The COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges. It brought changes in how families interact, how businesses operate, how students attended classes, and how basic needs were obtained.  The global pandemic did not change what we do at the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. It only challenged us to find new ways to reach our clientele.  The Hickman County Extension Staff wanted a way to continue the high-quality educational programs to continue through the worldwide pandemic. With 71% of Children in low-income families (below 200% of the federal poverty level), according to Kentucky Kids Count data, Hickman County Extension took this as an opportunity to create a new avenue of programming to reach this audience.  

The Family & Consumer Science Agent, Nutrition Education Program Assistant, 4-H Youth Development Agent, and Agricultural Agent partnered to provide Extension Day Camp in a Box and Extension Explorers Day Camp in a Box. This prepackaged program for home use included age-appropriate youth SNAP recipes that could be made independently with little adult supervision. Activities include herb & vegetable gardening kit, physical activity challenges and games, gardening publications, The Dinner Table project, and parenting publications. Teaching others where their food comes from, how to grow, and then preparing enables them to access healthier foods. Forty-seven boxes were delivered or picked up by families in Hickman and Carlisle Counties.

Twenty-two responses were received from program evaluations. Parents responded that children learned new skills, including growing vegetables,  making healthier lifestyle choices, spending more quality family time together, and lessening screen time. Overall their summer experience was enhanced due to the Summer Camp in a Box.  Parents stated that “Learning how to grow vegetables and using recipes to prepare them has taught the children you do not have to go to the store to buy them.” This life skill will enable the family to save money and valuable resources over time.