Sometimes when a child is a little overweight, they may be teased and one of the things that may come up is the vague and scary threat of being sent away to “fat camp.”  Most kids have no idea what that really means, and think it’s a jail-like place where you’re starved and forced to do hard labor in an effort to get thin.

In the past, unfortunately, that may have been true.  However, today it’s a completely different vision of “fat camp”; California in particular has many camps that are set up like regular summer camps, but that are designed to help kids kick start some weight loss and show them how to do it in their everyday lives.

California has incredibly beautiful areas for camps, and you should be able to find one that perfectly suits your child’s likes and dislikes.  If they’re into the ocean, there are camps that focus on ocean sports and activities.  After all, some of the best exercises are water-related, like swimming and kayaking.

If your child would rather get into the cool mountain air, California has many mountain ranges, big and small, and there are great camps to be found in all of them.  Hiking, swimming, and archery are mainstays of these camps, and even unusual things like horseback riding and rock climbing can be found in the mountains.

If your child has a special interest, like baseball or dance, it’s easy to find a camp that focuses on that.  If their interest is a sport or physical activity, it’s a great way for them to hone their skills and do something they love; chances are they won’t even realize they’re losing weight in the bargain!