Camp Shame: Episode 5 - Live, Laugh, Lose
Introduction
In Episode 5 of Camp Shame, titled "Live, Laugh, Lose," host Kelsey Snelling delves deeper into her harrowing experience at Camp Shane, one of America’s longest-running weight loss camps for kids. This episode uncovers the dark underbelly of what was marketed as a transformative environment for young campers struggling with weight and body image issues.
Arrival and Initial Impressions
Kelsey begins by recounting her arrival at Camp Shane on June 22, 2011, which coincided with her 21st birthday. Despite the lack of typical birthday treats like alcohol and cake, she was enthusiastic about her role as a camp counselor responsible for a cabin of thirteen-year-old girls.
“It’s June 22, 2011, camper arrival day at Camp Shane. It’s also my 21st birthday, but there’s no alcohol and there’s definitely no cake.” [00:48]
Upon arrival, Kelsey immediately noticed the camp’s deteriorating state. The food was subpar, with minimal portions that failed to meet calorie needs, and the campgrounds were in disrepair.
“I arrived at Camp Shane a few days before my sister, and right away I realized the food was less than optimal... the portions were so minimal.” [09:12]
Counselors' Motivations and Challenges
Kelsey’s sister, Bobby, also joined as a counselor, driven by her own struggles with weight and a desire to inspire the campers. Both Kelsey and Bobby were attracted to Camp Shane by its promises of fostering fitness and self-love among participants.
“I really was going in with a very optimistic view that this would be a place where kids that were struggling with their weight really could get some guidance...” [07:54]
However, the compensation was dismal—coupled with long hours and inadequate pay, counselors were overworked and underpaid, receiving a total of $1,100 for approximately 11 weeks of work.
“Base salary, $550. Completion of contract stipend, $275. Travel stipend, $275. For a total of $1,100...” [08:12]
Camp Activities and Their Impact
Early activities at Camp Shane included mandatory swimsuit photos meant to showcase weight loss transformations. This practice was deeply humiliating for campers, many of whom arrived already anxious about body image.
“Imagine showing up to a completely new place where you know no one, and then you’re asked to take off your clothes and show off your body...” [13:15]
Weekly weigh-ins became a central focus, fostering an unhealthy obsession with the number on the scale. Campers went to extreme lengths to manipulate their weight, including starvation, excessive exercise, and deceitful behaviors like pretending to be constipated to receive laxatives.
“The weigh-ins had been around since the camp’s inception and kids were desperate for their number to go down each week.” [14:04]
Disordered Eating and Mental Health Issues
The restrictive diet at Camp Shane led to widespread disordered eating among campers and counselors alike. Kelsey and her colleagues engaged in secret binge-eating sessions during their time off, indulging in high-calorie treats to cope with the stress and restriction imposed by the camp's regime.
“I consumed a big brownie sundae, complete with four scoops of ice cream and a brownie of magnificent size...” [35:26]
Counselors like Casey struggled with their own body image issues, often exacerbated by the intense environment. Casey shared her personal battle with weight gain during adolescence and her eventual transformation, which motivated her to become a counselor.
“I just decided enough is enough. Threw away all the food in my apartment and I went to the grocery store and just like started from scratch.” [16:54]
Lack of Proper Support and Staff Training
Despite Camp Shane’s claims of having licensed nutritionists and professional staff, the reality was starkly different. Casey, lacking formal training, attempted to educate campers on basic nutrition, but her efforts were insufficient to counteract the camp’s flawed approach.
“We learned how to bake chicken with certain seasonings... but why is the chicken healthy? And they’re like, oh, they didn’t tell us.” [24:07]
Moreover, the camp did not provide adequate psychological support, leaving counselors ill-equipped to handle the emotional and mental health crises that arose among campers.
“How distressing it was to learn about the trauma and the eating disorders and the body dysmorphia...” [31:39]
Crisis and Counselors' Resignation
Tensions peaked when a serious incident involving an 18-year-old male camper with a developmental disability being sexually inappropriate with a 13-year-old girl was mishandled. The camp did not remove the perpetrator, prioritizing the offender’s feelings over the victim’s safety. This negligence led to the resignation of key staff members, including Cole Perry and Danielle—a decision driven by their inability to condone such inaction.
“We just felt like we couldn't be here anymore.” [44:54]
Kelsey herself faced immense pressure, dealing with trauma, depression, and PTSD from her time at Camp Shane. The lack of support and the realization that leaving would mean abandoning vulnerable children compelled her to stay until the end of the summer.
“I felt like it would be easy for me to walk away, but that my campers would still be there...” [54:29]
Aftermath and Reflections
Post-summer, the emotional and psychological toll on Kelsey was profound. She experienced lingering depression and PTSD, fueling her determination to expose the truth about Camp Shane. Her experiences highlighted the camp's systemic failures, including inadequate training, poor management, and a culture deeply entrenched in fatphobia and shame.
“Camp Shane felt like a fever dream. What I saw left me exhausted and empty.” [56:39]
Conclusion and Next Steps
Kelsey concludes the episode by reflecting on the broader societal issues of body shaming and the detrimental effects of dieting culture on young minds. She expresses uncertainty about the role of Simon Greenwood, the hands-on camp director, questioning how someone so revered could allow such harm to continue.
“Maybe Simon was exhausted and depleted, but was sticking around to make sure things didn’t get worse.” [57:59]
Kelsey sets the stage for future episodes by indicating her ongoing investigation into Camp Shane’s operations and the cultural forces that sustained its flawed system for over five decades.
Notable Quotes
- “Trust me, this is going to be an amazing summer.” — Kelsey Snelling [00:48]
- “Their motto was live, laugh, lose.” — Bobby [22:00]
- “Eating disorders are the most lethal mental health disorder, second to opioid use disorder.” — Dr. Lisa Erlanger [32:32]
- “We just couldn't get over it the way that it was just breezed over like it was totally normal.” — Casey [31:39]
- “I wished I knew what David told himself in order to go to sleep at night.” — Cole Perry [45:26]
Final Thoughts
"Live, Laugh, Lose" paints a grim picture of Camp Shane, revealing it as a place where the veneer of transformation masks severe psychological and emotional harm. Through in-depth interviews and personal anecdotes, Kelsey Snelling exposes the camp's failure to provide a safe and supportive environment for its young attendees. This episode serves as a powerful critique of societal obsessions with weight loss and the damaging consequences they can have on vulnerable individuals.
For those interested in exploring the full depth of Camp Shane’s impact, subscribe to Camp Shame on your preferred podcast platform and follow @CampShame on Instagram for updates and additional content.