Upcoming Programs and COOKING CAMPS for Summer 2012!

At LAST, I think I have most of the summer schedule nailed down.  Please let others know if they think their child/grandchild would be interested in a fun, educational, tasty camp this summer.  Camps are generally 2 hours/day for 4 days.  All campers will receive a meal each day, recipe booklet, certificate of completion, apron, and chef's hat.  What fun!

UPCOMING PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS:

After-School Programs being held for students at the following schools:

Ss. Simon & Jude – West Chester

St. Patrick – Malvern

St. David’s – Willow Grove

St. Norbert’s – Paoli

St. Philip Neri – Lafayette Hill

Norwood-Fontbonne Academy – Chestnut Hill

Programs open to the public:

APRIL –

KIDS - Whitpain Twp. Parks & Rec @ Wissahickon Valley Public Library – Sweet and Savory Snacks - Tuesdays, April 24 – May 15 – 4:30-5:45 PM – Register here - http://www.whitpainrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=26432

ADULTS - Whitpain Twp. Parks & Rec @ Wissahickon Valley Public Library – Candy Making - Thursdays, April 26 – May 10 – 7-9 PM – Register here -

http://www.whitpainrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=26432

MAY –

ADULTS – Upper Dublin Twp. Parks & Rec – Brunch Foods – Wednesday, May 2 – 6-8 PM – Register here - http://www.upperdublin.net/store/item.aspx?cat_id=23&item_id=1186

ADULTS – Phoenixville Parks & Rec – Fabulously Easy Desserts – Wednesdays, May 9-23 – 7:15-9:15 PM – Register here - http://www.phoenixville.org/_Departments/Recreation/Programs.html

JUNE –

KIDS – Country Day School of the Sacred Heart – Monday, June 11 – Thursday, June 14 – 10 AM - noon – AG Doll Camp – Register here - http://www.cdssh.org/domain/57

KIDS – Country Day School of the Sacred Heart – Monday, June 11 – Thursday, June 14 – 1 –3 PM – Cooking Around the USA Camp – Register here - http://www.cdssh.org/domain/57

KIDS – Phoenixville Parks & Rec – Monday, June 11 – Thursday, June 14 – 10 AM - noon – Beginning Cooking Camp – Register here -http://www.phoenixville.org/_Departments/Recreation/Programs.html

KIDS – Phoenixville Parks & Rec – Monday, June 11 – Thursday, June 14 – 1-3 PM – Cooking Around the World Camp – Register here -http://www.phoenixville.org/_Departments/Recreation/Programs.html

KIDS – Country Day School of the Sacred Heart – Monday, June 18 – Thursday, June 21 – 10 AM - noon – Beginning Cooking Camp – Register here - http://www.cdssh.org/domain/57

KIDS – Country Day School of the Sacred Heart – Monday, June 18 – Thursday, June 21 – 1 –3 PM – Cooking Around the World Camp – Register here - http://www.cdssh.org/domain/57

KIDS – Upper Dublin Twp. Parks & Rec – Monday, June 18- Thursday, June 21 – 10 AM – noon – Beginning Cooking Camp – Register here - http://www.upperdublin.net/departments/parks/programsguide.aspx

KIDS – Upper Dublin Twp. Parks & Rec – Monday, June 18- Thursday, June 21 – 10 AM – noon –Cooking Around the USA Camp – Register here - http://www.upperdublin.net/departments/parks/programsguide.aspx

KIDS – Country Day School of the Sacred Heart – Monday, June 25 – Thursday, June 28 – 10 AM - noon – Cooking Around the Clock Camp – Register here - http://www.cdssh.org/domain/57

KIDS – Country Day School of the Sacred Heart – Monday, June 25 – Thursday, June 28 – 1 –3 PM – Eat Like the Pros Camp – Register here - http://www.cdssh.org/domain/57

KIDS – Margate Rec Center – Tuesday, June 26 – 3:30-5:30 PM – Candy Making – Register here - http://edrec.margateschools.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/integrated_home.phtml?gid=2101874&sessionid=aa49fb0fe74953c0186651020bc6d691

JULY -

KIDS – Mermaid Country Day Camp – Monday, July 2 – Friday, July 6 (no camp on July 4) – 10 AM-noon – Beginning Cooking Camp – Register here - http://www.mermaidlake.com/mcdc/specialty.html

KIDS – Mermaid Country Day Camp – Monday, July 9 – Friday, July 13 – 10 AM-noon –Cooking Around the Clock Camp – Register here - http://www.mermaidlake.com/mcdc/specialty.html

KIDS – North Penn Community Ed – Monday, July 9 – Thursday, July 12 – 10 AM-noon – Beginning Cooking Camp – Register here - http://www.npenn.org/5577992912550/site/default.asp (Link for Happy Camper Brochure)

KIDS – North Penn Community Ed – Monday, July 9 – Thursday, July 12 – 1-3 PM – Cooking Around the USA Camp – Register here - http://www.npenn.org/5577992912550/site/default.asp (Link for Happy Camper Brochure)

KIDS – Margate Rec Department – Monday, July 9 – Thursday, July 12 – 3:30-5:30 PM – Beginning Cooking Camp – Register here - http://edrec.margateschools.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/integrated_home.phtml?gid=2101874&sessionid=aa49fb0fe74953c0186651020bc6d691

KIDS – Mermaid Country Day Camp – Monday, July 16 – Friday, July 20 – 10 AM-noon – Eat Like the Pros Cooking Camp – Register here - http://www.mermaidlake.com/mcdc/specialty.html (scroll down on page)

KIDS – North Penn Community Ed – Monday, July 16 – Thursday, July 19 – 10 AM-noon – AG Doll Cooking Camp – Register here - http://www.npenn.org/5577992912550/site/default.asp (Link for Happy Camper Brochure)

KIDS – North Penn Community Ed – Monday, July 16 – Thursday, July 19 – 1-3 PM – Eat Like the Pros Cooking Camp – Register here - http://www.npenn.org/5577992912550/site/default.asp (Link for Happy Camper Brochure)

KIDS – Methacton Community Ed – Monday, July 16 – Thursday, July 19 – 10 AM-noon PM – AG Doll Cooking Camp – Register here – http://www.bookking.ca/bkmsdpub/courses/index.asp

KIDS – Methacton Community Ed – Monday, July 16 – Thursday, July 19 – 1-3 PM – Cooking Around the USA Camp – Register here - http://www.bookking.ca/bkmsdpub/courses/index.asp

KIDS – Margate Rec Department – Monday, July 16 – Thursday, July 19 – 3:30-5:30 PM – Cooking Around the USA Camp – Register here - http://edrec.margateschools.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/integrated_home.phtml?gid=2101874&sessionid=aa49fb0fe74953c0186651020bc6d691

KIDS – Chesterbrook Academy – Wednesday, July 18 – 10 AM-noon – PRIVATE session for Chesterbrook campers

KIDS – North Penn Community Ed – Monday, July 23 – Thursday, July 26 – 10 AM-noon – Christmas in July Cooking Camp – Register here - http://www.npenn.org/5577992912550/site/default.asp (Link for Happy Camper Brochure)

KIDS – North Penn Community Ed – Monday, July 23 – Thursday, July 26 – 1-3 PM – Cooking Around the Clock Camp – Register here - http://www.npenn.org/5577992912550/site/default.asp (Link for Happy Camper Brochure)

KIDS – Margate Rec Department – Wednesday, July 25 – 3:30-5:30 PM – Cooking Baking Workshop – Register here - http://edrec.margateschools.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/integrated_home.phtml?gid=2101874&sessionid=aa49fb0fe74953c0186651020bc6d691

KIDS – Avalon Library – Monday, July 30 – 11-noon – Cupcake Decorating Workshop – Register here - http://www.avalonfreelibrary.org/kids.asp

KIDS – Upper Merion Community Ed – Monday, July 30 – Thursday, August 2 – 9-11 AM – Cooking Around the Clock Camp – Register here - https://secure.uppermerionparkandrec.org/activity_session_listing.asp?classID=167

KIDS – Upper Merion Community Ed – Monday, July 30 – Thursday, August 2 – noon-2 PM – Eat Like the Pros Cooking Camp – Register here - https://secure.uppermerionparkandrec.org/activity_session_listing.asp?classID=166

KIDS – Steve’s Sewing, Vacuuming, and Quilting, King of Prussia – Monday, August 6 – Thursday, August 9 – 10:30 AM-12:30 PM – Beginning Cooking Camp – Register here - http://stevessewandvac.com/mfg-subcat-item.asp?cID=0&scID=559&mID=-1&Format=

KIDS – Steve’s Sewing, Vacuuming, and Quilting, King of Prussia – Monday, August 6 – Thursday, August 9 – 1:30 PM-3:30 PM –Cooking Around the USA Camp – Register here - http://stevessewandvac.com/mfg-subcat-item.asp?cID=0&scID=559&mID=-1&Format=

KIDS – Margate Rec Department – Monday, August 6 – Thursday, August 9 – 1 PM-3 PM –AG Doll Cooking Camp – Register here - http://edrec.margateschools.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/integrated_home.phtml?gid=2101874&sessionid=aa49fb0fe74953c0186651020bc6d691

KIDS – Upper/Lower Gwynedd Twp. Park & Rec Department – Monday, August 13 – Thursday, August 16 – 10:30 AM-12:30 PM – Eat Like the Pros Cooking Camp – Register here - http://www.lowergwynedd.org/departments/parks/programs.aspx

KIDS – Montgomery Twp. Park & Rec Department – Monday, August 13 – Thursday, August 16 – 10 AM-noon – Beginning Cooking Camp – Register here - http://www.montgomerytwp.org/department/?fDD=5-0 (Link for Spring and Summer 2012 Recreation News)

KIDS – Montgomery Twp. Park & Rec Department – Monday, August 13 – Thursday, August 16 – 1-3 PM – Eat Like the Pros Cooking Camp – Register here - http://www.montgomerytwp.org/department/?fDD=5-0 (Link for Spring and Summer 2012 Recreation News)

KIDS – Margate Rec Department – Monday, August 13 – Thursday, August 16 – 1 PM-3 PM – Cooking Around the World Camp – Register here - http://edrec.margateschools.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/integrated_home.phtml?gid=2101874&sessionid=aa49fb0fe74953c0186651020bc6d691

KIDS – Upper/Lower Gwynedd Twp. Park & Rec Department – Monday, August 13 – Thursday, August 16 – 1:30-3:30 PM – Cooking Around the World Camp – Register here – http://www.lowergwynedd.org/departments/parks/programs.aspx

KIDS – Montgomery Twp. Park & Rec Department – Monday, August 20 – Thursday, August 23 – 10 AM-noon – AG Doll Cooking Camp – Register here - http://www.montgomerytwp.org/department/?fDD=5-0 (Link for Spring and Summer 2012 Recreation News)

KIDS – Montgomery Twp. Park & Rec Department – Monday, August 20 – Thursday, August 23 – 1-3 PM –Cooking Around the USA Camp – Register here - http://www.montgomerytwp.org/department/?fDD=5-0 (Link for Spring and Summer 2012 Recreation News)

KIDS – Upper Dublin Twp. Parks & Rec – Monday, August - Thursday, August 30 – 10 AM – noon –Cooking Around the Clock Camp – Register here - http://www.upperdublin.net/departments/parks/programsguide.aspx

KIDS – Upper Dublin Twp. Parks & Rec – Monday, August - Thursday, August 30 – 1-3 PM –Cooking Around the World Camp – Register here - http://www.upperdublin.net/departments/parks/programsguide.aspx

STONE HARBOR – TENTATIVE DATES – Registration Info to Come…

July 9-12 – 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM – Snack Attack

July 16-19 – 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM – Cooking Around the Clock

July 23-26 – 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM – Beginning Cooking

July 30-August 2 – 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM – Cooking Around the USA

August 6-9 – 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM – Eat Like the Pros

August 13-16 – 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM – Cooking Around the World

NORTH WILDWOOD – TENTATIVE CAMPS – DATES TBD – Registration Info to Come…

Beginning Cooking Camp

Eat Like the Pros Camp

Cooking Around the Clock Camp

Cooking Around the USA Camp

COOKING CAMP THEMES

Beginning Cooking Camp - Campers will enjoy kid-friendly favorites for budding chefs, including oven-baked chicken fingers, homemade pasta and meatballs and more! Each member of the family will enjoy these entrees when the kids make them at home. Boys & Girls: Ages 7 - 11

A.G. Cooking Camp - Does your daughter love her dolls, each with its own name and story? Each day of this camp, we’ll make foods that Josefina, Kirsten, Kaya, and Samantha & Nellie would have eaten if they were really little girls in that era. Girls will decorate an apron to use and take home at the end of the week. Girls are welcome to bring their dolls along!  Girls: Ages 6 - 11

Cooking Around the Clock Camp - Each day, we'll make foods for a different meal of the day - Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, and Dinner.  By the end of the week, your cookin' kid will be helping (or showing YOU how!) to prepare any meal, any time! Boys & Girls:  Ages 7-11

Eat Like the Pros Camp - Love those “boys of summer”?  Want to be a major leaguer when you grow up?  Well, get an early start by EATING like the Phillies do!  We’ll make favorite recipes of some of your favorite players. Boys & Girls: Ages 9-14

 

Cooking Around the USA Camp - Camp will feature food from a different section of the United States of America each day including Southern Cooking, Hawaiian, California Cuisine and “Philly Phoods”. Boys & Girls: Ages 10 - 14

 

Cooking Around the World Camp - This camp will feature food from a different place in the world each day. This year, we’ll prepare cuisines of Italy, Mexico, France, and on the last day, we’ll prepare some recipes from the good ol’ USA.  Boys & Girls: Ages 11-15

Christmas in July Camp – In this camp, those who wish Christmas lasted all year long will enjoy listening to Christmas carols while they bake cookies, made edible gifts, enjoy a “mocktail” party, and more!  Boys & Girls:  Ages 7-11

  

It's Really Happening!

I enjoy teaching people to cook and bake.  My education and work experience have been in teaching/training.  I especially love that "Aha!"  moment with kids when they really "get it".  Now, I'd never try to tell you that my culinary programs are rocket science.  As my mom said her mom told her, "If you can read, you can cook!"  But, there's something so rewarding about sharing the preparation of a meal with others.  

So, for almost ten years, I've been bouncing along, baking cakes and cookies, making candy, and teaching cooking programs.  Loving it, but realizing that I can't reach as many as I'd like.  Several years ago, I started thinking about expanding my business.  But, just like an overprotective parent, I was hesitant to allow someone else to teach my programs.  You can say many things about me, but I rarely make rash decisions.  I think things through from every angle, figure out how to handle any challenge, think some more, figure some more, and finally begin to unfold my plan.

After a few years, I finally started the process of getting the financing I needed to expand.  It took another year to GET the financing.  I began to interview candidates who responded to my ad for "teachers who love to cook, looking for part-time/summer work".  It amazed me to find out that there were so many qualified candidates!  I could've asked many of them to join us - but I don't have enough work for them (yet). 

Today, our first camps began - at Steve's Sew & Vac in King of Prussia.  They have a wonderful Miele demo kitchen in the center of the store.  Cooking there feels like you died and went to kitchen heaven!  It's bee-you-tee-ful!  I went there to assist.  Honestly, I wondered how I would feel, not being "in charge".  Well, I didn't have to worry - my instructor Wendi did such a superb job today!  I also had Michele along - she's doing an internship with me.  She was a great help, too.  Both of them said how much they enjoyed it.  Wendi's excited to be on her own.  I've never had children, but I suppose this is how parents feel when their children take off the training wheels, or learn to drive, or go off to college. 

So, tomorrow, I won't have to rush out the door to teach the camp - although I WILL stop in to see if Wendi needs any help - but I will have a camp running without me, while I'm drumming up even more business.

Next week, Steph will be teaching a camp.  I know she'll do a great job, too!  And, I can't forget to mention Shawn, who is taking on a lot of one-day programs at various locations this summer.  She's also on reserve as a sub.

It always amazes me when folks think what I do is cool.  It is - I've always thought so.  But, I have come to realize that it's a really good idea, and I'm very proud of that.  I'm happy that going with my gut feeling has helped me along the way.  My instructors are willing to come along for the ride, eager to work with me, anxious to see my business grow.  THAT makes me smile!  I feel very blessed to have found something I love to do - and a way to earn a living doing that.  :-)