2009 Results

Camp Kingsmont is a fitness camp operated each summer at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA for boys and girls ages 9 to 18. Campers may stay at camp for between 2 and 8 weeks.

Campers are divided into divisions by gender and age. During the summer 2009 boys ages 16 to 18 were in Division 1; boys 13 to 15 Division 2; and boys 9 to 12 division 3. Girls ages 17 and 18 were in Division 12; girls 15 and 16 Division 11; girls 13 and 14 Division 10; girls 9 to 12 Division 9. The number of divisions and ages within each division may vary summer to summer depending on enrollment. As a general rule, we have twice as many girls as boys at camp.

During the summer 2009 we lost 2,182 lbs or an average of just over 3.5 lbs per camper per week. We also lost 1,087 inches from four measured areas and more specifically, 386 inches from our waists. The average number of inches lost by each camper was 9.1 inches for the four measured areas and 3.2 inches at the waist.

A number of factors influence the summer weight loss. As a general rule, on average, boys lose more weight than girls and older campers tend to lose more weight than younger campers. Dedicated campers that work hard and carefully follow the fitness and nutrition regimes generally lose more weight than campers that are less dedicated. Finally, campers with high BMI’s tend to lose more weight, on average, than campers with lower initial BMI’s.

We have found that the longer a camper stays at camp, the more he or she will lose not only in total, but on average per week. It takes at least four weeks for the full benefits of the fitness and nutrition programs to have a significant impact. While campers do lose weight every week, the weight loss accelerates after four weeks. Moreover, it takes about one month for new exercise and eating habits to become ingrained.

The Division 1 boys lost an average of 4.4 lbs per week; the Division 2 boys lost an average 4.1 lbs per week; and the Division 3 boys lost an average of 3.7 lbs per week. Together, the boys lost an average of 4.2 lbs per week. DJ led the way with a loss of just under 60 lbs in 8 weeks or an average or 7.5 lbs per week.

The Division 12 and Division 9 girls lost an average of 3.1 lbs per week; the Division 11 girls lost an average of 3.0 lbs per week; and the Division 10 girls lost an average of 3.5 lbs per week. Together the girls lost 3.2 lbs per week. Weight loss for the girls generally ranged from 2.2 lbs per week (for a short stay at camp) to more than 6.0 lbs per week (for a girl that stayed the full 8 weeks).

Follow up studies with our 2009 campers will gauge the effectiveness of our nutrition and fitness programs and the viability of our after care programs. Continuous motivation and support is available here on our web site and from communications with the camp directors and the many new friends made at camp.

2008 Results

Weight loss at Camp Kingsmont is a direct byproduct of a three pronged program aimed at changing the way campers live their lives. We combine good nutrition and nutrition education with physical activity and group discussion sessions aimed at improving self esteem. Doc Appleton founded Camp Kingsmont in 1967 built on the premise that ‘everyone needs to be someone who counts.’ We have embraced that philosophy and strive to offer individual guidance in a controlled group setting.

During the summer 2008 campers could stay at camp from two to seven weeks. Campers were weighed and measured when they arrived at camp and just prior to departure. Pictures were taken of the campers at each weigh-in.

The 177 campers that were weighed and measured stayed at camp a total of 862 weeks or 4.87 weeks per camper. The campers lost a total of 3,015 lbs which is 17.0 lbs per camper and 3.5 lbs per camper per week. Campers were measured at the waist, hips, chest/bust, calf, bicep and thigh. Together, the 177 campers lost a total of 2,321 inches or 13.1 inches per camper. The 177 campers lost a total of 740 inches from their waists for an average of 4.2 inches per camper.

Campers at Camp Kingsmont are divided into divisions. The divisions are divided by gender then generally by age and physical ability. The oldest boys (15 to 17) stayed at camp an average of 5.56 weeks per camper and lost an average 28.6 lbs and 16.7 inches per camper (and an average 5.3 inches at the waist). The oldest girls (16 to 17) stayed at camp an average of 4.89 weeks per camper and lost an average 16.5 lbs and 12.5 inches per camper (4.1 inches at the waist). 2008 results for other divisions are available upon request.

The campers that stayed at camp the longest during the summer posted the best results without regard to gender or age. Weight loss per week in pounds is as follows:

Individual weight loss results varied for a variety of reasons such as initial physical condition, age and the level of commitment during the programs. Some campers followed the camp diet carefully and exercised with great enthusiasm while others had some propensity to cheat on the diet and exercised with less vigor. As an example, the range of weight loss for our 7 week boys was 45 lbs to 19 lbs and the range of weight loss for our 7 week girls was 32 lbs to 15 lbs. As with anything that is worthwhile, you get out of it that which you put into it.