From Camper to Counselor: A Success Story

Sam Friedman attended Tony Sparber's New Image Weight-loss Camp in the Poconos during its first season in 1999. He was your stereo-typical teenager - an overweight teen with all the problems that come with it in today's society. He lost 40 pounds that first summer at Pocono Trails. But that was not even the best thing to happen to Sam that summer. He learned to take control of his life. He learned that he could change his life and losing the weight was just step one. Sam knew that through the commitment he learned at Pocono Trails that he was able to makes a change not just in his weight, but himself. After that summer, he tried out for the cross country running squad for the first time. He ended up making the varsity team his freshman year of high school, something he said he couldn't imagine doing before that summer.

Today Sam's weight has gone from 278 pounds to 165 pounds. He is currently in college, where he works full time and lifeguards. Sam has continued to work at camp during the summer. As he has grown at camp over the years, so has his role in the camp grown. This past summer as group leader, he helped guide the youngest boys through some very successful weight loss. When asked what he thought was the best part of coming to Pocono Trails, he replied "I think the weight loss is great, but it is secondary to the friends you make. The most important thing I learned is to make a commitment to change in your life."

Come tour the camp! See for yourself that Camp Pocono Trails is the ultimate weight loss camp!