Camp Eagle Ridge’s “Food Revolution”
It’s been interesting watching “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” (ABC). For those of you unfamiliar with the show, it focuses on the eating habits of our nation and in particular, our kids. Part of the goal of the show is to change our kids’ school lunch program and to feed our kids much healthier meals.
At Camp Eagle Ridge, we’d like to think we’ve been ahead of the curve on this one. We’ve had a long history of preparing our meals mainly “from scratch”. We only serve water, milk, ice tea, and 100% real fruit juice. Our salad bar is available at every lunch and dinner and everything on it is fresh and full of color. We don’t serve soda, nor do we have vending machines. All in all, every meal is packed with healthy, delicious choices.
We have three main goals at Camp Eagle Ridge: develop leadership skills, develop a sense of community responsibility and develop healthy living skills. By offering healthy choices at every meal, we’re teaching our kids to enjoy a rich variety of foods. Our kids are learning that food is better when its not processed, fried and “golden brown”. Food is wonderful when you see a rich variety of colors…yellows, oranges, reds, etc.
Now we’re taking our goal of teaching healthy living skills two steps further! This year, we will be planting a garden at camp. Amanda Brown, our oldest girls’ counselor, has developed a wonderful garden plan. Our kids will be learning to grow and harvest. They will have a great understanding our where our food comes from.
The other big change is that our kids will have the opportunity to learn to cook! At every choice activity period, cooking will be offered. Our campers will be able to work in the kitchen with our staff and learn to prepare healthy, nutritious meals. They will also learn about sanitation, food safety and composting.
Many of our families are familiar with staff member, Jason Davis. Jason was a boys’ counselor and then, our Waterfront Director for seven years. When we decided to involve our campers in food preparation, it was important to us that the program was headed by someone very skilled in working with young people. Jason Davis will be our Kitchen Facilitator. Jason has spent the last six months preparing to take on this new role. He has been training with two chefs in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and is receiving his Serv Safe certification in food safety.
We’re very excited about these new additions to our already excellent food service program. We believe that it is very much in line with our camp’s philosophy and goals. We look forward to sharing pictures of our new garden and our “cooking campers”!
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Testimonials
Parents say:
"I want to thank you and your staff for my son's WONDERFUL, growthful, experience at camp. He was the child I knew awhile ago but I feared was disappearing before my eyes. He was open, sweet, thoughtful and delighted about life again. He met adults he admires and he drew deeply from the leadership times; he learned to negotiate through difficult situations and to accept everyone without complaining or acting self centered."
"I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for providing my son with such a wonderful experience. He was so excited to share his experiences with us that he talked non-stop for two days! He enjoyed every minute at Camp Eagle Ridge that he would like to go up next year for two weeks! He also mentioned that his younger sisters (and possibly older brother) would like it there too!"
"Thank you for leading by example. I cannot say enough how much respect my daughter has for everyone on staff."
"Your staff are FANTASTIC! Kelly, you have a gifted insight for hiring the most positively influential staff members. My son comes home and talks about college and his future and choices because the male staff members he learns from are living the experiences and sharing them with him."
From our 2009 Parent Survey:
What's the best thing about Camp Eagle Ridge?
"the comfort that my children feel when they are there"
"the inclusivensss, the friendship, atmosphere of acceptance"
"The sense of belonging and community that is fostered there. My kids feel a part of something bigger at camp."
"teamwork, being in touch with the nature, making friends from all over the US/world, learning good life skills through mentorship and peers"
"acceptance, loving, caring, inclusive, staff and fun, fun, fun"
"the staff is outstanding and makes every kid feel important"
"my children love it! The director is very attentive to parent needs for communication and to the needs of the campers"
From our 2009 Camper Survey:
What's the best thing about Camp Eagle Ridge?
"the loving and caring environment that makes everyone feel special"
"the way people are accepted for who they are"
"meeting new friends"
"the people and the sense of family there"
"the hugs, the love, sailing! Everything!"
"the food, people, experiences and memories"
Any thoughts on our staff?
"they are great! very enthusiastic and encouraging"
"the staff are always incredible helpful and caring no matter what"
"I love them all!"
"really fun, really funny!"
"Awesome" |
