Last summer’s 4-H Kids Cooking Like a Chef Camps provided many positive experiences for 143 youth from 8 counties. In early June, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was determined that face to face camps were not the best option. Therefore, we moved our camps to a virtual platform and found many unexpected benefits. To do this, our agents came together and determined a new plan. To implement the program, they developed kits, lesson plans, and videos. The kits included basic cooking supplies and some ingredients which might be difficult to find in their rural communities. Each of the lesson plans included a review of the cooking skills needed, nutritional information, and the recipe for the specific lesson. Agents and teen leaders filmed videos that demonstrated the cooking skills and the preparation of each of the recipes. Youth were encouraged to submit pictures or videos of their dishes to receive rewards.
