St. Vincent’s One Nineteen offers cooking camp for kids

By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL/Staff Writer 

HOOVER – After eight successful years, they’re at it again. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen kicked off its ninth annual Thyme to Cook for Kids cooking camp Monday, June 16. Children ages 6 to 9 gathered for a week of preparing and eating “made-from-scratch” meals taken from simple yet delicious recipes.

“At St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, we’re dedicated to serving the overall health and wellness of our community through a variety of offerings, including our cooking camps,” said Donna Sibley, wellness dietitian for St. Vincent’s One Nineteen.

“We had this whole kitchen, and had always had a desire to teach kids kitchen,” explained Sibley. Opening a cooking camp was “just natural,” she said.

Through the program, St. Vincent’s One Nineteen encourages kids to “discover new ways to cook old favorites, to investigate new foods, and to explore healthy cooking for a lifetime of good eating.”

Each day, the young participants cook four meals consisting largely of fresh ingredients purchased from local farms. They learn how to prepare foods such as muffins, lasagna, roast chicken, tacos, vegetables, salads, various desserts and more.

They also learn where the food comes from.

“We compared farm eggs, learned about honey—their different colors and why they are different,” said Lauren Sineath, registered dietitian at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen.

The education provided by Thyme to Cook for Kids extends further than culinary tactics and tips. The kids utilize science, mathematics and reading and listening comprehension, while strengthening direction-following and social skills.

“They’re learning to share and work as a team,” Sineath explained as busy little chefs bustled about the kitchen.

St. Vincent’s One Nineteen will also be hosting a Thyme for Teens Cooking Academy, which will offer to teen participants more thorough cooking instruction and a greater acquaintance with the kitchen. The session will take place July 28 – August 1, and will cost $195.

“By teaching kids and teens healthy eating habits and cooking skills early on, we’re empowering them to not only utilize these habits today, but for a lifetime,” Sibley said.

For more information, visit the Wellness desk at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen or go to www.onenineteen.com.

 Cooking Camp

What: Thyme To Cook for Kids
Session 1: July 14-18 (Ages 6-9 years), “Around America in Five Days”
Session 2: July 21-25 (Ages 10-12 years), “Around America in Five Days”
Time: 8:00 a.m.-Noon for all sessions
Cost: $195/session. 10 percent discount for multiple siblings. A half-day program with Camp One Nineteen in the afternoon is $17/day.