Neurodiverse Adults CONNECT at Saturday Socials
Culinary & Life Skills Classes for Post High School Adults 18+
WHAT? Saturday Socials offer a unique culinary opportunity for adult participants. Every Saturday Social is a three-hour, all-inclusive, hands-on experience where participants prepare an easy meal together in our cozy home kitchen. Participants sit together, share the meal and conversation following preparation. Following the meal, participants clean up. Conversations are guided by conversation starters around the theme and current culture.
WHERE? Camp Cook Kitchen
WHEN? 11:00am-2pm on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Four participants minimum and six participants maximum per class.
$75/participant
HOW? Participants learn culinary and organizational life skills essential for navigating the kitchen and for future independent living. Each month has a specific theme, focus, with intentional concepts and skills. The curriculum is mindfully and purposefully designed for learning in the home environment. Our teaching method is based in positive terms, praise and encouragement. We express what participants need to do rather than focusing on what not to do.
WHO? This class is for post high school adults 18+ with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD. Other high functioning individuals with varying neurodevelopmental challenges are welcome if our prerequisites are met. Currently, our classes are primarily for individuals on the higher functioning end of the spectrum. We do have some adaptive tools/utensils in our kitchen for those who may need them. We are completely hands-on and teach participants how to follow a recipe, use a full range of cooking utensils and tools, large and small appliances, knives, ovens, electric and gas cook tops, and much more.
PRE-REQUISITES? Our core prerequisites for all participants are the following:
1. Literacy - specifically be able to read and follow simple written directions.
2. Ability to follow simple verbal instructions.
3. Ability to mirror simple, visually demonstrated directions.
4. Willingness to work independently in a small group setting with others.
5. Non-aggressive comportment.
6. Comfortable with hand-on-hand support/guidance.
7. Interest in participating in learning to cook.
8. We require an initial questionnaire for all incoming participants prior to registration.
9. We also require all participants, along with parents/guardians to tour our kitchen whether it be at an open house, or a private (free) appointment before their first class.
INTERESTED? Here's how to start the registration process: Please contact us here to request our Adult CONNECT questionnaire. We will send you a live link to the questionnaire. Complete and submit questionnaire. Once we receive the fully completed questionnaire we will send you a private registration link. At that point, you are free to register for as many open classes as you like. Questions? Feel free to call the office 281.855.9779.
Summer/Early Fall Schedule
June 15, 2024 Summer Yums FOCUS: Fantastic Food Processor DESCRIPTION: This month all eyes are on the fantastic food processor! This small appliance is very versatile and a big-time saving piece of equipment. Our recipes this week all use the food processor in some manner. The brand we use are Ninja. Our pizza sauce is from scratch utilizing sweet summer tomatoes! Seasonal fruits and veggies will be a topic of conversation this month. As with every class, we sprinkle in knife skills, ingredient education, reading and following a recipe, tools and utensils how-to, table setting, and clean up. This is a hands-on experience and with a meal, and some to-go home. MENU: Perfect Pizza Sauce-Mini Pizza Bites, Toasty Zucchini Potater Tots, Crusted Sweet Potato Chicken Nuggets, Sassy Street Tacos, Berry Yummy Butter Cream Parfaits COST: $75 DURATION: 3 Hours
July 20. 2024 Americana Brunch FOCUS: Magnificent Mixer DESCRIPTION: This month all eyes are on the magnificent mixer! Mixing and blending oh my! Participants will learn the mixer can actually mean different things when cooking up a recipe. We will explore mixing versus blending. Our recipes are suitable for breakfast and lunch. Our soup is from scratch utilizing fresh rosemary, basil and sweet summer tomatoes! Seasonal fruits and veggies will be a topic of conversation this month. Sweet summer berries make another appearance in our tart recipe. As with every class, we sprinkle in knife skills, ingredient education, reading and following a recipe, tools and utensils how-to, table setting, and clean up. This is a hands-on experience with brunch as our meal, and some to-go home. MENU: Rosemary Tomato Basil Soup, Special Sourdough Grilled Cheese Bites, You Choose Egg Casseroles, Mini Berry Tarts COST: $75 DURATION: 3 Hours
August 17, 2024 Crunch 'N Munch FOCUS: Awesome Air Fryer DESCRIPTION: Join us this month for some crunchy fun! We will focus on learning all about the awesome air fryer! This small appliance is very versatile and is a valuable piece of equipment for your kitchen. We will cook an entire meal using the air fryer. Our kitchen is equipped with three different types of air fryers exposing participants to differences. The brands we use are Ninja. As with every class, we sprinkle in knife skills, ingredient education, reading and following a recipe, tool and utensil how-to, table setting, and clean up. This is a hands-on experience and a full meal with some to take home. MENU: Crunchy Chicken Strips, You-Choose Chicken Wings, Sassy Seasoned Curly Fries, Mini Cobs, Cinnamon Grilled Apples COST: $75 DURATION: 3 Hours
September 21, 2024 Grill and Chill FOCUS: Indoor & Outdoor Grill Skills DESCRIPTION: This month indoor and outdoor grill skills take center stage! Participants will learn the basics of indoor and outdoor grilling. We will explore the outdoor grill and how to use an indoor grill pan as well. Our recipes this month will utilize both. Grill masters unite! As with every class, we sprinkle in knife skills, ingredient education, reading and following a recipe, tools and utensils how-to, table setting, and clean up. This is a hands-on experience with a meal, and some to-go home. MENU: You Choose Burgers OR Chicken, Groovy Grilled Pineapple Veggie K-Babs Cool Chocolate & Strawberry Panini COST: $75 DURATION: 3 Hours