Cooking activities at camp

The camp that I direct, Maine Arts Camp, is quite different than traditional camps. We have no team sports, Color War, intercamp competition and more. In creating programs that of our interest to our campers, we try to think out of the box. Our campers love to cook! If you are looking for some new and exciting offerings for your campers, adding a cooking activity, with the right staff running it, will create a buzz among the campers. Although our cooking program is extensive and we're looking to expand it this year by hiring two full time culinary arts instructors, any camp can start out small. Some of your counselor staff may already have some experience in the kitchen. Check out some of our recipes from summer 2008. The baking recipes may be some of the easier ones to use. There is even a Food Network that is solely dedicated to cooking. Try contacting colleges that offer an AA degree in culinary arts. The college students could work as a bunk counselor and teach cooking. Remember, save a dessert for me, preferably something chocolate!

Rick Mades
owner of Camp Finders and MySummers
owner/director of Maine Arts Camp

Healthy eating

I just read an interesting article from the Boston Globe. Colleges are starting to serve smaller portions and are adding vegetables to students' plates. Tapas, which are quite a buzz in restaurants these days, offer a good way for college students to try different fare while not taking too much food. Running a camp, we are quite aware of what type of food we serve our campers. Parents are looking for healthier foods for their children and our counselors often talk with campers about adding color to their plates (vegetables, fruits). It is a discreet way to address eating issues that many campers have (and staff!). We hope to integrate some of the strategies from the article at camp this summer. Check out the article at http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2009/10/18/colleges_shrink_portions_sneak_in_healthy_ingredients/?page=1

Rick Mades
owner of Camp Finders and MySummers
owner/director of Maine Arts Camp