Mormonism has always had a complicated relationship with America. This episode traces the religion from persecuted frontier movement to powerful Utah institution.  From  Mormonism’s westward expansion and Indigenous dispossession, to their  eventual effort to shed its outsider status and enter the American mainstream, Kate charts how that transformation cemented Mormonism’s focus on gender, sexuality, and eventually, conversion therapy.

Mormonism has always had a complicated relationship with America. This episode traces the religion from persecuted frontier movement to powerful Utah institution.&nbsp; From&nbsp; Mormonism&rsquo;s westward expansion and Indigenous dispossession, to their&nbsp; eventual effort to shed its outsider status and enter the American mainstream, Kate charts how that transformation cemented Mormonism&rsquo;s focus on gender, sexuality, and eventually, conversion therapy.

In Our Lovely Deseret

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3ff57fca-4aee-4941-aafc-b4ef00fc6eb5/transcript

Conversion therapy, often thought of as a bygone practice or bunk science, is alive and well– especially in the secretive niches where institutions and cultural conversations have enabled it to continue flourishing. In Season 2 of Camp Shame, host Kate Kelly, a queer ex-Mormon who was excommunicated from her own community, will trace the rise, fall, and shifting identity of conversion therapy in a state uniquely positioned in the crosshairs of this practice: Utah.

Conversion therapy, often thought of as a bygone practice or bunk science, is alive and well&ndash; especially in the secretive niches where institutions and cultural conversations have enabled it to continue flourishing. In Season 2 of Camp Shame, host Kate Kelly, a queer ex-Mormon who was excommunicated from her own community, will trace the rise, fall, and shifting identity of conversion therapy in a state uniquely positioned in the crosshairs of this practice: Utah.

It’s Not the Altitude

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/dac4f53c-a076-48cc-9a53-b4ec00f565cf/transcript

Conversion therapy, often imagined as a bygone practice of bunk science, is alive and well– from church pews to therapists' offices, state capitols to college campuses. Backed by professionals, and faith leaders, this snakeoil “cure” is sold as hope. 

Welcome to Camp Shame: Season 2, hosted by activist, legal scholar, feminist, and queer ex-Mormon Kate Kelly. This season, we’re telling the stories of Mormons who’ve undergone conversion therapy, the cultural climate that helped conversion programs survive, and why this shame-fueled ill continues to thrive

Conversion therapy, often imagined as a bygone practice of bunk science, is alive and well&ndash; from church pews to therapists' offices, state capitols to college campuses. Backed by professionals, and faith leaders, this snakeoil &ldquo;cure&rdquo; is sold as hope.&nbsp;
Welcome to Camp Shame: Season 2, hosted by activist, legal scholar, feminist, and queer ex-Mormon Kate Kelly. This season, we&rsquo;re telling the stories of Mormons who&rsquo;ve undergone conversion therapy, the cultural climate that helped conversion programs survive, and why this shame-fueled ill continues to thrive

Coming Soon: Camp Shame Season 2

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5deb8a2c-8b3e-4d7f-82d7-b4ec00d1993e/transcript

Camp Shane is back… and as dysfunctional as ever. Kids are running around unsupervised, counselors are dropping out like flies, and medical supervision is pretty much nonexistent. After an accident that leaves a child in critical condition, Camp Shane’s cover is blown. A state investigation reveals what Shaners have known all along, and this time, David won’t get away with it.  

References: 
The Epic Family Feud Behind an Iconic American Weight-Loss Camp for Kids
‘Hoping for a good summer’: Emails give insight into state office’s investigation of weight-loss camp
Connecticut weight-loss camp surrenders license after state investigation
Camp Investigation Finds Serious Health, Safety Issues
State Investigating Youth Weight Loss Camp in Kent After Abrupt Closure
Fat Talk: Parenting in the age of Diet Culture by Virginia Sole-Smith

Camp Shane—one of America’s longest running weight loss camps for kids—promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution.

But there were some dark truths behind  Camp Shane’s facade of happy, transformed children. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. More than 50 years after its founding, host Kelsey Snelling is bringing the real story of Camp Shane to light.

In this eight-episode series, she unpacks and investigates stories of mistreatment and reexamines the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. Along the way, she reveals and weighs the heavy price of shame.

Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram @CampShame

Camp Shane is back&hellip; and as dysfunctional as ever. Kids are running around unsupervised, counselors are dropping out like flies, and medical supervision is pretty much nonexistent. After an accident that leaves a child in critical condition, Camp Shane&rsquo;s cover is blown. A state investigation reveals what Shaners have known all along, and this time, David won&rsquo;t get away with it.&nbsp;&nbsp;
References:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://archive.ph/sVPb7#selection-3009.0-3009.72">The Epic Family Feud Behind an Iconic American Weight-Loss Camp for Kids</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/camp-shane-investigation-emails-16948472.php">&lsquo;Hoping for a good summer&rsquo;: Emails give insight into state office&rsquo;s investigation of weight-loss camp</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.newstimes.com/local/article/Connecticut-weight-loss-camp-surrenders-license-16462436.php">Connecticut weight-loss camp surrenders license after state investigation</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/investigations/camp-investigation-finds-serious-health-safety-issues/2588148/">Camp Investigation Finds Serious Health, Safety Issues</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/state-investigating-youth-weight-loss-camp-in-kent-after-abrupt-closure/2527649/">State Investigating Youth Weight Loss Camp in Kent After Abrupt Closure</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://virginiasolesmith.com/books/fat-talk-parenting-in-the-age-of-diet-culture/">Fat Talk: Parenting in the age of Diet Culture by Virginia Sole-Smith</a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Camp Shane&mdash;one of America&rsquo;s longest running weight loss camps for kids&mdash;promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution.
But there were some dark truths behind&nbsp; Camp Shane&rsquo;s facade of happy, transformed children. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. More than 50 years after its founding, host Kelsey Snelling is bringing the real story of Camp Shane to light.
In this eight-episode series, she unpacks and investigates stories of mistreatment and reexamines the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. Along the way, she reveals and weighs the heavy price of shame.
Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/campshame/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/campshame/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1748454860082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1js-ZNHe9aSuGuiLhV8SYX">@CampShame</a>

Camp Shane is back… and as dysfunctional as ever. Kids are running around unsupervised, counselors are dropping out like flies, and medical supervision is pretty much nonexistent. After an accident that leaves a child in critical condition, Camp Shane’s cover is blown. A state investigation reveals what Shaners have known all along, and this time, David won’t get away with it.  

Losing Isn't Everything

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/dc2a69a4-c3c5-4f6c-8674-b31501344429/transcript

Though Camp Shane is falling apart, kids still love spending their summers there, largely because of the limited parental supervision and endless romantic opportunities. Some counselors do their best to stop the hookups. Others manipulate naive teens for their personal gain. Camp Shane is quickly losing its status as a refuge for overweight kids and becoming a place full of secrets that will haunt campers for decades to come. And one camper is ready to come forward.

If you or someone you know needs support, please visit RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline at https://rainn.org/.

References: 
Helping Children and Adolescents Cope With Traumatic Events
The Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment
Why many sexual assault survivors may not come forward for years
The abuser’s playbook: the weaponization of mental health
What We Don’t Talk about When We Talk about Fat
Why Don’t We Hear Fat Women’s #MeToo Stories?
Weight-Based Discrimination of Rape Victims

Camp Shane—one of America’s longest running weight loss camps for kids—promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution.

But there were some dark truths behind  Camp Shane’s facade of happy, transformed children. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. More than 50 years after its founding, host Kelsey Snelling is bringing the real story of Camp Shane to light.

In this eight-episode series, she unpacks and investigates stories of mistreatment and reexamines the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. Along the way, she reveals and weighs the heavy price of shame.

Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram @CampShame

Though Camp Shane is falling apart, kids still love spending their summers there, largely because of the limited parental supervision and endless romantic opportunities. Some counselors do their best to stop the hookups. Others manipulate naive teens for their personal gain. Camp Shane is quickly losing its status as a refuge for overweight kids and becoming a place full of secrets that will haunt campers for decades to come. And one camper is ready to come forward.
If you or someone you know needs support, please visit RAINN&rsquo;s National Sexual Assault Hotline at<a href="https://rainn.org/"> https://rainn.org/</a>.
References:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/helping-children-and-adolescents-cope-with-disasters-and-other-traumatic-events">Helping Children and Adolescents Cope With Traumatic Events</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/cps/#:~:text=The%20purpose%20of%20the%20Child,each%20county%20in%20New%20York">The Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://journalistsresource.org/health/sexual-assault-report-why-research/">Why many sexual assault survivors may not come forward for years</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://kevinmd.com/2024/04/the-abusers-playbook-the-weaponization-of-mental-health.html">The abuser&rsquo;s playbook: the weaponization of mental health</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/library-research-services/collections/diversity-inclusion-belonging/what-we-dont">What We Don&rsquo;t Talk about When We Talk about Fat</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://medium.com/the-establishment/why-dont-we-hear-fat-women-s-metoo-stories-2e28f799b507">Why Don&rsquo;t We Hear Fat Women&rsquo;s #MeToo Stories?</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4235&amp;context=jur#:~:text=risen%20since%20the%201960s%20and,compounded%20if%20they%20are%20obese.">Weight-Based Discrimination of Rape Victims</a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Camp Shane&mdash;one of America&rsquo;s longest running weight loss camps for kids&mdash;promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution.
But there were some dark truths behind&nbsp; Camp Shane&rsquo;s facade of happy, transformed children. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. More than 50 years after its founding, host Kelsey Snelling is bringing the real story of Camp Shane to light.
In this eight-episode series, she unpacks and investigates stories of mistreatment and reexamines the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. Along the way, she reveals and weighs the heavy price of shame.
Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/campshame/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/campshame/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1748454860082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1js-ZNHe9aSuGuiLhV8SYX">@CampShame</a>

Though Camp Shane is falling apart, kids still love spending their summers there, largely because of the limited parental supervision and endless romantic opportunities. Some counselors do their best to stop the hookups. Others manipulate naive teens for their personal gain. Camp Shane is quickly losing its status as a refuge for overweight kids and becoming a place full of secrets that will haunt campers for decades to come. And one camper is ready to come forward.

Nobody Believes the Fat Kid

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/22b56611-6862-4e46-975c-b30e00e144c9/transcript

By the mid 2010s, things at Camp Shane are going downhill: campers are arriving with serious mental health needs, counselors are stretched thin, and untrained “health experts” are running the show. When a key staffer finally leaves, the cracks in the camp’s foundation burst wide open. Facilities are falling apart, oversight is non-existent, and then in a moment that's both unforgettable and disgusting — shit finally hits the fan.

References: 
The Epic Family Feud Behind an Iconic American Weight-Loss Camp for Kids
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Eating Disorders

Camp Shane—one of America’s longest running weight loss camps for kids—promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution.

But there were some dark truths behind  Camp Shane’s facade of happy, transformed children. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. More than 50 years after its founding, host Kelsey Snelling is bringing the real story of Camp Shane to light.

In this eight-episode series, she unpacks and investigates stories of mistreatment and reexamines the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. Along the way, she reveals and weighs the heavy price of shame.

Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram @CampShame

By the mid 2010s, things at Camp Shane are going downhill: campers are arriving with serious mental health needs, counselors are stretched thin, and untrained &ldquo;health experts&rdquo; are running the show. When a key staffer finally leaves, the cracks in the camp&rsquo;s foundation burst wide open. Facilities are falling apart, oversight is non-existent, and then in a moment that's both unforgettable and disgusting &mdash; shit finally hits the fan.
References:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://archive.ph/sVPb7#selection-3009.0-3009.72">The Epic Family Feud Behind an Iconic American Weight-Loss Camp for Kids</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-eating-disorders-4151114">Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Eating Disorders</a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Camp Shane&mdash;one of America&rsquo;s longest running weight loss camps for kids&mdash;promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution.
But there were some dark truths behind&nbsp; Camp Shane&rsquo;s facade of happy, transformed children. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. More than 50 years after its founding, host Kelsey Snelling is bringing the real story of Camp Shane to light.
In this eight-episode series, she unpacks and investigates stories of mistreatment and reexamines the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. Along the way, she reveals and weighs the heavy price of shame.
Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/campshame/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/campshame/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1748454860082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1js-ZNHe9aSuGuiLhV8SYX">@CampShame</a>

By the mid 2010s, things at Camp Shane are going downhill: campers are arriving with serious mental health needs, counselors are stretched thin, and untrained “health experts” are running the show. When a key staffer finally leaves, the cracks in the camp’s foundation burst wide open. Facilities are falling apart, oversight is non-existent, and then in a moment that's both unforgettable and disgusting — shit finally hits the fan.

When the Sh*t Hits the Fan 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fa08c6e8-519b-4fa8-be15-b30700e4f24c/transcript

**Audio Updated 7/17/25

What do you get when you mix disordered eating, soap-laced Jell-O, and a diet camp stuck in the past? A summer from hell. In this episode, Kelsey returns to 2011, her first and only summer at Camp Shane — where the dysfunction runs deep and the cost is more than anyone bargained for.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation, you can call 988 for free and confidential support, prevention, and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. 988lifeline.org

References: 
The biggest (and weirdest) wellness trends we all witnessed in the 2010s
The history of the ‘ideal’ woman and where that has left us
What is Laxative Abuse?
Rethinking Anorexia Treatment Requires Clinician Collaboration, End-of-Life Care Options
Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating by Christy Harrison
National Eating Disorders Association

Camp Shane—one of America’s longest running weight loss camps for kids—promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution.

But there were some dark truths behind  Camp Shane’s facade of happy, transformed children. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. More than 50 years after its founding, host Kelsey Snelling is bringing the real story of Camp Shane to light.

In this eight-episode series, she unpacks and investigates stories of mistreatment and reexamines the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. Along the way, she reveals and weighs the heavy price of shame.

Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram @CampShame

**Audio Updated 7/17/25
What do you get when you mix disordered eating, soap-laced Jell-O, and a diet camp stuck in the past? A summer from hell. In this episode, Kelsey returns to 2011, her first and only summer at Camp Shane &mdash; where the dysfunction runs deep and the cost is more than anyone bargained for.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation, you can call 988 for free and confidential support, prevention, and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. <a href="https://988lifeline.org/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=onebox">988lifeline.org</a>
References:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.vogue.in/wellness/content/top-diet-wellness-fitness-trends-of-2010-crystals-detox-diets-juice-cleanse#:~:text=Everyone%20can%20name%20a%20fad,mental%20capacity%20and%20improved%20concentration.">The biggest (and weirdest) wellness trends we all witnessed in the 2010s</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/07/health/body-image-history-of-beauty-explainer-intl/index.html">The history of the &lsquo;ideal&rsquo; woman and where that has left us</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.rosewoodranch.com/laxative-abuse-treatment/#:~:text=Laxatives%20may%20be%20used%20by,around%2010%20years%20on%20average.">What is Laxative Abuse?</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://bhbusiness.com/2024/06/28/rethinking-anorexia-treatment-requires-clinician-collaboration-end-of-life-care-options/#:~:text=Research%20shows%20that%20more%20than,existence%20of%20%E2%80%9Cterminal%20anorexia.%E2%80%9D">Rethinking Anorexia Treatment Requires Clinician Collaboration, End-of-Life Care Options</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://christyharrison.com/book-anti-diet-intuitive-eating-christy-harrison">Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating by Christy Harrison</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/resource-center/">National Eating Disorders Association</a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Camp Shane&mdash;one of America&rsquo;s longest running weight loss camps for kids&mdash;promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution.
But there were some dark truths behind&nbsp; Camp Shane&rsquo;s facade of happy, transformed children. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. More than 50 years after its founding, host Kelsey Snelling is bringing the real story of Camp Shane to light.
In this eight-episode series, she unpacks and investigates stories of mistreatment and reexamines the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. Along the way, she reveals and weighs the heavy price of shame.
Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/campshame/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/campshame/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1748454860082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1js-ZNHe9aSuGuiLhV8SYX">@CampShame</a>

**Audio Updated 7/17/25  What do you get when you mix disordered eating, soap-laced Jell-O, and a diet camp stuck in the past? A summer from hell. In this episode, Kelsey returns to 2011, her first and only summer at Camp Shane — where the dysfunction runs deep and the cost is more than anyone bargained for. 

Live, Laugh, Lose

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d2ad7fb8-81ae-40b5-b8b8-b2f701323997/transcript

The new millennium brings new trends, new technologies and new ways to spread toxic beauty standards. And Camp Shane is reaping the benefits. The camp grows to new heights and capitalizes on positive press, but a record number of campers puts serious strain on the staff and facilities. Can the camp handle the influx?

References: 
The Epic Family Feud Behind an Iconic American Weight-Loss Camp for Kids
Teenage Waistland by Abby Ellin
NOVA - The Truth About Fat
Fearing the Black Body The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia by Sabrina Strings
Belly of the Beast : The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness by Da’Shaun L. Harrison
Owner of weight-loss camp admits to evading taxes

Camp Shane—one of America’s longest running weight loss camps for kids—promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution.

But there were some dark truths behind  Camp Shane’s facade of happy, transformed children. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. More than 50 years after its founding, host Kelsey Snelling is bringing the real story of Camp Shane to light.

In this eight-episode series, she unpacks and investigates stories of mistreatment and reexamines the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. Along the way, she reveals and weighs the heavy price of shame.

Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram @CampShame

The new millennium brings new trends, new technologies and new ways to spread toxic beauty standards. And Camp Shane is reaping the benefits. The camp grows to new heights and capitalizes on positive press, but a record number of campers puts serious strain on the staff and facilities. Can the camp handle the influx?
References:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://archive.ph/sVPb7#selection-3009.0-3009.72">The Epic Family Feud Behind an Iconic American Weight-Loss Camp for Kids</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.abbyellin.com/teenage-waistland">Teenage Waistland by Abby Ellin</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.pbs.org/video/the-truth-about-fat-xnqm4i/">NOVA - The Truth About Fat</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://nyupress.org/9781479886753/fearing-the-black-body/">Fearing the Black Body The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia by Sabrina Strings</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://dashaunharrison.com/shop/belly-of-the-beast/">Belly of the Beast : The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness by Da&rsquo;Shaun L. Harrison</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.recordonline.com/story/news/2004/09/24/owner-weight-loss-camp-admits/51135545007/">Owner of weight-loss camp admits to evading taxes</a></li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
<hr>
Camp Shane&mdash;one of America&rsquo;s longest running weight loss camps for kids&mdash;promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution.
But there were some dark truths behind&nbsp; Camp Shane&rsquo;s facade of happy, transformed children. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. More than 50 years after its founding, host Kelsey Snelling is bringing the real story of Camp Shane to light.
In this eight-episode series, she unpacks and investigates stories of mistreatment and reexamines the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. Along the way, she reveals and weighs the heavy price of shame.
Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/campshame/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/campshame/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1748454860082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1js-ZNHe9aSuGuiLhV8SYX">@CampShame</a>

The new millennium brings new trends, new technologies and new ways to spread toxic beauty standards. And Camp Shane is reaping the benefits. The camp grows to new heights and capitalizes on positive press, but a record number of campers puts serious strain on the staff and facilities. Can the camp handle the influx?

As Big as it Gets

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d59a4bef-0533-4f18-b27a-b2f200e97c5a/transcript

Camp Shane is under new leadership: Selma’s son, David Ettenberg. In the 1990s, David’s reign brings with it more campers, more money, and even a Disney movie inspired by the camp itself. But as diet culture and fat phobia grip the decade, life at Shane gets stricter, stranger, and more dangerous. Selma struggles to hand over control, a disastrous Heavyweights screening becomes legend, and cracks in the camp’s foundation begin to show. 

References: 
The Epic Family Feud Behind an Iconic American Weight-Loss Camp for Kids
The term ‘heroin chic’ needs to die – even if skinny-worship rages on
An Epidemic of Beauty Sickness by Renee Engeln at TEDxUConn 2013 (Full Transcript)
Is BMI Accurate? New Evidence Says No
U.S. Weight Loss Market Size/Share Worth USD 305.30 Billion by 2030 at a 9.7% CAGR: Custom Market Insights (Analysis, Outlook, Leaders, Report, Trends, Forecast, Segmentation, Growth, Growth Rate, Value)
That diet probably won’t work long-term — here’s what to focus on instead

Camp Shane—one of America’s longest running weight loss camps for kids—promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution.

But there were some dark truths behind  Camp Shane’s facade of happy, transformed children. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. More than 50 years after its founding, host Kelsey Snelling is bringing the real story of Camp Shane to light.

In this eight-episode series, she unpacks and investigates stories of mistreatment and reexamines the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. Along the way, she reveals and weighs the heavy price of shame.

Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram @CampShame

Camp Shane is under new leadership: Selma&rsquo;s son, David Ettenberg. In the 1990s, David&rsquo;s reign brings with it more campers, more money, and even a Disney movie inspired by the camp itself. But as diet culture and fat phobia grip the decade, life at Shane gets stricter, stranger, and more dangerous. Selma struggles to hand over control, a disastrous Heavyweights screening becomes legend, and cracks in the camp&rsquo;s foundation begin to show.&nbsp;
References:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://archive.ph/sVPb7#selection-3009.0-3009.72">The Epic Family Feud Behind an Iconic American Weight-Loss Camp for Kids</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2022/nov/20/heroin-chic-fashion-skinny-worship">The term &lsquo;heroin chic&rsquo; needs to die &ndash; even if skinny-worship rages on</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://singjupost.com/an-epidemic-of-beauty-sickness-by-renee-engeln-at-tedxuconn-2013-full-transcript/?singlepage=1">An Epidemic of Beauty Sickness by Renee Engeln at TEDxUConn 2013 (Full Transcript)</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/publications/health-matters/is-bmi-accurate#:~:text=It%20wasn%27t%20even%20created,population%20census%20in%20the%20Netherlands">Is BMI Accurate? New Evidence Says No</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/latest-u-weight-loss-market-170000586.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHU0zymv5kjvPemDJDvExXgXeZ1nESlGk_aOfFSwRg9tMk7WAyoyc3sXMYhjoE0EcYalohX_KFLK-XyYj2pp2iM3Z27qw_BMuBb_gYOruslF1eY70QeotW85x7yOOC4jz60AohaQL_HKZFTmmi9UXAdhGVSc6_LnDtNTbBrusqqz&amp;_guc_consent_skip=1751381004">U.S. Weight Loss Market Size/Share Worth USD 305.30 Billion by 2030 at a 9.7% CAGR: Custom Market Insights (Analysis, Outlook, Leaders, Report, Trends, Forecast, Segmentation, Growth, Growth Rate, Value)</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://health.osu.edu/wellness/exercise-and-nutrition/that-diet-probably-did-not-work#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20latest%20weight,they%20lost%20within%20two%20years">That diet probably won&rsquo;t work long-term &mdash; here&rsquo;s what to focus on instead</a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Camp Shane&mdash;one of America&rsquo;s longest running weight loss camps for kids&mdash;promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution.
But there were some dark truths behind&nbsp; Camp Shane&rsquo;s facade of happy, transformed children. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. More than 50 years after its founding, host Kelsey Snelling is bringing the real story of Camp Shane to light.
In this eight-episode series, she unpacks and investigates stories of mistreatment and reexamines the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. Along the way, she reveals and weighs the heavy price of shame.
Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/campshame/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/campshame/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1748454860082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1js-ZNHe9aSuGuiLhV8SYX">@CampShame</a>

Camp Shane is under new leadership: Selma’s son, David Ettenberg. In the 1990s, David’s reign brought with it more campers, more money, and even a Disney movie inspired by the camp itself. But as diet culture and fat phobia grip the decade, life at Shane gets stricter, stranger, and more dangerous. Selma struggles to hand over control, a disastrous Heavyweights screening becomes legend, and cracks in the camp’s foundation begin to show. 

The Real Heavyweights

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c99ce3a2-e81b-4d52-a0d4-b2ec013038fb/transcript

To understand Camp Shane, we first need to examine the society that created it. America’s obsession with size had evolved over time, creating a demand for a weight loss camp like Shane to exist by making fatness a problem that needed to be solved. Campers are under fed and over worked, but kids find refuge at Camp Shane. Leading the charge is Camp Shane’s eccentric yet stringent founder, Selma Ettenberg. 

References: 
Taste's nutritionist rates the worst fad diets from the 70s and
 Weight Loss Program Camp Shane’s Epic Succession Drama 
The state-sanctioned bullying of fat kids
That Shape He Can't Forget: The Bittersweet History of Diet Soda for Women
How the 'ideal' female body has changed over time
The Return of Rainbow Diet Pills
Teenage Waistland by Abby Ellin
99% Invisible - On Average 

Camp Shane—one of America’s longest running weight loss camps for kids—promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution.

But there were some dark truths behind  Camp Shane’s facade of happy, transformed children. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. More than 50 years after its founding, host Kelsey Snelling is bringing the real story of Camp Shane to light.

In this eight-episode series, she unpacks and investigates stories of mistreatment and reexamines the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. Along the way, she reveals and weighs the heavy price of shame.

Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram @CampShame

To understand Camp Shane, we first need to examine the society that created it. America&rsquo;s obsession with size had evolved over time, creating a demand for a weight loss camp like Shane to exist by making fatness a problem that needed to be solved. Campers are under fed and over worked, but kids find refuge at Camp Shane. Leading the charge is Camp Shane&rsquo;s eccentric yet stringent founder, Selma Ettenberg.&nbsp;
References:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.taste.com.au/food-news/our-nutritionist-rates-worst-fad-diets-70s-80s/5a2qkc5y">Taste's nutritionist rates the worst fad diets from the 70s and</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.taste.com.au/food-news/our-nutritionist-rates-worst-fad-diets-70s-80s/5a2qkc5y"> Weight Loss Program Camp Shane&rsquo;s Epic Succession Drama&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.spiked-online.com/2008/07/30/the-state-sanctioned-bullying-of-fat-kids/">The state-sanctioned bullying of fat kids</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.jezebel.com/that-shape-he-cant-forget-the-bittersweet-history-of-d-1845618613">That Shape He Can't Forget: The Bittersweet History of Diet Soda for Women</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.aru.ac.uk/news/how-the-ideal-female-body-has-changed-over-time">How the 'ideal' female body has changed over time</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3482033/">The Return of Rainbow Diet Pills</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.abbyellin.com/teenage-waistland">Teenage Waistland by Abby Ellin</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/on-average/">99% Invisible - On Average </a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Camp Shane&mdash;one of America&rsquo;s longest running weight loss camps for kids&mdash;promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution.
But there were some dark truths behind&nbsp; Camp Shane&rsquo;s facade of happy, transformed children. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. More than 50 years after its founding, host Kelsey Snelling is bringing the real story of Camp Shane to light.
In this eight-episode series, she unpacks and investigates stories of mistreatment and reexamines the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. Along the way, she reveals and weighs the heavy price of shame.
Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/campshame/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/campshame/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1748454860082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1js-ZNHe9aSuGuiLhV8SYX">@CampShame</a>

To understand Camp Shane, we first need to examine the society that created it. America’s obsession with size has evolved over time, creating a demand for a weight loss camp like Shane to exist by making fatness a problem that needed to be solved. Campers are under fed and over worked, but kids find refuge at Camp Shane. Leading the charge was Camp Shane’s eccentric yet stringent founder, Selma Ettenberg. 

A Fat Girl's Vision

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e9e0cfb1-be0f-4700-87e4-b2ec012d9489/transcript

Conversion therapy, often imagined as a bygone practice of bunk science, is alive and well– especially in the niches where religious institutions and close-knit communities have enabled it to continue flourishing. This season, we trace the rise, fall, and shifting identity of conversion therapy in a state uniquely positioned in the crosshairs of this practice: Utah.

Hosted by activist, legal scholar, feminist, and queer ex-Mormon Kate Kelly, Season 2 of Camp Shame tells the stories of Mormons who’ve undergone conversion therapy, the cultural climate that helped conversion programs survive, and why this shame-fueled ill continues to thrive.

Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram @CampShame

Conversion therapy, often imagined as a bygone practice of bunk science, is alive and well&ndash; especially in the niches where religious institutions and close-knit communities have enabled it to continue flourishing. This season, we trace the rise, fall, and shifting identity of conversion therapy in a state uniquely positioned in the crosshairs of this practice: Utah. Hosted by activist, legal scholar, feminist, and queer ex-Mormon Kate Kelly, Season 2 of Camp Shame tells the stories of Mormons who&rsquo;ve undergone conversion therapy, the cultural climate that helped conversion programs survive, and why this shame-fueled ill continues to thrive.
Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/campshame/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/campshame/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1748454860082000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1js-ZNHe9aSuGuiLhV8SYX">@CampShame</a>

Camp Shame

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