Author: Bridgett Poteet
Planning Unit: Edmonson County CES
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Plan of Work: 4-H Youth Development
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
According to 2017 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, the obesity rate for children ages 9 to 12 in Kentucky was 20.2%. To help our community develop better educated youth in making healthy choices, KSU 4-H agent Bridgett Poteet presented the NEP Super Star Chef Camp on July 26-28. In attendance were 9 youths ages 9 through 12. The Super Star Chef camp introduces youths to new recipes and ways to prepare fruits and vegetables. “When students have the opportunity to try fresh fruits and vegetables in new ways and participate in the cooking process, they are more likely to try it and enjoy healthy foods,” said Marisa Aull, director of the Kentucky Nutrition Education Program. Participants learn to prepare a variety of recipes, like Fiesta Salsa, Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits, Easy Whole-Wheat Pizza and Carrot Muffins. They are encouraged to sample all the recipes they prepare and continue using their new cooking skills at home. Youth were also educated in the Rethink your drink curriculum. The camp is designed to teach kitchen safety, food safety, food preparation skills, nutrition concepts, and physical activity. Pre-and Post-Evaluations were given, where all 9 students had positive changes in all 9 surveyed skill and knowledge areas. After the first day of camp, youth were already trying vegetables they would never try before and enjoying them. One youth went home and recreated two of the recipes for dinner that night to share with their family. The feedback from parents, youth, and the community shared through social media has been 100% positive. Campers were already asking when the next camp was and if we would be offering cooking camps or classes regularly.
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