Whitney Young Elementary School is the first Primary Years Program authorized international Baccalaureate World School of Kentucky.  Ms. Nicole Clark, Family Resource Center Coordinator, wanted to present something new to her students that would be fun while learning.  She reached out to 4-H agent Patrice Thompson and Friday Club Day was born.  Each Friday Patrice Thompson, Jenie Carter, FCS agent, Turquoise Patterson and I, EFNEP Assistant , traveled to Whitney Young Elementary School to conduct the different clubs.

My club, The Cooking Club, consisted of 15 youth in grades 3 to 5, who were taught nutrition facts, food safety, proper hand washing techniques, knife safety, cutting and chopping skills as well as proper ways to measure wet and dry food and how to use a blender safely.

Upon completion of the classes 100% of the youth in grades 3 to 5 improved in one or more core areas.  87% of the youth improved 1 or more skills/knowledge necessary to choose foods consistent with Federal Dietary Guidelines recommendations.  60% improved 2 or more skills/knowledge necessary to choose foods consistent with Federal Dietary recommendations.  47% improved 1 or more skills/knowledge to  handle food safely.  40% improved in response to Eat fruit as a snack and 27% improved in response to physical activity frequency.

Despite the fact that club activities were new to this school and staff, it was a positive experience for all.  The youth learned and we learned and we had fun doing it.