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Health & Fitness

Strong4Life: Find Fun, Fitness and Friendships at Camp Strong4Life

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta knows that keeping your family healthy is a priority. That's why our team of doctors, psychologists, exercise experts and dietitians created Camp Strong4Life.

This week's guest blogger is Lauren Lorenzo, Director, Camp Strong4Life.

Do any of these scenarios sound familiar to you?

  • My children refuse to drink anything but soda or juice and say they don’t like the taste of water.
  • My daughter won’t put on a bathing suit and swim anymore because she’s too self-conscious.
  • When I look through his backpack, I find food I didn’t buy.
  • My son gets out of breath walking up the stairs.
  • My daughter’s teacher says she has trouble concentrating and lacks energy.

Have you ever thought, “I know we probably need to make some changes at home, but between my job, homework and after-school activities, I just don’t have the time to even think about where to start”?

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I’m a mom…so I get it.  We didn’t get an owner’s manual when we became parents and there’s no 800 number to call when we have questions, especially when it comes to our kid’s nutrition and health.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the place you have always trusted for expert pediatric care, knows that keeping your family healthy is a priority.  That’s why our expert team of doctors, psychologists, exercise experts and dietitians created Camp Strong4Life.

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Located at Camp Twin Lakes and overseen by our pediatricians, Camp Strong4Life caters to children struggling with their weight and dealing with the health/social issues that come with that struggle (like many of those above).  While enjoying the time-honored summer camp experiences all kids love, your child will also learn how to live a healthier life.  Now, as parents we know that the only way real change happens at home is when everyone is involved and working together, right?  That’s why Camp Strong4Life isn’t just for the camper, but the whole family!

Camp kicks-off with a high-energy Family Welcome Weekend in the spring. While the kids find out about all the fun they will have and new things they will learn, you will meet with our expert staff and attend seminars and meetings to get all the information and support you’ll need. Then, during the summer, kids return for a week of overnight camp with great camp fun: swimming, rock-wall climbing, archery, zip-lining, playing games, building friendships and making memories that last a lifetime.  In the fall, our Family Reunion Weekend brings families and camp experts back together to share and cement lessons learned and lifestyle changes made. Together, we’ll celebrate your wins and reinforce your new habits with the care and encouragement you expect from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Think Camp Strong4Life might be a good fit for your child/children?  Click here for more information about the program, including general and medical requirements (ex: age range, BMI, etc.), application forms and cost information.

As Camp Director and a mom, I firmly believe that when you lower your child’s risk for serious long-term medical issues, you not only make them healthier, but happier – which is what Camp Strong4Life is all about!  If your child does attend camp this summer, please be sure to find me and say hello – I look forward to meeting each and every one of you!

Strong4Life is a movement created by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to address the childhood obesity medical crisis that is threatening nearly one million kids in Georgia. For information about Strong4Life visit our website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Strong4Life Blog.

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