CONTEST ESSAY DESCRIPTION

Ten Full Scholarships to Camp Shane!

INTRO

If you're an overweight kid and teen, the future sometimes looks like a bleak place. Left out of games, overlooked for sports teams, never the one invited to prom-even sometimes mocked by your classmates, being heavy often means being lonely and defeated.

But it doesn't have to be like that...not when there's an opportunity to have a healthier, happier future thanks to Camp Shane.

To help address the national epidemic of childhood obesity, the owners of Camp Shane, the longest-running children and teens' weight-loss camp in the country, have announced the first annual Biggest Winner Contest.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

Overweight kids and teens, ages 10-17, are invited to join the contest. The prize is a free three-week stay from August 1 to August 20 at Camp Shane in the beautiful Catskill Mountains near Liberty, New York, worth $3600 each. Ten prizes will be awarded. Campers who have previously attended or are currently registered to attend Camp Shane are not eligible for this prize.

HOW TO ENTER

Interested applicants may enter the contest by a submission in one of these forms:

• An original essay of no more than 800 words (typed and double-spaced) with the title of the contest "Biggest Winner Contest" written at the top of the essay and written on the outside of the envelope, sent by US Mail-accompanied by a 4x6 vertical full-body photo (labeled on back with name) of the contestant.
• An original essay of no more than 800 words, submitted by email with "Biggest Winner Contest" in the subject line, and a full body photo saved in jpeg format and sent as an attachment. Send your email submission to office@campshane.com.
• A video sent as an attachment to an email or an email containing a link to a video with "Biggest Winner Contest" in the subject line. The video is not to exceed three minutes in length and should be sent to office@campshane.com.
• All entries must have the child/teen's name, age and contact info, and include the name, full mailing address, and phone numbers, for a parent or legal guardian.

In the essay or video, the child/teen must explain why they want to lose weight and get fit, and what they plan to do with the healthier future that a summer stay at Camp Shane can help them achieve.

HOW ARE THE WINNERS CHOSEN?

A panel of nutritional and fitness experts and some of the staff at Camp Shane will judge the essays and videos and choose the winner based on financial need, clarity, creativity, and the compelling tale they tell.

Essays should be mailed to:

Camp Shane
134 Teatown Road
Croton-On-Hudson, NY 10520

Videos (sent as an attachment) or video links (with the contest name in the Subject Line) should be sent to office@campshane.com.

All entries must be received by June 1st, 2011.

"Growing up can be tough enough without the added burden of being overweight and unhealthy," says David Ettenberg, Co-Owner/Founder of Camp Shane. "We are delighted to offer this chance to children who truly want to lose weight, get healthy, and face their future with pride by being the best they can be. Our counselors, fitness gurus, and nutrition experts will give them the tools they need to change their lives. The children themselves will supply the drive."

Ettenberg continues by saying, "Camp Shane is not a 'fat camp,' where a drill sergeant type person yells in your face to do tortuous exercise. We are one of a 'kindness' place where kids and teens learn how to eat, exercise through enjoyable activities and get into the best shapes of their lives, while having more fun than they've ever had. Weight loss is just one of the things that happen while they are here. Aerobics, Zumba, jet skiing, zip lining, dance classes, swimming, games, team sports (with a place for everyone), nutrition and cooking classes. These are some of the activities at Camp Shane, but making lifelong friends and gaining the confidence that comes with taking charge of their own bodies is the true reward for spending time here."

"Camp Shane was the best summer I have had," says Jacob, a previous camper. "Even though I was only there for 3 weeks out of the summer, I learned a lot. Everyone at camp was so nice and accepted everyone. I also gained self confidence, and self respect for myself."

For official contest rules, click HERE.