Episode 7: Nobody Believes the Fat Kid
Release Date: July 3, 2025
Host: Kelsey Snelling
Podcast: Camp Shame by iHeartPodcasts
Introduction: Unveiling the Dark Side of Camp Shane
In this poignant episode of Camp Shame, host Kelsey Snelling delves deep into the troubling allegations of sexual abuse at Camp Shane, one of America's longest-running weight loss camps for children. While the camp promised transformative weight loss and boosted self-esteem, behind the scenes, a culture of abuse and fatphobia thrived, leaving lasting scars on its campers.
The Allure of Young Love and Its Perils
Summer at Camp Shane was marketed as a haven where children could shed their physical insecurities and experience the joys of young romance. However, this environment also became a breeding ground for inappropriate and abusive relationships.
- Kelsey Snelling [02:07]: “Summer Love the subject of countless songs, movies and poems, it's an experience many young people spend all year dreaming about. For Shaners especially, summertime was a chance for an epic romance in picturesque woods with no parents around and self-confidence growing by the day.”
Campers were encouraged to engage in relationships, ostensibly to normalize dating experiences. However, the scarcity mindset—where the limited weeks at camp were seen as the sole opportunity for love—led to coercive and dangerous encounters.
Free Play: The Cradle of Unmonitored Interactions
One of the primary settings where abuse thrived was during "free play," an unstructured hour each day where campers could mingle without supervision.
- Ariel Berger [04:44]: “Free play was the only period of the day that campers got to use their time however they pleased. This is where I first got banaka and gum and you would trade it and you know, you'd try and find an area and make out.”
Despite rules permitting only mild physical affection, the lack of effective oversight allowed many campers to push beyond these boundaries, creating an environment ripe for abuse.
The Nookie Patrol: A Miknown Issue
To enforce the rules, counselors initiated the "nookie patrol," designed to monitor and curb inappropriate behavior. However, this often led to confrontations and further complications.
- Meryl Winter [05:51]: “At first, the counselors, they loved being on this patrol. I mean, they just loved it. They would get creative. They'd bring flashlights and alarms... And a few of them caught kids in very hairy situations.”
Seth Kwitko's Story: A Harrowing Journey
At the heart of this episode lies the heart-wrenching story of Seth Kwitko, a former camper who endured severe abuse at the hands of a counselor named Peter.
- Seth Kwitko [13:02]: “He made me enjoy the camp more. He made me feel less homesick. He made me feel comfortable. He did what I thought a counselor should do.”
- Seth Kwitko [14:11]: “He would ply me with food. As we know in camp, food is currency... he would sneak in things and he would give them to me.”
Initially, Peter was a supportive figure, providing Seth with attention and treats, fostering a false sense of security. However, over time, Peter's behavior became increasingly inappropriate and sexually charged.
- Seth Kwitko [17:50]: “And he just kept chipping away and chipping away and chipping away... And then ... mutual masturbation... he would want to kiss me, and then he would do fellatio, and then it just kept going.”
Feelings of shame, guilt, and confusion overwhelmed Seth, making it difficult for him to recognize the abuse and confide in anyone.
Cultural Underpinnings of Abuse: Fatphobia and Its Role
Dr. Rachel Milner, a licensed psychologist and fat activist, provides critical insights into how societal fatphobia exacerbates the vulnerability of campers like Seth.
- Dr. Rachel Milner [09:05]: “Many higher weight teens have had the experience of not being invited to prom, or not being asked out on a date, or being told that they're not attractive.”
This pervasive stigma not only lowers self-esteem but also creates an environment where abusive behavior is more likely to go unchecked, as the camp's culture implicitly values thinness over the well-being of its campers.
Additional Abuse Cases and Legal Ramifications
Seth's case was not isolated. Another camper filed a lawsuit in 2021, alleging that Camp Shane failed to protect a 15-year-old autistic boy from assault by a peer, highlighting systemic issues within the camp's management.
- Kelsey Snelling [30:46]: “Fat women are significantly less likely to be believed about sexual abuse than thin women. This has been reflected in multiple studies.”
These cases underscore the camp's negligence in addressing abuse, further fueled by a culture that devalues the self-worth of its campers based on their body size.
The Struggle for Healing and Justice
Seth's journey toward healing was long and arduous. Encouraged by changes in New York State law—the Child Victims Act—Seth felt empowered to finally speak out and seek justice.
- Seth Kwitko [36:57]: “When I was 12, I was sexually abused.”
- Ariel Berger [36:57]: “Then in 2019, something caught Seth's attention... He knew that this undertaking would require him to finally tell his mother.”
Through therapy and legal action, Seth began to process his trauma, emphasizing the importance of self-worth and the realization that the abuse was not his fault.
The Aftermath: Camp Shane's Closure and Reflections
Following the lawsuit and mounting allegations, Camp Shane faced intense scrutiny. Although the camp tried to rebrand and reopen under new management, the shadow of past abuses lingered, ensuring that such a chapter would not be repeated without accountability.
- Kelsey Snelling [42:43]: “We reached out to David Attenberg, Zippora Janowski, and Peter for comment. At the time of this recording, we have not received a reply.”
The closure marked the end of an era but also served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked authority and cultural stigmas.
Conclusion: The Heavy Price of Shame
Nobody Believes the Fat Kid is a sobering exploration of how systemic issues, fueled by societal fatphobia and lack of oversight, can lead to devastating abuse. Through Seth's and Stacy's stories, the episode underscores the importance of creating environments where all children feel valued and safe, free from the pressures of fitting into harmful cultural narratives.
Notable Quotes
- Kelsey Snelling [08:21]: “Seth didn't have another person he could talk to that he trusted.”
- Dr. Rachel Milner [09:00]: “Fat kids are taught that they're not desirable, not. And I'm not talking about for any kind of dating relationship, I'm talking about friendships.”
- Stacy Toth [33:13]: “I wholeheartedly believe that that happened because of the roots that took place at Camp Shane and the belief that my value, my self worth, was so low.”
- Seth Kwitko [37:26]: “My hope is that I'm not just healing myself, but I'm gonna get others to start healing as well.”
Final Thoughts
This episode of Camp Shame sheds light on the profound and lasting impact that abusive environments can have on vulnerable youth. By bringing these stories to the forefront, Kelsey Snelling not only seeks justice for survivors but also aims to dismantle the toxic cultural narratives that make such abuse possible.
Resources and Support:
If you or someone you know has experienced similar abuse, please reach out to professional support services or contact Camp Shame through their Instagram to share your story.