In the first phase of her project, Hamilton conducted cooking demonstrations and nutrition lessons for 75 children ages 4 through 13 at the Norwood Junior Master Gardener camp.  Due to the popularity of the camp program, smaller, family-oriented classes continued through the fall and winter with 11 families participating. The program encouraged families to cook more meals at home each week rather than rely on fast food or take out.  Children and their parents attended twelve, two-hour classes where they learned the basics of nutrition and cooking skills they could apply at home.

As a result of the program:

• 75 campers were taught the importance of nutrition and introduced to new fruits and vegetables (Pilot Study, no data obtained).
• 6 of 11 families reported cooking at least 1 additional dinner at home per week via pre and post class surveys.
• 2 of the 11 parental units reported increased cooking skills via pre and post class surveys.

The Norwood Resource Center is sustaining the Saturday Cooking Club as a permanent community program.

“The incredible opportunity offered by the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship served as a constant reminder of why I entered the healthcare profession – to help people.  It never ceased to amaze me how eager families were to learn at my cooking and nutrition classes each week.  Their genuine appreciation for such a program in their community inspired me weekly to develop lesson plans that were both enjoyable and impactful.”