COVID-19 has affected virtually all aspects of everyday life. Although the full effects of the global pandemic have yet to be realized, one thing we know for sure is that children and adolescents will be affected in ways that will mark the course of their life-long development (Bartlett & Virette, 2020). Young people are dealing with changes to family life that could include parental job loss, isolation, financial strain and uncertainty, familial stress responses, and increased family substance abuse (Bartlett, Giffin, & Thomson, 2020). Moreover, many older adolescents were not able to experience important rites of passage such as high school graduation that signify an important transition to a new phase of life. Others are facing academic uncertainties, as well as evaporating employment opportunities, leaving them vulnerable at a key transition point in their lives.

Research has revealed the incredible resiliency young people often possess, especially when provided adequate support. But the enormity of the COVID-19 crisis presents the biggest test to date of their resilience, especially for those who were already disadvantaged before the pandemic began. The cumulative effect of the distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to create a negative cascading developmental impact on youth (Roehlkepartain & Blyth, 2020).

Due to Covid-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020 most all in-person events and/or activities were canceled because of health concerns.  4-H Camp was no exception to those closings.  Boyd County youth were left with very limited if any activities.  The Boyd County 4-H Agent, program assistants, teen council members and adult council members collaborated to offer our first ever Boyd County 4-H Virtual Cooking Camp.  

Boyd County 4-H youth had the opportunity to join an online Virtual Cooking Camp this August.  The Virtual Camp was promoted through our county Facebook page and participants called to register for the program.  

Fifteen youth throughout the county participated in the virtual camp.  Youth picked up all program supplies on Monday, August 3.  Program supplies included recipes, ingredients for recipes, informational packet, and SNAP Ed kitchen supplies.  

Cooking camp was hosted in a virtual setting, via a private Facebook Group Page.  Previous Teen Council members volunteered to record videos for each recipe and technique taught.  Using pre-recorded videos versus a live setting allowed participants to engage and participate in the camp on their own schedule.  

During the cooking camp, youth learned a variety of life skills that will help them in the future.  Students learned kitchen safety skills, including stovetop and knife safety.   Youth also learned about the importance of good hygiene and not cross contaminating surfaces with a hands-on germ lesson.  

After the camp, participants were able to prepare three recipes, utilizing a variety of cooking techniques.  The skills gained during this camp will serve them throughout their lifetimes.