to Apple-bee's with camp on a dine out challenge, so she knew what she could have. I ordered Cajun Talapia on rice with Broccoli. It was good. Kinz had garlic chicken with broccoli. My total fat for the day was 9 grams and 1350 calories. Tomorrow we will head to camp for her final weigh in and the timed mile. Last weeks time was 8:34! We have classes in the morning and will finish up at Noon. She is very excited to be home.

Words cannot describe how excited we were to see our baby. It was a long day for both of us as we anxiously watched the clock for 5 pm to arrive. The winding road to camp reminds me of the road to Hana in Hawaii. Twists and turns that never seem to end. We arrived at 5 minutes to 5. She was playing soccer, but watching for us as she saw us immediately when we turned in. We all stood there bawling. Glad I wasn't the only one. She has always been beautiful in our eyes, but words cannot describe the confidence she has gained in herself. She is empowered and excited at what she has accomplished this summer. Our dinner consisted of Baked chicken, green beens, a sweet potato / green pepper dish and fresh mixed berries. There was also a full fruit and salad bar. After our evening session and the kids evening activity, snack was served. We had our choice of vanilla, chocolate or strawberry ice cream. (Sugar free sweetened with Splenda.) We received a couple books, one based on the science behind the program and a calorie King book, which is basically a dictionary of foods containing calorie counts and fat counts. Glenn thinks we consumed about 25,000 calories yesterday. Oh my. We received pedometers and calorie Journals to use over the weekend. Kinz came back to the hotel with us and is currently soaking in the tub. She has had 8 weeks of cold showers each lasting 5 minutes. She may soak all night. I just want to sit there and hug her. Eight weeks is a long time. We are so very proud of all she has accomplished. Now she knows how strong she really is. Tomorrow will be fun as we are invited to attend the weekly ceremony where the kids move up in levels. She mentioned again how cool it was to receive mail from everyone. Please continue to pray that she would have the same conviction once school starts as she has now. She has a rocking group of friends, so I know they will be there to cheer her on!

Road Trip!

Off we go to camp. Not excited for the 22 hour drive. I am excited to see Kinzster! Today's picture was taken on her first day of camp when G. dropped her off. She plans on having her exit picture taken in the same cloths. It will be fun to compare!

Below is the Family workshop schedule if you are interested...

THURSDAY July 29th 2010

5:00 - 5:45 Arrive and Check-in

5:45 - 6:10 Introductions and Expectations:

v Introductions of administrative and clinical teams

v Important expectations and guidelines for the weekend

6:15- 7:30

Dinner Circle and Dinner

7:35 – 8:20 Tools of the Wellspring Program:

v Tools of the Program: Wellspring’s 3 simple changes: Distribute self-monitoring journals (SMJs), Sierras Solution and Calorie King books, and pedometers; discuss plan for your mini-Wellspring weekend experience (step and fat goals)

8:20 Families welcome to depart after 8:20


FRIDAY July 30th 2010


7:30 – 8:30 Morning Walk with Campers, Families and Staff


8:40 – 9:25

Breakfast Circle and Breakfast

For the remainder of the day, aside from meals and WAC Records, parents are in scheduled workshops while campers participate in activities.

9:30 – 10:15 Activity Management Presentation:

v Personal Training: Lessons Learned at Camp
v Transference: What you can continue to do back home

10:15-10:30

WAC Records!

Heidi Williams, Head Fitness Instructor, with Personal Trainer Team

v Compete and/or cheer on campers and families!

10:30-12:25

Workshop 1: Scientific Foundations of the Wellspring Program

12:30-12:45

Garden Overview

Leah Nicholson, Food Service Director and Hannah Furgiuele, Head Gardening Instructor

12:45-1:30

Lunch

1:30-2:30

Family Consultations with Behavioral Coaches (BCs)

v Addressing concerns, developing ideas for making the program work at home

2:30-4:20

Join Activities with your Campers!

* Individual Family Meetings with Behavioral Coaches as signed up*

4:30-6:05

Nutrition Workshop

Jessica Menig, Head Nutrition and Culinary Instructor, with Nutrition Team

6.15- 7:30

Dinner Circle and Dinner

7:30 – 8:45

Final Ceremony!

v Experience the weekly level system ceremony where campers are recognized for meeting their goals

v Families welcome to depart after 8:45 (Remember to pick-up any medication your child will need while away from camp!)

Meet at the Health Center and to Fire Circle



SATURDAY July 31st 2010


7:30- 8:10

Stretch Circle and Morning Walk with Families, Campers and Staff

* Individual Family Meetings with Behavioral Coaches as signed up*

Health Center

8:15 – 8:40

Timed Mile with Campers, Families and Staff


8:40-9:15

Breakfast Circle and Breakfast


For the remainder of the morning, parents are in scheduled workshops while campers participate in activities. All siblings are welcomed to join in activities!


9:40-10:20

Culinary Workshop:

Jessica Menig, Head Nutrition and Culinary Instructor, with Nutrition Team

v Alternative Ingredients

v Kitchen Staples

v Recipes

v Demonstration: Fast and Easy

10:20 – 12:00

Workshop 2: Plans for Home

12:00

End of Workshop

Today the girls began their day with a group therapy session, followed by fitness boot-camp and 4 way kickball. They will then pack out and prepare for a great time in the field. The field trips this week are choice trips. As mentioned, Kinz chose duckying, a form of rafting. Check out her feet in this picture. Theme of Saturday nights dance was PJ night, so she wore the frog slippers her Nana sent in one of the many care packages that found it's way to North Carolina this summer.

Yesterdays schedule:

The ladies will began there day with a game of tennis and soccer. They will then participate in agility. After lunch, the ladies will play a game of basketball just before having the chance to cool down with a nice dip in the swim hole. They will the play a game of dodge-ball just before having an opportunity to relax in yoga.They will end the evening with PJ's themed dance.

I hope they post pictures of the PJ's themed dance! That would be fun. Pictures of Kinz tearing up the soccer field. She looks like a pro!

Another busy day. I think if I were the kids I would look forward to being out in the field. Back at base camp their days are packed full!


The ladies will began their day with a game of tennis, which will then be followed by a group therapy session. They will then participate in agilithy with Heidi. (The girls call Heidi the MACHINE.) After lunch, the ladies will have a chance to cool down with a nice dip in the swim hole. They will the play a game of basketball just before participating in an awesome abtastic with Jen. The girls will then play an awesome game of football. They will end the evening with a camp wide game of soccer .

Kinzer phone home day was just as fun as ever. She sounds great and told us on numerous occasions how excited she is for our upcoming trip. She said that while the past seven weeks had been long, she thought the next 7 days would seem longer. She can hardly wait to come home. She had another great week. They had a blast rock climbing, and some excitement to boot. There were two copperheads curled up sunning about 10 feet from the base of the rocks they were climbing. She said the climbing instructor did a very good job at giving her specific directions so that she would not freak out. She said, "I did good but some of the other girls lost it. They were crying and everything." They encountered three more copperheads upon their return to camp. No thank you! She had yoga this evening after our visit and was very excited about that. She has been playing a lot of soccer and says she really enjoys it with the exception of a sore back. Her lower back has been bothering her lately. We asked about the bad picture. She was having a tough day. Her favorite counselor left and they were all having a tough time. If I understood her correctly, she drove away while they were playing, which made it even harder for them all. We asked if she had heard from any of the kids who left after 4 or 6 weeks. They have received email or letters from all of them. They say it is hard to be home. She seems to be pretty firm in your determination to get us all going on a routine, which will be good for everyone. 24 pounds gone, her goal is at least 6 more before she leaves. We will not find out if she met her goal until we see her face to face. The count down begins! Seven day to go!