VERSAILLES, IN — The Science Behind Cooking Camp, an experiential learning opportunity through Genesis: Pathways to Success’ initiative, A Summer of STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, & Mathematics), took place this past week. This experience impacted a total of 22 students who came from all across Ripley County to congregate at South Ripley High School where the camp was held.
Students were taught rudimentary cooking and baking skills, cooking history, and scientific elements regarding baking, and were provided with a hands-on learning opportunity to cook their own creations over the course of 4 days (June 20-23).
Each day of the camp helped to further develop each student’s cooking skills as they prepared foods such as pancakes, eggs, bacon, pizza, homemade soft-serve ice cream, smoothies, and mac-n-cheese. The week was concluded with a visit from a special guest from the owner of The Hassmer House Tavern + Inn located in Versailles, Professional Chef David VanArtsdalen. He taught the students how to make the Hassmer House’s specialty mac-n-cheese.
“I’ve always held a passion for being able to teach the local youth how to prepare and properly handle food. When I was given this opportunity, I was so thrilled and am glad that the camp turned out to be such a success,” VanArtsdalen said.
Genesis would like to give a special thanks to the Ripley County Court Services for providing each student with Family Meal Bags. Each bag was filled with all of the ingredients needed for the students to cook every recipe learned at camp in their own kitchens for their friends and family at home to promote bonding.
“This is what makes these camps so special. The students learn skills that they can take home and apply in their everyday lives,” said Clarice Patterson, Director of Genesis: Pathways to Success.
To learn more information about this summer camp or if you have questions, please contact Patterson by emailing [email protected], calling (812) 933-1098, or stopping by the office at 13 E. George Street, Suite B, in Batesville.
(Genesis: Pathways to Success/Ripley County Community Foundation press release)
