Grow, cook, explore & play at the Linus Pauling Institute's discovery camp at the Corvallis High School Spartan Garden!
Register for Chefs in the Garden summer day camp or call 541-737-8014.
Weekly Themes:
Week 1 (Aug. 6-10) – SECRETS OF THE SOIL!
Did you know that soil is living? Did you know there’s a difference between soil and dirt? Learn about the wonders of the world below ground, and explore projects and games related to one of our most precious natural resources.
Week 2 (Aug. 13-17) – GARDEN CREATURES!
Critters that fly, crawl, swim and wiggle are all part of a thriving garden. Find out who we need to help our garden grow, and whom we prefer to just let go! We will build habitats to encourage our "most wanted" creatures, take a closer look at some backyard beauties, and discover how our garden plants just wouldn’t be the same without our garden animals.
Week 3 (Aug. 20-24) – ADVENTUROUS ARTISTS!
Get your creative juices flowing! Although art projects are included in every week’s activities, Week 3 focuses on art in the garden. Learn how to paint with flowers, create dyes from veggies, watch nature become art with the help of the sun, and much more!
Week 4 (Aug. 27-31) – BACKYARD SCIENCE!
Water, soil, sunlight and air become the basics for scientific discovery in this exciting week in the garden! Find out how to make a pH meter using a special garden vegetable, design and set-up a weeklong scientific experiment, and take home a terrarium to enjoy!
Interested in learning more? Read on to learn why “Chefs in the Garden” summer camps were developed…
Despite important progress in medical and scientific research, pediatric overweight and obesity remains one of the most significant public health challenges our country has ever faced. Most experts agree that physical inactivity, overconsumption of calories, and lack of a healthy diet are the root causes of obesity, and that there is a widespread need to promote regular physical exercise and better eating habits among children. Many children have unhealthy eating habits and eat few or no fruits and vegetables on an average day. Many children don't know where their food comes from and what fresh fruit and vegetables taste like.
Why not offer a garden-based cooking and nutrition education program that is both healthy and entertaining for kids?! Chefs in the Garden discovery camps provide a safe, healthy and active environment where children learn how to grow their own food, learn fun ways to eat healthful foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, and learn how environmental stewardship is part of a healthy lifestyle.
Chefs in the Garden discovery camps are filled with gardening, cooking, environmental science, art, and exercise for third through fifth grade children. Campers will spend their day in the vegetable garden and learn basic gardening skills and how to cook simple, yet delicious and nutritious meals with the produce from the garden. They will cook all the meals in the garden and have a healthy feast for lunch in a shady area of the garden. Campers will also learn the importance of eating a healthful diet, such as the health benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables and substituting whole-grain foods for refined-grain foods.
Campers will get plenty exercise through fun games such as running and ball games. The physical activity games will be non-competitive and designed to engage children of different skill levels. The motto is exercising is fun!
Supported by a grant from the OSU Women's Giving Circle
