- San Diego Independent School District's culinary camp gives students a taste of the real world.
- Cooking camp students learn how to cook food, but they also learn reading, math and science with each recipe.
This summer, students in the San Diego Independent School District were learning basic life skills in the kitchen. From reading recipes and measuring to science, students learned everything they need to be successful in the kitchen.
Burgers were on the lunch menu on Tuesday, June 11. But before the burgers could sizzle in a hot skillet, there was some preparation the San Diego High School students had to do.
The students sat down to review the recipe and ingredients needed and then went to their assigned desk to get to work, with each student preparing a different part of the lunch menu.
“Before now I didn't really cook much. I would help out occasionally. Now I make french fries. If I have potatoes at home, I might make them at home,” cooking camp participant Mackenzie Conchas said.
Mackenzie Conchas said she wasn't quite sure what to expect, but “it's really beneficial.”
Conchas is about to enter second grade, and she and her campmates were cutting potatoes, something they wouldn't learn in a real classroom.
Mary Smithwick, a cooking camp instructor for the district, said students need to know how to cook for themselves as they go out into the world. She teaches them healthy, inexpensive meals that are quick and easy to make.
“As educators, it's really important to share the knowledge that we have. This is a life skill that students can take home and use. They don't realize how important it is,” Smithwick said.
Eloy Cantu was one of the campers, and his favorite food at camp was pancakes, but he's not one to spend time in the kitchen.
But he said he was learning “basic skills that you'll need later in life.”
The lunch menu was finally finalized and students helped themselves to hearty meals that filled both their bellies and their brains.
As the kids devoured their loot, culinary camp instructor Mary Smithwick said the students weren't necessarily aware they were learning, just excited to eat.
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