University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension offices are usually busy places in the summer, buzzing with young people learning lots of life skills in day camps that cover cooking, gardening, sewing and a plethora of other activities. The COVID-19 pandemic has quashed all that, but extension educators believe if there’s a will, there’s a way. 

In a three county effort, the idea for a Day Camp in a Bag was implemented. In Carroll County the FCS Agent, 4-H Agent and the regional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education assistant helped with the program. 

In the three county area, the program ended up serving 56 families with more than 150 young people. Carroll County reached 19 families (9 of which were Hispanic) totaling 36 children.

Once a week for 5 weeks, families picked up a bag of cooking camp supplies at the extension office. The bag contained ingredients, a recipe and handouts about nutrition and other information participants might benefit in knowing. Handouts included kitchen skills and safety, how to crack eggs, information about peaches and honey, and handwashing skills, since that’s especially important now with Covid 19.

Parents also received information on raising their own Victory Garden. Each family was given basil, oregano, and mint plants to start their garden. They also received informational handouts on cooking with herbs and how to dry herbs to use for next year. Two of the families requested more information on gardening.

One of the benefits to the at-home program was the opportunity for parents, grandparents and children to bond over cooking. Recipes included Easy Peach Cobbler, Farmers Market Salsa, Spaghetti with Olive Oil, Bean Enchiladas, and Honey Raisin Muffins. Recipes were chosen form Plate It Up Recipes, SNAP Calendar, Farmers Market Recipes, and the ENEP program.

Participants sent in pictures of them preparing the recipe at home.

“We’ve had some good pictures come in of the parents talking to the kids and showing them how to do something. The intergenerational activity is working out great,” she said.