Pilot Light was excited to partner with Chicago Blackhawks Foundation for the Blackhawks Virtual Summer Camp this summer. In collaboration with Pilot Light, the camp’s marquee session each week focused on nutrition and culinary skills through the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation’s Healthy Hawks program, presented by AT&T Believe Chicago.
Healthy Hawks is typically a summer field trip to Fifth Third Arena, the Chicago Blackhawks Community Rink, that teaches children about making nutritious food choices and fueling their bodies for exercise. In this third season of the program, offered virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 240 kids from across Chicago tuned in as Pilot Light fellow Bryan Soto from Academy for Global Citizenship cooked alongside Tommy Hawk to coach campers on how to make four different healthy snacks.
Before making their recipes, campers listened to players reflect on how daily food choices can fuel their bodies for the demands of exercising followed by a food education lesson on the nutrition of each recipe. Campers were then encouraged to “practice” and check their understanding of nutrition concepts by answering a few questions. Finally, to make connections between their own decision-making, campers cooked alongside Bryan to make four healthy snacks using a mix of familiar and new fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains. Snack recipes were designed by Pilot Light to focus on accessible ingredients, different food groups, and nutrient-density all while being kid-friendly and adaptable based on whatever ingredients campers had in their home kitchens. Recipes included Trail Mix, Build Your Own Toast, Tortilla Roll Ups, and Energy Bars.
In addition to the video food education lessons and recipe demonstrations through Healthy Hawks, each week also featured supporting activities focused on physical fitness and arts & crafts that are ideal for kids ages 8-12 who may have missed out on their traditional summer camp or other youth activities due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns!
Thank you to the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation and to Pilot Light Fellow and Academy for Global Citizenship’s own Health and Wellness teacher, Bryan Soto, for making this wonderful experience possible!
If you’re still looking for an activity for remote learning this Fall, stay tuned to the One Community page for resources and be sure to check out the Food Education Center for lessons, videos, and additional resources.