It’s the time of year that parents dread and children dream about – it’s almost summer! Looking for activities for your munchkins? I have the city’s largest online searchable database of Houston summer day camps. It’s based on a book I created back in 2003 called The Summer Book: A Guide to Houston Day Camps and Classes for Kids and Teens. There are more than 225 camps in the greater Houston area, many of them geared towards teaching healthy habits and exploring the joys of cooking.
To start your kids on a fun cooking adventure, check the schedules of Central Market and Sur La Table, as they have ongoing cooking classes for kids year round. For a variety of specialized camps, read on and have your kids’ appetite for learning and eating stimulated. Contact the organizations for specific dates, age ranges and fees. Please note that these camps are not recommended for children with food allergies or food sensitivities.
The Health Museum
www.thehealthmuseum.org | 1515 Hermann Drive, 713-521-1515
The Health Museum offers three food-related camps. In “Lil’ Chef’s Academy,” kids will make kid-friendly creations, including healthful smoothies and pizza, all while learning about the basics of good nutrition. In the “Savory Science” camp, kids will experience the kitchen chemistry behind some of their favorite foods while learning how to distinguish between healthful and unhealthy ingredients. And in “Edible Explorations,” kids will experience the kitchen chemistry behind their favorite foods and candies.
Italian Cultural & Community Center
www.iccchouston.com | 1101 Milford, 713-524-4222 x4
Students are immersed in the richness and beauty of the Italian language and culture as soon as they enter “la casa” at the ICCC. Students will assume an Italian name for the week and attend not only daily scoperte or “discoveries” but also a plethora of diverse cultural activities, including cooking Italian food.
Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston
www.erjcchouston.org | 5601 S. Braeswood, 713-729-3200
Campers will travel by bus to Urban Chef where they will create menus, learn cooking techniques and create delicious entrees. Menus will be kosher-style and different for each week of camp. Campers will return to the J for recreational swimming in the outdoor pool. Lunch will be made daily by campers and is included.
Recipe for Success Foundation
www.recipe4success.org | 713-520-0443
Recipe for Success Foundation’s “Eat This! Summer Camp” prepares youngsters to become savvy food consumers. This year they will be offering two different camps. The first focuses on how food producers develop and market products to the American consumer. The second focuses around R4S’s Eat It! Food Adventures with Marco Polo Cookbook, taking kids on a global adventure through food.
Yorkshire Academy
www.yorkshireacademy.com | 14120 Memorial Dr., 281-531-6088
Yorkshire Academy’s summer program offers a wide array of weekly camp options for 24 months through sixth grade, including cooking camps as part of their enrichment offerings. They also have choices for academic camps, theme-based camps and flexibility for half day, full day or full time (early and late hours) care.
The Summer Book® Online: A Guide to Houston Day Camps and Classes for Kids and Teens (www.thesummerbook.com) is a free online searchable database of more than 225 Houston summer day camps created and updated by Gish Creative (www.gishcreative.com).