For many kids, summer is a time to head off to camp to learn more about music, sports or just to have fun.

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KVUE's Quita Culpepper reports

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But for some, it's a last ditch effort to lose excess pounds. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 16 percent of kids between 9 and 16 are obese.

Johna Feldman, 14, is spending her summer break losing weight.

"I've never been away from home this long," she said. "I didn't think it'd be as fun as it is."

Johna is one of more than 70 boys and girls attending Wellspring Camp in San Marcos. Wellspring is among the growing number of 21st century programs that go well beyond the stereotypical "fat camp."

"Bootcamp, starvation -- that's what you think of when you think of fat camp just putting everybody together and starving the kids," said Jillian Penque, Wellspring fitness instructor.

Wellspring uses nutrition and culinary classes, behavorial therapy and physical activities the kids will enjoy to help the weight drop off rapidly. Campers lose an average of four pounds a week. And for many kids, a camp like this is a last resort to lose weight and improve their health.

"We're trying to give you the tools to be successful for life and if you can't do it here, I don't know what else to tell you," Penque said.

Wellspring has its share of success stories -- like Andrew Fowlkes. The teenager weighed 327 pounds when he first came to Wellspring Camp last year. The extra weight definately had a negative effect on his life.

"Socially it was pretty hard because you have people making fun of you and it's not as easy to fit in with the other kids who can do other things," Andrew said.

But with help and hard work he managed to make a positive change.

"This morning in fact I just weighed in at 195."

Now he's back at Wellspring to help new campers through the hard times while they whittle their waistlines, build self esteem and learn a life lesson this summer.

Once the kids finish the four to eight week program, Wellspring counselors also monitor their progress at home for a year, to make sure the new lifestyle lessons stick.