Weekend Camp for the Treatment of Eating Disorders

Finding Help for Eating Disorders Isn't Easy

Finding help for eating disorders isn't easy. While early intervention appears to be more effective and less costly than in-patient treatment, finding the right team of specialists to treat eating disorders in adolescents can be challenging due to difficulty in finding the best specialists, obtaining insurance coverage, convincing a child to go through with treatment and following often rigorous treatments. It can be even harder if you live in a part of the state where there aren't a lot of experts, if any at all.

The Camp Experience

Taking part in group therapy for the treatment of eating disorders for several weeks can be time consuming, especially when you have other children or have busy work and family schedules. Based on our successful weekly parent and adolescent skill building groups, we created a weekend program that assists families onto an effective recovery path that can continue at home.

Supported by a grant from the Flinn Foundation, we offer a weekend camp, for children 13 to 18 years old who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder and at least one parent or guardian.

With the goal of increasing resiliency, supporting restoration, improving communication and fostering self-advocacy, our Hough Center camp staff will help parents and teens learn strategies and skills through:

• cognitive behavioral therapy
• dialectical behavioral therapy
• art therapy
• role play
• communication strategies
• group dynamics
• peer support
• self-care

The program provides coached therapeutic meals and fun, family team-building activities in a peaceful rural setting. The cost, $500 per family unit of an adolescent and one or two parents, covers room and board at the camp, family-style meals, all supplies and materials, expert teaching from the interdisciplinary team and assistance with developing an ongoing recovery plan at home with option of future consultation to their home providers (separate fee for future health care visits). This may be reimbursable through a health care reimbursement account. Scholarships available based on need.

Our Expertise

Beaumont's multidisciplinary team that includes:

• a fellowship trained physician who is board certified in adolescent medicine and has great depth of experience in treating eating disorders
• a pediatric social worker
• psychotherapists
• nurse practitioners trained in pediatrics and psychiatry
  
• dietitians to provide nutrition recommendations and assist with implementation
  

Our program uses a collaborative, "no blame" approach that involves you and your child, providing you with techniques to navigate the daily recovery process. Each adolescent is particularly encouraged and empowered to take an active role in his or her recovery.