“We’ve had Kids in the Kitchen since 2007,” said Junior League vice president-elect Emily Bowman, “and every year it’s gotten bigger. We’re targeting the idea of getting kids into the experience of cooking so they can learn safe and healthy food choices in order to fight childhood obesity, one of our top concerns in the Miami Valley.”
The event will also include games, exhibits and food tastings prepared by Jeff Delahunt, director of dietetics and nutrition at Dayton Children’s Medical Center. In addition to Kids in the Kitchen, the Junior League of Dayton sponsors a regular exhibit in the museum’s Junior League Deli, where kids can build a healthy lunch that integrates concepts of caloric intake and portion control.
“For this year’s Kids in the Kitchen,” Bowman said, “we’ve tied in some things that go along with cooking and diet like handwashing and exercise. We work every year to expand in fun ways that make it exciting and playful.”
“We’re about education and children and doing what’s best for them,” said Kristy Creel, manager of marketing and public relations for the Dayton Society of Natural History. “And we’ve had a long relationship with the Junior League, so this seemed like a natural fit.”
Also at the museum that day is an Arbor Day celebration, The Power of Trees, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Sponsored by local paper manufacturer NewPage, kids will learn the importance trees play in our lives and the world around us. They will learn the science that goes into paper-making and have the opportunity to make their own.
And from noon to 4 p.m., the museum will host Astronomy Day. The museum’s astronomy department, with the Miami Valley Astronomical Society, will lead safe solar observing (weather permitting) and a variety of demonstrations of scientific concepts and principles. Free astronomy materials will be provided by telescope manufacturer Celestron, as well as a chance to win a Celestron AstroMaster LT 60AZ telescope. Astronomy Magazine will give away a free subscription.
Along with these events, the full museum will be open to the public during regular Saturday hours of noon to 5 p.m. The cost of the events is included in general admission ($8 adults, $7.50 seniors and children 2-12), and free for museum members and children under 2.
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