Yum-o! Kids Discover Chocolate’s Surprising Secrets at Daycroft’s Summer Camp
In Weeklong Program, Children Learn History and Uses of Chocolate, and Make Everything from Molded Chocolate Basket to Chocolate-Covered Bacon
Ann Arbor, MI (July 28, 2010) – Willy Wonka would no doubt approve. Earlier this month, summer day campers at Daycroft Montessori School (www.daycroft.org) of Ann Arbor became chocolatiers for a week, exploring the history, science, and uses of chocolate, as well as the food’s many different forms and tastes.
Fifteen children participated in the “Chocolate Confections” program. It took place each day from July 12 to 16 at Daycroft’s Elementary Campus on Zeeb Road.
Mandi Tuite, who teaches Grades 3-4 at Daycroft during the regular school year, led the camp program. Why study chocolate? Tuite explains: “My students know how much I love chocolate, and they would often tease me about it. They tended to think of chocolate only as candy. I saw how a program on the topic would not just be fun, but would also help the kids see the historical, cultural, and culinary importance of chocolate.”
As Tuite notes, the appreciation of chocolate extends at least as far back as the ancient Greeks, and chocolate is a vital ingredient in many non-confectionary dishes. “The mole sauce of Mexican cuisine is a prime example,” she says. “Plus you’ll find chocolate in a whole range of beverages, salads, marinades, and more.”
Per Tuite, “The children were surprised to learn how chocolate can be a healthy food – and how working with chocolate can be an art form. They used raw chocolate, free of sugar, dairy, or wheat, to create some truly special treats. These were very different from the common candy bars the kids might get from a convenience store.”
Hands-on Lessons from a Local Chocolate Master
Daycroft summer day campers who took part in the “Chocolate Confections” program include:(front row, from left) Maya Powell, Liza Pritchard, Atticus Dewey, Nicole Persad; (second row, from left) Kevin Ko, Eve Beauchamp, Claire McClelland, Courtney Palkowski, Brooke Fisher, Anson Briegel, Andrew Fisher. In the back row are Mandi Tuite, a Grades 3-4 teacher at Daycroft and head of the “Chocolate Confections” program, and Scott Huckestein of Schakolad Chocolate Factory.
In the “Chocolate Confections” program’s introductory session on Monday, the campers explored how the different percentages and forms of cocoa, a well as other varying ingredients, affect the taste and texture of chocolate. “The children sampled everything from high-density cocoa powder to white chocolate based on cocoa butter,” notes Tuite.
On Tuesday, the campers enjoyed a visit from Scott Huckestein, the owner and proprietor of Schakolad Chocolate Factory (www.schakolad.com/Chocolate/Ann-Arbor/Downtown), a shop offering fine chocolates, truffles, and ice cream at 111 E. Washington St. in downtown Ann Arbor.
Huckestein showed the children how cocoa beans grow as part of a flower, and he broke open some beans’ husks to reveal the flavorful cocoa nibs inside. He went on to show how to temper chocolate into a confectionary treat by making a molded chocolate basket. Then, with Huckestein’s help, campers made their own molded chocolate suckers.
Chocolate-dipped strawberries, pretzels, and crackers were some of the tasty treats made by Daycroft summer day campers in the “Chocolate Confections” program duaring the week of July 12-16.
“It was great to see how engaged the kids were in the demonstration,” says Huckestein. “The key was letting the children see and take part in an actual chocolate confection being made. I believe this took the lesson to the next level for the kids. They got more than just a simple review of facts and figures on chocolate. It made the learning real.”
Later in the week, campers dabbled in many more applications and treatments of chocolate. They made and tasted chocolate candies, baked chocolate cupcakes, sampled chocolate-dipped pretzels and fruit, and even tried chocolate-covered bacon.
Bacon? “Yes, bacon,” says Tuite. “The kids loved it! One very astutely described it as ‘a sweet and salty treat.’ We may have some future Food Network stars in our midst!”
About Daycroft Montessori School
Daycroft Montessori School blends the distinctive student-centered teaching methods of Maria Montessori with traditional and progressive teaching methods. Daycroft thus accomplishes its educational mission: to provide a personalized learning environment that appreciates individual differences, nurtures the whole child, and enables students to develop at their own pace and achieve to their full potential.
Daycroft is one of Washtenaw County's leading independent schools. It began as a preschool program in 1968. Daycroft has since grown to include a full-day kindergarten program, an elementary school program through 6th grade, before-school and after-school care, summer camp programs, and enrichment classes.
Daycroft has earned accreditation from the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS; www.isacs.org). It is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS; www.nais.org) and is affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS; www.amshq.org).
Daycroft Preprimary School (preschool and kindergarten) is at 100 E. Oakbrook Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 930-0333.
Daycroft Elementary School (grades K through 6) and Daycroft's administrative offices are at 1095 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Phone: (734) 662-3335.
Media Contact:
Chris Kochmanski
DesignHub, Inc.
(734) 944-8705
chris@design-hub.com
Daycroft Open Houses
Oakbrook Campus (Pre-K)
November 2
January 4
Zeeb Campus (K-6)
November 4
December 2
January 6
All open houses are from 9 to 11 am.
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