Camp Jump Start At Living Well Village Gave Us The Experience
Living Well Foundation operates the Living Well Village located in Imperial, Missouri. Camp Jump Start provides ALL programming where magic and miracles occur routinely for our members.
Camp Jump Start was founded in 2003 by registered nurse Jean Huelsing and her family. This camp has revolutionized weight loss camps for kids with health professional designed programs and licensed professionals teaching on-site. The program is holistic, addressing the individual needs of each child. Successful outcomes for these children and families have been well-documented in consumer magazines and scientific articles, and the camp has been recognized by letters of support from institutions such as the National Institutes of Health and Washington University School of Medicine. Camp Jump Start was named a “best practice” by the Cooper Institute and by the National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality. Camp Jump Start is positioned as an expert in the field for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. Yet, Camp Jump Start is so much more than a weight loss camp—it is the original health camp healing minds, bodies and spirits. Click OUTCOMES (bottom of this page) to see the difference a summer made!
With the success of in-person Camp Jump Start, the Huelsing’s wanted to expand this life-changing program so ALL struggling families could participate no matter their personal circumstances. The Huelsing Family founded the Living Well Foundation so the community could donate and support those needing financial assistance.
During residential summer camp, it was noted that more and more kids were coming to camp diagnosed on the autism spectrum. The special education instructor worked with these kids to develop a care plan that addressed each child’s specific needs. Parents began to credit camp for their child’s successes at home. Many of these children have gone on to finish college and begin life on their own. Camp was instrumental in making this happen.
Due to the fallout from the Covid era, it was decided that Living Well Village would be converted into the home of the Camp Jump Start
“Autism Family Retreat Center”. Camp has had almost a quarter of a century serving this population. Our special education teacher, Marcie Huelsing works with these children and families directly at camp and then offers follow-up coaching for families once home. Families meet and form community with other families having the same life experience. Support groups for siblings are formed. But it is all about reaching the struggling child which matters most. It is a monumental moment when an eight-year-old, nonverbal child speaks and calls his mother “Mama” for the first time. Socialization with human interaction and connection makes all the difference.
Camp Jump Start Training for Life online clubs offer something for everyone and all memberships / tuition goes to supporting the
non-profit. These online training clubs address the health and wellness of all ages and stages of life. Each member has the opportunity to improve their health and even reverse disease. Everyone learns things that they never knew, they never knew!
We invite you to become a member and / or make Living Well Foundation your charity of choice with a donation today!
Still unsure? Get to know us by signing up for an Annual Pass where you receive a recorded Zoom presentation immediately and then TWO live Zoom invites once in the Spring and another in the Fall on topics our membership requests (or listen to the recording available for two weeks following the live presentation). You will also receive emails for food recalls as they become known.
See CAMP CLUBS then under PRICING you will find more information.
*Weight loss and other health benefits achieved may vary camper to camper.