Stepping Up at Tamarack Farm Camp 2015 - Farm & Wilderness

One of the goals of Tamarack Farm is to support and inspire young people to step up and take initiative and responsibility. We want each member of our community to find pride in work well done. Every summer we attract amazing staff with a high level of skill in everything from farming and homesteading to construction and art. Often there are campers who take an interest in one of the areas where are staff have some expertise.

Nat, a camper this summer, has embarked on an apprenticeship in the kitchen. Our cooks are top notch this summer, and Nat wants to be a chef. Instead of free time, Nat is working in the kitchen side-by-side with our cooks. I’ve seen him there in the early morning, during afternoon activities, and late at night (preparing a brisket meal for the next day). This morning, I saw him in the homesteading kitchen and asked him about his motivation and interest.

“I want to be a cook. I really like being in the kitchen with our cooks…they’re great,” he said. “I can learn stuff and it’s satisfying to put out meals that camp enjoys and to make food that I enjoy.”

He went on to talk about the things he’s learning that he sees as valuable like honing his basic knife skills and getting faster on prep work, which he sees as a valuable skill in any kitchen. Our cooks this year have inspired him with their experimenting with different, interesting flavors. For example, he cited the intriguing combination of a celery-and-grapefruit salad he learned from this summer’s cooks.  “I have a lot I can learn from working with them,” he added.

Additionally, Nat is working with our head cook to take the lead on a few meals this summer. He’s not only learning about planning and ordering food, but is also overseeing the meal production.

Nat’s just one example of the campers who are making the most of their summer here. Giving teens the experience of satisfying work and problem solving is one of the best gifts; I’m so excited to see it happening at the Farm this summer.

— Amy Bowen, Tamarack Farm Director