On Tuesday, July 6th, New York Restoration Project (NYRP) welcomed 30 New York City youth to the first day of our third annual Summer Camp program. Taking place in NYRP’s Swindler Cove Park, this year’s camp will connect participating students – ages 8 to 12 – to the process of how food travels from garden plot to family table.
Despite the sizzling summer heat, an array of smiling faces excitedly began six weeks of exploring and interacting with New York City’s great outdoors. Focused on teaching kids how to make informed, healthy food choices, this year’s Summer Camp is engaging each students’ inner green thumb by first teaching them how to care for and grow the food they eat every day.
By the end of this years camp, students will have gained the necessary skills and awareness to make nutritious decisions and meals for themselves and their families that contribute to an overall improved lifestyle.
Throughout the summer, campers will work together to harvest a variety of vegetables from NYRP’s very own Riley-Levin Children’s Garden, which they will then use to cook healthy, organic meals for lunch each day. Eggplant, squash, green beans, lettuce and cucumbers are just a few of the tasty treats that these budding gardeners are going to learn how to grow, cook and enjoy – many of which these students are experiencing for the first time.
Along the way, the campers will take field trips; conduct experiments; go camping; eat delicious food; welcome guest chefs, nutritionists, and farmers; and have a whole lot of fun!
Follow NYRP on Facebook and Twitter to get daily updates on all of our Summer Camp adventures!