Childhood obesity is very high in Alaska. The cold, long, dark winters add to a sedate lifestyle and selection of unhealthy foods. In our community a lot of young children go home to empty houses or are unsupervise. This activity would provide an activity that teaches a healthy life skill and provides a fun , safe activity for elementary aged youth. It also allows teens to serve as mentors to these youth and hopefully will connect some parents to information on quick and healthy foods that even kids can prepare. This will encourage more family time together.

The "I Can Cook" project meets a number of objectives. It allows teens to serve as mentors while providing a safe environment afterschool for young children. It also addresses a health concern and an independance skill that can be useful to young children. The project will establish a 4 week mini course to teach children in a mini food lab setting. Kids will go into one of six kitchens in my school lab with teen mentors and practice/ learn a few basic cooking skills. They will also be able to participate in mini activities related to healthy foods.

FCCLA, Family, Careers and Community Leaders of America,members will create a 4 week mini lesson series to teach kids in third and fourth grade how to prepare nutritious and easy snacks and meals. The program will target low income students from latch key homes. Members will set their goals by using a timeline and planning process. They will need to contact the local school, our administrator, parents and teachers to begin the process. Before this a schedule of classes and the items they will teach will be identified and placed in a flyer used to advertise the program. Permission slips will also have to be developed. Following the planning and advetisement for the project they will set up sign ups. The Act portion of the project will include the week by week purchasing on ingredients, recipe identification, handout preparation and implementation. Following the four sessions a questionarre to the participants will help plan for future workshops.

We would like to include at least one chef from a food related business. This will introduce a career and offer another mentoring opportunity for the participants. Some of the local small businesses can help contribute adverising and supplies or incentives. Our local paper would also be encouraged to cover the story.