Our History

Camp Kingsmont History

In 1971, years before obesity became an epidemic, Camp Kingsmont opened its gates to the first weight-loss camp in New England. Lloyd “Doc” Appleton, PhD predicted the need for a physical fitness program. As a U.S. Olympic medalist (Sliver, 1928, wrestling) and a professor of Physical Education at West Point, he was keenly aware of the challenges in helping boys and girls overcome their weight problems. To meet this challenge, he developed a uniquely significant program stressing the development of personal dignity for the whole child.

Camp Kingsmont was designed to provide an intense and in-depth experience. Doc believed in order for a camper to change old habits, it was necessary to have happy experiences of self-expression, belonging and achievement in activities. Doc felt that emotional support along with proper diet and healthy physical activity was the key to lasting weight control.

“Everyone needs to be someone who counts.”

Doc, Kingsmont brochure 1977

The camp’s foundation sprung out of Doc's concern for children’s emotions. Dignity is earned from the standards by which one lives. Doc saw the essence of the Kingsmont program in the standards we set for our campers and ourselves. He saw seven standards as essential to dignity:

  • Effort: willingness to strive, interests, capabilities.
  • Expression: positive personal and social attitudes, self-control, knowledge, personal habits, physical skills, cheerfulness, cleanliness, respectful language and posture.
  • Friendliness: honesty, generosity, loyalty, emotional stability.
  • Sportsmanship: respect for rules, respect for self and others, courtesy.
  • Responsibility: acceptance of challenges, consideration of others, dependability, patience.
  • Choices: based on beliefs, precepts and principles.
  • Dedication: worthy goals, understanding, pride, confidence, determination, a satisfying self-image, leadership.

Doc viewed campers as having three important dimensions (see illustration) with regards to the Kingsmont program:

  1. The Action Dimension - the "what" and "how" of the things that a camper does, e.g., general actions, physical activities, conversation or any observable characteristics. Every camper is bound to do something by force of habit.
  2. The Internal Dimension - a camper's drive to act is the result of the combination of interests, desires, attitudes, beliefs, and confidences. Their general make-up since birth.
  3. The Emotional Dimension- the complete internal reaction to the effect of others upon a camper taking an active role in an organized group.

Each of these dimensions provides vital learning experiences that directly affect each other. Consequently, if principles and precepts have been carefully followed, the results are found in the strength and character of the camper. The Kingsmont staff was/is very carefully selected to help campers find this character.

Camp Kingsmont First Weight loss Camp in New England

Soon after Kingsmont opened, Marc Manoli attended the first of many summers. The year was 1975. He was the youngest camper that summer, having turned eight just a couple of weeks prior to camp. Marc went on to become a Counselor, Division Leader and eventually Director in 1996. For twenty-five years, he enjoyed a close relationship with Doc.

The Kingsmont legacy of children's fitness has been passed onto Marc. His desire to improve the program led him to Boston College to receive his Bachelor of the Arts in Psychology. He has been able to mold Kingsmont's past philosophy with today's consciousness, creating a new motto "If it isn't fun, why do it?"