Small Town Girl Turned Celebrity: MTV's Chelsea Settles Helps Overweight Kids Gain Self-Esteem at Camp Pocono Trails This Summer

NORWOOD, N.J., April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Chelsea Settles, the overweight small-town girl who became a reality TV celebrity on MTV, will bring her personal experience, bubbly personality and keen fashion sense to New Image Camps at Pocono Trails this summer - June 13 through August 15. 

Chelsea, who was the star of MTV's "Chelsea Settles," will teach classes in grooming, poise and charm to 400 campers ages 7 to 19. She will live at the weight-loss camp in Reeders, Pennsylvania, and work with campers to develop confidence and build a positive self-image. Chelsea will also teach them how to dress for their shape.

She wants campers to understand that stepping outside of your comfort zone is part of the process. "In order to experience true growth, you have to be open-minded, become your own best friend, and take chances. Nothing changes if you are comfortable."

MTV chronicled Chelsea's journey from the industrial Western Pennsylvania enclave of Uniontown to Los Angeles, where the 23-year-old pursued a career in fashion. At 325 pounds, she struggled with low self-esteem.

Viewers watched Chelsea transform from a morbidly obese, self-conscious, 20-something to a slimmer (she lost 90 pounds), confident woman who gained the courage to ask her boss for a promotion.

In the finale of the show that aired from October to December, she runs a 5K and decides to remain in Los Angeles rather than move to Tennessee to be with her boyfriend.

"I think the viewers identified with my story because it was relatable," says Chelsea. "I am just the average small-town girl that took a chance, trusted my gut - lost some of my gut in the process - and found the courage to follow my dreams."

Camp Pocono Trails founder and director Tony Sparber is excited about the inspiration Chelsea will bring. Chelsea has lost a total of 116 pounds and is devoting her life to health and wellness.

"I am thrilled that Chelsea has agreed to work with New Image Camps at Pocono Trails this summer," he says. "These kids know her. They know her struggles. There is no better way to help these kids than to show them someone who has dealt with their same issues, has overcome them, and accomplished big things."

Chelsea Settles, the overweight small-town girl who became a reality TV celebrity on MTV, will bring her personal experience, bubbly personality and keen fashion sense to New Image Camps at Pocono Trails this summer: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/2012-MTV-Chelsea-Settles.jpg

Camp Pocono Trails in Reeders, Pennsylvania is situated on 350 private acres with a lake and separate swimming pools for boys and girls. The camp provides an environment where both losing weight and having fun are integral parts of the summer camp experience. Kids build self-esteem and life-long friendships: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/2012-Weight-Loss-Camp.jpg

About New Image Camps:

New Image Camp, an American Camp Association (ACA) accredited program, has two locations: Camp Pocono Trails in Reeders, Pennsylvania, and Camp Vanguard in Haines City, Florida. Camp Pocono Trails has been featured on two MTV Documentaries, "Fat Camp" and "Return to Fat Camp," as well as on Ruby, Good Morning America, Dr. Phil, The Today Show, and in the pages of People Magazine and The New York Times, among many others. For more information, please visit http://www.newimagecamp.com.

Press Contact: Renee Sall
Maximum Exposure PR
[email protected]
201.573.0300

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE New Image Camps