Franklin County FCS partnered with the Kings Center, a faith-based, non-profit community center that serves youth from first grade to high school.  To promote proper nutrition, the Franklin Co. Agent, along with three community volunteers, offered two days of cooking to children ages 10-14. Encouraged by the youth, the Kings Center staff decided to join in assisting with food preparation.     

The first part of each day began with an educational component, followed by hands-on cooking experiences. The children were taught proper hand washing, the basics of MyPlate, measuring skills, knife skills, how to read recipes, tasted a variety of fruits and vegetables, and an introduction to baking. 

Children prepared smoothies, roasted vegetables, cooked chicken, made a salad incorporating fruit and vegetables, homemade pizzas, and baked cookies.  The camp ended with each child receiving a bag with kitchen incentives, all recipes, and Chop Chop magazine.  The following are comments shared from the participants:

"I was surprised that it tasted good and it was easy to make.  I'm not afraid to help cook at home anymore."

"It was fun. I thought that it would be boring, but it was fun."

"I didn't know cooking was that easy."

"I was really proud of myself to know that I can cook a whole meal."

The program was so successful that the FCS Agent is planning to continue a monthly cooking class to begin in the fall.