A unique summer camp for overweight children and teenagers

The "Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital" at Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer is running a special summer camp for children and teenagers aged 6-17 who suffer from overweight and obesity.

The goal of this special summer camp, the only one of its kind in Israel, is to encourage a healthy lifestyle and correct eating habits.

Overweight children and teenagers often have difficulty enjoying themselves in general and during school vacations in particular. For the most part, they do not join the "regular" summer camps because of feelings of "embarrassment" or because of an inability to perform like the rest of their friends (for example to run or take part in other sports activities).
 

Many times, during vacations, the children stay at home without doing anything. As a result of this, they are liable to gain weight and withdraw socially.
 

In order to fill the needs of these children and teenagers, the staff of the pediatric obesity clinic in the endocrinology department at Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer has decided to run a special summer camp for overweight children and teenagers. The food at the summer camp will be prepared from a special menu, designed by one of the hospital's expert dieticians.
 

Different activities will take place at the summer camp: Theater, a film production, meetings with actors, a workshop on make-up and beauty care (that will accentuate areas of attractiveness other than the children's weight), a workshop for preparing healthy and nutritious food, and more.
 

As well, an emphasis will be placed on sports activities and physical training that are appropriate for children and teenagers who are overweight, for example, water aerobics. There will be many types of counselors on hand: A psychodrama therapist, a specialist in physical education and additional counselors who are specialists in psychology or physical education.
 

The summer camps will be held at Kfar Hayarok in two sessions: 11/07-23/07 and 25/7-30/7.
The summer camps include dormitory accommodations but there is the option for whoever wants to just participate during the day (8:00-17:00) with transportation provided.