The 2000 data from Kentucky Kids Count states children living in food insecure households showed the State of Kentucky’s rate for this is 16.1% compared to Spencer County’s rate of 8.4%. Spencer County has limited access to fresh food resources and public transportation. There is only one grocery store and several dollar stores in the area. Issues such as these are barriers to healthy lifestyle choices related to nutrition and physical activity. 

During the summer when schools are closed, as a strategy to improve healthy nutrition and physical activity with underserved children in Spencer County, the Spencer County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with assistance from the 4-H and ANR Agents implemented Super Star Chef day camp. The Spencer County Extension Service sent Super Star Chef flyers to families in the Spencer County Schools Backpack Buddy program to encourage children to enroll in camp with the assistance of the Family Resource Center. The 4-H Agent also advertised the program on the office Facebook page to help recruit members to participate in the camp. It was a free three-day program with no previous cooking skills required. The 4-H Agent also recruited volunteers to assist with the camp. The Program Assistant and Summer Intern were instrumental to the success of this day camp.

During the camp, youths aged 9 to 12 gained firsthand cooking experience. Participants were introduced to new foods and recipes as they prepared healthy dishes like Fiesta Salsa, Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits, Easy Whole-Wheat Pizza, and Carrot Muffins.

The 4-H Agent took care of registration daily by welcoming and interacting with the families and participants. On the first afternoon, the 4-H and ANR Agents along with one Master Gardener Volunteer led Windowsill Gardens with all of the participants. They learned how to plant their own vegetables and took home their gardens to continue to the growing process.  On the last day of the camp, there was a graduation celebration and the 4-H Agent took pictures and posted a few highlights on the Spencer County Extension Office Facebook Page.

Some participants just wanted to learn how to make an afterschool snack, while others dream of having their own cooking show. Every participant was encouraged to sample all the recipes they prepared and to continue using their new cooking skills at home. Each camper had opportunities to try fresh fruits and vegetables and participate in the cooking process. Through this program, participants worked on improving healthy lifestyle choices. Twenty children participated in this program. As a result, 99 % of youth reported they learned how to read a recipe, 95% of youth learned how to read a nutrition label, 100% of youth are able to use simple microwave cooking techniques in their home, 96 % of youth reported learning food safety techniques, and 98% youth reported being able to properly and safely use a plastic knife. Regarding physical activity, 100% of youth said they exercise at least one hour a day. In addition to individual behavior change, 100% of youth reported having new opportunities to try nutritious foods, and 100% of youth their families wanted to try recipes learned from Super Star Chef at home. After the program, the youth participants shared with staff that they had fun, made new friends, and signed up for other extension programs. Some youth expressed interest in entering a 4-H project into the Spencer County Fair. Parents discussed with the agents and staff how excited they were that their children learned kitchen and nutrition life skills and assisted in preparing healthy meals at home.