Academy of the Sierras is now Wellspring Academies

Wellspring Academies, formerly Academy of the Sierras, along with sister programs Wellspring Camps and Wellspring Community Programs, are the recognized leaders in treating pediatric obesity. Thousands of children, teens, and young adults have been given the opportunity to lose weight and learn a healthy lifestyle with the Wellspring programs. Combining our remarkably effective treatment under one name, Wellspring, will ease confusion for the millions seeking simple, scientific, and sustainable treatment.

Academy of the Sierras was founded in 2004 as the first year-round residential treatment program for overweight and obese children and adolescents. Nearly four years later, after having helped many hundreds of students return to a healthy weight, Academy of the Sierras has been renamed Wellspring Academies. Academy of the Sierras California will henceforth be known as Wellspring Academy of California. Academy of the Sierras North Carolina will be called Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas.

Also founded in 2004, Wellspring Camps, Academy of the Sierras sister programs, have helped many more young people return to a healthy weight. In 2008, Wellspring will operate nine summer camps in the U.S., England and Australia.

Continued Global Increase of Childhood Obesity

Despite the fact that Academy of the Sierras and Wellspring programs have helped thousands return to a healthy weight and learn the skills necessary for successful long-term weight control, the spread of the epidemic of childhood obesity continues relatively unabated.

As we enter the second decade of the childhood obesity epidemic, overweight and obesity have become the single biggest health threat facing our children. Today over 1/3 of all American children and adolescents – nearly 25 million in total – are overweight or obese.

Meanwhile, only one in three families with obese children have ever been spoken to by a health care professional about their child’s weight. And only one in five parents with overweight children recognize that their child has a weight problem. Meanwhile, 90% of overweight adolescents are destined to become obese adults, with all the attendant health issues involved.

This is why public health and demographic researchers are predicting that this generation may be the first in American history to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.

Childhood and adolescent obesity is a serious health issue – one that requires treatment, like any other serious health issue. However, when most Americans think of losing weight, they think of diets, supplements, or exercise equipment advertised on late night television. They do not think of seeking treatment from a health care professional.

Focus on Treatment of Childhood Obesity

In order to successfully turn the tide on childhood obesity, we need to change our mindset to focus (at least in part) on treatment, and to ensure that children in need benefit from the most effective treatment programs.

By consolidating all our programs under the Wellspring brand, we can help accelerate this change and provide the widest range of treatment options for overweight and obese children, adolescents and young adults.

The Wellspring brand connotes wellness as well as the movement necessary to adopt a healthier lifestyle. By providing comprehensive, intensive, multi-disciplinary programs through boarding schools, summer camps, after-school programs, and adventure vacations, Wellspring represents the most effective, scientifically based treatment programs available.

As families and health care professionals begin to focus on treating childhood obesity, many will seek assistance from Wellspring Academies, Wellspring Camps, Wellspring Community Programs, and Wellspring Retreats. Wellspring is helping to lead the charge on behalf of children and their families seeking healthier and better lives.