Camp Shame

iHeart True Crime
Camp Shame

Summer Exclusive: Extended 30-Day Free Trial

$7.49/mo or $74.99/yr after trial

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

  1. EPISODE 1

    Welcome to Camp Shane

    Welcome to Camp Shane — one of the first weight loss camps for kids. In its 50+ years of operation, Shane was a haven for children who felt discarded by the real world. Kids who were bullied, excluded, and ostracized became confident and embodied. Campers gained friends, made romantic connections, and discovered a sense of identity. Celebrity endorsements and media coverage assured parents that Camp Shane was life-changing, but inside its gates, things were far from perfect. 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    A Fat Girl's Vision

    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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    48 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    The Real Heavyweights

    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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    42 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    As Big as it Gets

    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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    47 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Live, Laugh, Lose

    **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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    When the Sh*t Hits the Fan

    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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    36 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    Nobody Believes the Fat Kid

    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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    43 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    Losing Isn't Everything

    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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    50 min
See All Season 1 (8)

Trailer

Shows with Subscription Benefits

Summer Exclusive: Extended 30-Day Free Trial

$7.49/mo or $74.99/yr after trial

View Subscription FAQs

About

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

Information

  • Channel
    iHeart True Crime
  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Episodes
    9
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    2025 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Camp Shame
  • Provider
    iHeartMedia + Entertainment, Inc

More From iHeart True Crime

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign-in or sign-up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada