Episode 8: Losing Isn't Everything – A Detailed Summary of "Camp Shame"

In the poignant finale of the Camp Shame series, host Kelsey Snelling delves deep into the harrowing realities behind Camp Shane, one of America's longest-running weight loss camps for children. Titled "Losing Isn't Everything," this episode unravels the dark truths that overshadowed the camp's facade of transformation and happiness. Through investigative journalism, personal testimonies, and expert insights, Snelling exposes the systemic issues rooted in fatphobia and the severe emotional and physical toll on its young campers.

1. The Reopening of Camp Shane in Connecticut

Camp Shane, originally located in Ferndale, New York, had been a cornerstone for children seeking weight loss before it unexpectedly relocated to Connecticut in the summer of 2019. This move promised modernization with improved facilities, including dormitory houses, common rooms, functioning toilets, and a fitness center. However, the change also stripped away the camp's rustic charm, replacing it with a more sterile environment.

Kelsey Snelling [12:45]: "When summer 2019 kicked off, campers had to navigate fluorescent-lit halls instead of well-worn, muddy trails that held the memories of Shaner's past."

Despite the upgraded infrastructure, underlying issues persisted, transforming what was supposed to be a sanctuary for weight loss into a nightmare.

2. Unveiling Violations and Unsafe Practices

Pamela Artigas, a concerned parent, recounts her daughter Lily's experience at Camp Shane. Lily, dealing with chronic heart disease and a connective tissue disorder, was drawn to the camp for its advertised medical supervision.

Pamela Artigas [19:30]: "When I found it on the website, it looked like a great fit for Lily."

Initially, Lily lost 22 pounds, but not through healthy means. Instead, campers engaged in dangerous behaviors such as purging and self-dehydration to manipulate their weights for inspections. These toxic habits, a carryover from the Ferndale campus, were exacerbated by the Connecticut location's lack of stringent supervision.

3. The Impact of Technology and Communication Lapses

A significant shift occurred with increased access to smartphones, allowing campers to communicate directly with their parents. This newfound connectivity led to heightened parental concerns and eventual complaints to 211 Child Care, revealing 34 violations in 2019. These violations spanned inadequate camper and staff records, insufficient first aid supplies, poor disease control, and lack of appropriate emergency plans.

Reporter Curry Engel [35:20]: "The Office of Early Childhood had begun to look into the camp, uncovering numerous safety and regulatory issues."

David Attenberg, the campowner, attempted to deflect blame by citing differences in state licensing requirements between New York and Connecticut. However, the discrepancies in regulations led to significant oversight failures.

4. A Tragic Accident and the Onset of Investigations

In mid-2019, a catastrophic incident occurred when an eight-year-old camper was severely injured by a falling athletic goal post during an unsupervised activity. Although the child eventually recovered, the event underscored the camp's glaring safety deficiencies.

Ramona Schwartz [42:10]: "A child was in a serious accident while at camp. The rope wasn't secure, and it got tangled around his hands, leading to severe injuries."

This accident, coupled with ongoing reports of unsafe conditions, propelled state authorities to intensify their scrutiny of Camp Shane.

5. The 2021 Reopening Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Despite the turbulence of 2019, Camp Shane managed to reopen in summer 2021 at the South Kent School in Connecticut. Parents, including Ramona Schwartz, hoped for improvements, unaware of the impending chaos.

Ramona Schwartz [58:45]: "The organization wasn't there. There was no preparation. Even as summer approached, Shane offered no information to parents."

Upon arrival, campers like Stellan, Ramona's transgender son, faced disorganization from day one. Lost luggage, confiscated phones, and a lack of advertised activities marked the beginning of a distressing summer.

Stellan Schwartz [62:30]: "When I walked up to her to do my shot, she handed it to me and was like, 'I'm not registered to give you a shot. You need to do it yourself.'"

The absence of essential staff, such as the nutritionist and trained counselors, led to unsupervised activities. Reports of alcohol, vapes, junk food, and inappropriate behavior among campers became rampant, transforming the camp environment into a perilous atmosphere.

6. Parental Intervention and the Collapse of Camp Shane

As parents began receiving alarming reports from their children, they formed a private group to share concerns and coordinate rescue efforts. A particularly horrifying incident involved an eight-year-old girl suffering a severe head injury due to inadequate supervision.

Damien Rothenberg, a surgeon and parent [78:15]: "Her injury looked like somebody who'd been hit with a pipe. It was sheer terror."

On July 10, 2021, amidst dwindling counselor numbers and escalating chaos, Camp Shane abruptly closed without proper closure protocols, leaving parents scrambling to retrieve their children within a mere 48-hour window.

Ramona Schwartz [85:50]: "I rented a car and pulled up to camp Thursday afternoon. She and her friends put her camp stuff in the back of my car, and no one came out to talk to me."

7. Official Investigations and Final Findings

The Office of Early Childhood (OEC) and the Department of Children and Families launched a comprehensive investigation, uncovering a staggering 12 complaints against Camp Shane in 2021 alone—a significant proportion compared to the state's yearly average.

Key findings included:

• Lack of Medical Supervision: Missing CPR certifications, improperly administered medications, and absence of certified lifeguards.
• Staff Misconduct: Counselors neglecting duties, engaging in inappropriate relationships, and exhibiting bullying behavior.
• Safety Hazards: Unsanctioned use of medications, absence of emergency response plans, and inadequate supervision during activities.

Curry Engel [102:40]: "The investigation found missing campers, falsified documents, and severe safety violations that couldn't be overlooked."

As a result, David Attenberg was compelled to surrender Camp Shane's license, effectively barring any future operation of the camp under his management.

8. The Lasting Impact on Campers

The trauma inflicted on campers extended far beyond the summer months. Pamela's daughter Lily developed a severe eating disorder and struggled with ongoing health complications directly linked to her experience at Camp Shane.

Pamela Artigas [120:25]: "Based on the labs, she can no longer hold food down on her own. She's spontaneously vomiting, and it could have a fatal effect on her heart and metabolic systems."

Stellan's mental health deteriorated, leading to depression and withdrawal, compounded by insufficient support upon his return.

Stellan Schwartz [125:10]: "I was depressed, honestly. It was traumatic, and it did have a big impact on the trajectory of my life back then."

Other former campers echoed similar sentiments, expressing feelings of abandonment, lack of support, and long-term psychological scars.

9. Societal Reflections on Fatphobia and Body Inclusivity

The episode contextualizes Camp Shane's failures within the broader societal obsession with thinness and the pervasive nature of fatphobia. Experts and advocates highlight ongoing discrimination in various sectors, including employment and housing, exacerbating the challenges faced by individuals with larger bodies.

Tigris Osborne [135:00]: "There's wage disparity, housing discrimination, and employment bias that fat individuals face daily."

Dr. Lisa Erlanger emphasizes a shift towards weight-inclusive healthcare practices, questioning the efficacy and morality of aggressive weight interventions that may inflict more harm than good.

Dr. Lisa Erlanger [140:15]: "There's a rising interest in the harms of being so aggressive about body size. What stigma does that perpetuate?"

Parents are encouraged to equip their children with the tools to combat weight stigma and foster environments of acceptance and self-love.

Dr. Rachel Milner [145:50]: "We can give our kids the internal resources to identify and combat weight stigma, ensuring their bodies are always accepted."

10. Personal Reflections from Former Campers

The narrative is enriched with personal accounts from former Camp Shane attendees who grapple with complex emotions and lasting effects from their time at the camp.

• Carl Evans, a counselor, likens his experience to having an abusive parent he still loved, acknowledging his complicity in the camp's harm.

  Carl Evans [155:30]: "I felt complacent in the harm that was happening, even though we were actively defending and protecting against things that could be harmful."

• Stacey Toth, a 90s camper, reflects on the lack of support and unhealthy focus on weight loss.

  Stacey Toth [160:45]: "I can choose to nourish my body without feeling like I need to count calories. That's something I didn't learn at camp."

• Mark Rothenberg, an 80s camper, expresses regrets about his parents' decision, advocating for holistic self-confidence over physical appearance.

  Mark Rothenberg [165:20]: "We should be teaching kids how to find something they love that gives them self-confidence not tied to their physical appearance."

11. Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions

Camp Shame wraps up by juxtaposing the problematic legacy of Camp Shane with a hopeful vision for a more inclusive and compassionate society. Emphasizing the need to dismantle fatphobic structures, the episode calls for:

• Personal Accountability: Checking internal biases and actively supporting fat acceptance.
• Cultural Shift: Moving away from policing body sizes towards fostering environments where all bodies are respected.
• Systemic Change: Addressing wage disparities, housing discrimination, and employment biases to create a more equitable society.

Tigris Osborne [175:35]: "You can spend your money in places that are accommodating to fat people. Creating more inclusive spaces doesn't require law changes, just heart and mind changes."

Kelsey Snelling underscores the importance of creating safe spaces for children to feel accepted and loved for who they are, rather than being pressured to conform to arbitrary physical standards.

Kelsey Snelling [180:00]: "Safe spaces should be everywhere, where kids feel safe, accepted, and loved for who they are instead of what they look like."

12. Aftermath and Accountability

In the wake of Camp Shane's closure, the physical evidence of wrongdoing—such as a mysterious foot and bone fragments—symbolizes the unresolved traumas and injustices endured by campers. The investigation's closure solidified the camp's legacy as a cautionary tale against unchecked weight loss interventions and institutional negligence.

Kelsey Snelling [185:30]: "These are the coldest of cold cases, but everything is about to change."

The episode concludes by highlighting the collective efforts of parents, campers, and state agencies in holding Camp Shane accountable, ensuring that such malpractices are remembered and prevented in the future.

Final Reflections

"Losing Isn't Everything" serves as a powerful indictment of Camp Shane's approach to weight loss for children, illustrating how societal pressures and flawed institutional practices can inflict deep, lasting harm. Through meticulous investigation and heartfelt personal stories, Kelsey Snelling not only exposes the camp's deficiencies but also advocates for a broader societal transformation towards body acceptance and the eradication of fatphobia. This concluding episode leaves listeners with a compelling call to action: to champion inclusivity, support mental and physical well-being, and ensure that no child endures the trauma that plagued Camp Shane.