The McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service, Senior Nutrition Education Program Assistant, the Horticulture Agent, and their assistant, organized Youth Garden Adventure Summer Camps throughout the county. A total of 104 youth attended the camps, which catered to children in grades K-2 and 3-5. The camps used the Serving Up MyPlate “Yummy Curriculum” to teach children about healthy eating habits, the importance of physical activity, and gardening.

The camps were designed to be both educational and hands-on, incorporating gardening activities with nutritional education to engage the children in learning about food, health, and the environment. The results showed significant improvements in knowledge and behavior across both age groups.

K-2nd Grade Improvements:

• 22% increase in the number of children who understood the importance of being active.
• 30% improvement in recognizing healthy snack options.
• 38% of participants demonstrated better knowledge of vegetables and their benefits.
• 41% improvement in recognizing fruits as part of a healthy diet.
• 68% of children were better able to identify dairy foods.
• 73% improved their hand-washing habits before eating, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness.

3rd-5th Grade Improvements:

Older children in grades 3-5 showed equally impressive gains:

• 60% of participants reduced their consumption of fruit-flavored and sports drinks.
• 72% drank fewer sodas, choosing healthier beverage options.
• 64% of children ate more vegetables at lunch, and 77% included vegetables in their snacks.
• 53% increased their frequency of hand washing and 56% washed fruits and vegetables before eating.
• 53% of children engaged in more frequent and longer physical activities.
• 71% reduced their screen time at home, replacing sedentary activities with more active ones.

The Youth Garden Adventure Summer Camps successfully combined gardening, nutrition, and physical activity education to create a holistic learning environment. By integrating the Serving Up MyPlate “Yummy Curriculum”, the children not only learned about healthy food choices but also put their knowledge into practice by growing their own fruits and vegetables in the garden. This hands-on approach helped them better understand the connection between gardening, food, and health.

 The program’s success was evident in the behavioral changes among the youth participants, who now demonstrated healthier habits in both their diet and daily routines. By reducing screen time, increasing physical activity, and making better food choices, these children have set the foundation for long-term health and wellness.

This partnership between the McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service and local schools provided valuable education and support, ensuring that the youth of McCracken County are equipped with the knowledge and habits to lead healthier, more active lives.