About Us
The Living Well Foundation was born out of the desire to educate and empower people to live life well. Our mission is to create healthier individuals/family units through experiential learning.
Camp Jump Start is the jumping board to the Living Well Foundation. Camp Jump Start was founded in 2003 by the Huelsing Family. It is a life changing residential summer health/weight loss camp for kids. Kids historically lose between 10-60 pounds while living at camp for 4-8 weeks. The weight loss is dramatic, but it is the gain in self-confidence and self-esteem that is awesome! There are children who have type II diabetes that go home and are taken off all medication and blood sugar levels are normal. There are kids with asthma that leave symptom-free. There are children with high lipid profiles that go back within normal limits. There are depressed kids that leave feeling good about themselves and are taken off medications.
Camp Jump Start is accredited by the American Camp Association and won a silver award from the Cooper Institute. The national congress of the National Initiative on Children’s Healthcare Quality recognized CJS as a best practice.
Camp Jump Start curriculum was developed by health professionals who were specialists in their fields—for example, strength training was designed by a physical therapist, a registered dietician teaches the nutrition classes---and all programs were reviewed by licensed physicians.
The outcomes have been better than anticipated. But it is the education that makes the true difference. Families are given homework while the kids are at camp. After camp, the interactive website for self-monitoring and group support along with phone calls and reunions keep the families on track well after camp is over.
Camp Jump Start is the TREATMENT program for childhood obesity (www.campjumpstart.com).... the Living Well Foundation focuses on PREVENTION for all but can empower overweight individuals to lead healthier lifestyles.
The Living Well Foundation developed the WIT program. WIT is the acronym for Wellness in Teens, Tweens or Tots depending on the target audience. This successful program is the basis of our "mini-camps" at the Living Well Village.
The Living Well Village is accredited by the American Camp Association. It is also licensed by Jefferson County, Missouri as a lodging establishment.
2007-2008 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
