STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Young people can learn about local foods, kitchen basics and easy recipes at an upcoming Mississippi State University camp.

The Culinary Arts Kids Camp is a hands-on, weeklong day camp hosted by the MSU Extension Service and the Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion.

“Our focus is to introduce kids to new and exciting experiences with foods,” said Courtney Crist, a camp instructor and associate Extension professor in the Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion. “Research has shown the importance of hands-on experiences in getting children to try foods, especially fruits and vegetables.”

The camp is open to rising 4th-6th graders June 17-21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Rising 7th-12th graders can participate June 24-28 from 9a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

Camp participants will experience new foods and flavors, gain culinary skills and techniques, use reading and math skills for recipes, acquire new skills to make food products and understand the importance of food safety.

Topics will include food safety, breads, fruits and vegetables, sweet treats, dairy products, kitchen and cooking utensils, knife skills and measuring with math.

Crist and chef Vicki Leach will lead the camp.

Registration is $300 per child and includes lunch and snacks. Enrollment is limited to 18 students per class. Registration is available at https://www.fsnhp.msstate.edu/workshops/camp/.

All participants must be enrolled in 4-H and have the required forms on file. All required forms will be available once participants are registered.

MSU is an equal opportunity institution. For disability accommodation or other information, contact Hannah Howell at [email protected] or 662-325-0240.