Food Education & Cooking at Our Arts Summer Camps

I am a person who likes to eat in general, but being at Ballibay this summer helped me to see food in a different light. I always knew that food could be healthy and taste great as well, but I didn't know you could do that everyday three times a day consistently!

John Henry Sheridan, senior guitar instructor and co-creator of The Hummus Song (below) - Brooklyn, NY.

 

I'm glad I got to go for two years, which has helped me a lot in acting and has just been an outstanding experience all together! ... One more thing I love about Ballibay... it lets people try new healthier food and even have fun doing it, like deciding to try Hummus for the first time after watching the Hummus music video!

Cullen, 2nd year camper - Leesburg, VA.

 

 

At least once per session the children from each cabin sleep overnight at our campsite and cook a dinner and breakfast together. Chefs Ellen and Alison consult with the campers and staff of each cabin on what foods to cook and the best techniques for a safe and delicious campfire.

 

Our snack table is set up in the camp dining hall between meals, and is a great opportunity for campers to meet and talk with the camp chefs, and even volunteer in aspects of the camp's food preparation. Members of the camp community can do some informal food learning between meals as they talk with friends. There will often be simple jobs campers and staff can help with, such as making cookies or snapping beans.

 

Campers wishing to be more involved in the food can sign up for the educational kitchen coop, where each activity period a small group of campers learns hands-on food preparation and participates in the creation of the camp's meal.

 

As local food maven Alice Waters notes, children try a more diverse range of foods when they are active in all stages of the cooking process. From volunteering in the garden, talking to our chefs and helping the preparation, our campers expand their palates and learn what it means to have a healthy diet.