It has been stated that a child is more likely to have a healthier lifestyle the more they are present and cooking the in kitchen. Teaching children basic skills such as cooking and baking is important because it is a skill that will be carried into their adult life. The Muhlenberg County Cooperative Extension Service recognized the importance of teaching young participants basic food preparation and presented a program called Let’s Bake.

The Let’s Bake Day Camp had 30 participants aged 9-13 was led by Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, the 4-H Youth Development Agent, the 4-H Program Assistant, and the SNAP-Ed Nutrition Education Program Assistant. The objectives for the Let’s Bake program were how to properly read a recipe, identify kitchen tools, measure ingredients, and basic food safety, and recognizing healthy snacks. The youth were taught how to properly and safely use the oven when baking, basic baking skills, and measuring dry and liquid ingredients, cutting fat into flour, and preparing a pan. Proper food safety techniques were also taught, such as handling raw eggs, hand washing, kitchen cleanliness, and checking the finished product for doneness.  The program was designed to teach basic baking skills and then let the participants experience hands on baking.

Youth were taught a My Plate lesson to show basic food groups and the importance of eating a balanced meal. And that sweet baked goods are sometimes foods and not everyday foods. 

The youth were evaluated before and after the Let’s Bake Day Camp, 100% of youth in grades 6-8 made an improvement in one or more core areas evaluated, and 75% of youth in grades 3-5 make an improvement in one more core areas on the evaluation. 57% of all participants increased their knowledge of measuring dry and wet ingredients. 40% of all participants increased their knowledge of reading and following a recipe.

The program was a success, the basic skills taught reinforces the goals of the day and helps participants to retain the skills learned.