I grew up attending a variety of COOKSMART camps and classes, where I developed a lifelong passion for cooking. I have now worked at COOKSMART for the last two summers, sharing my passion for cooking with the campers. Every day, I was excited to attend work for so many reasons! COOKSMART has been a crucial part of my life. I have developed many lifelong relationships with my co-workers, who are all marvelous people. Kathy, the owner and founder of Cooksmart, first met me when I was 8 years old, attending my first Cooksmart class. My fondest memory of this summer was being able to witness the progression of every single camper! Many campers would arrive on Monday with no prior cooking experience and leave with so many new skills. I would not be who I am without COOKSMART.
(5) Unique value
In my opinion, COOKSMART is not just your typical summer camp. At COOKSMART, we teach kids a valuable life skill in cooking through a variety of diverse and delicious recipes. We also emphasize the importance of nutrition, healthy eating habits, and kitchen safety. Kids will learn a variety of cooking skills, such as chopping, baking, and managing heat sources like the stovetop or griddle. COOKSMART will set your child up for future success and independence in the kitchen.
(5) Program quality and activities
At COOKSMART camp, I took on the role of supervisor for a couple of days. My job was to make sure all the kids were happy and having fun, while also looking after the staff’s well-being. This experience challenged me more than my usual program manager role, pushing me to grow and learn. I was grateful for the opportunity to take on this responsibility.
(5) Social dynamics and experience
At Cooksmart, I have developed lifelong relationships with my co-workers. When we first met, we were all immediately connected through our love for working with children. I have known Kathy for close to 8 years now, and she has always been someone I can look up to. It is pretty difficult not to become friends with my colleagues when we work together for eight hours a day to ensure that the kids have a fun experience at camp.
(5) Skills and growth
My time at COOKSMART made me a better leader, positively impacting all areas of my life. I learned to communicate effectively and support others, which helped me in many aspects of my life such as school and sports. The experience taught me the importance of teamwork and kindness, shaping me into a more confident and capable person. I am so grateful for all the skills I gained this summer.
(5) Reflections and advice
The main lesson I gained was the importance of teamwork. I learned so much by collaborating with a diverse group of people, each with unique skills and strengths. By utilizing these strengths effectively, we can achieve our common goal: ensuring the kids learn and have a fantastic day at camp. Working together not only helps the kids but also makes our experience better.
My son loves every minute of COOKSMART Day camps! He was excited to go in the morning and excited to tell me about his day and what he learned after. He pays more attention to healthy vs unhealthy sna...
