Campers Cooking up Meals and Fun in Paoli

Taco Cups, Spaghetti Pizza Bake, and Pretzel Crusted Chicken are on the menu this week at the homes of 11 cooking campers. And that's just the main course. Chocolate fondue bananas, pound cake, and marshmallows were Wednesday's featured desserts. Thursday night it's deep dish apple pie and homemade ice cream.

These chefs are all between the ages of 7 and 11. They are campers at the latest three day session of cooking camp at in the Paoli Village Shoppes across from the SEPTA Station in Paoli. There are sessions for older campers also.

Owner and a staff of three chef-counselors are teaching the campers not only the origin and art of making dishes from around the globe, but the skills for safe food handling, preparation and (a parental favorite) kitchen clean-up.

The three day camp sessions run Tuesdays through Thursdays. Now in its third year, the popular camp sessions sell out quickly. To accommodate demand for this summer Phillips has added another August session which will run from August 16-18 and is open to kids aged 11-13. The cost is $150 and includes dinner for four, prepared by the camper, each night of the session. Visit the store's website for details and to download a registration form.

While this session happened to have only girl campers, boys are welcome. Phillips says several boys are registered for upcoming sessions this month and next.