2025 Summer Culinary & Baking Boot Camps For Youth

We had a great time at Boot Camps 2024 and we're looking forward to getting campers back into the kitchen in June 2025!

For Youth ages 12-17

Registration is NOW OPEN!

Register for Summer Boot Camps Here!

The 2025 schedule is posted below as well as basic camp information. Space is limited and camps will fill quickly.

if the camp you want is full, contact sjwagner@alaska.edu to be added to the waitlist. 

While you wait for June to roll around, we are offering a Youth Cooking Club Series this spring! The remaining classes are Desserts 1 on March 22nd and Desserts 2 on April 19th. Visit our Community Culinary Courses tab for course descriptions or click the link to register.For More information or to Register for Youth Cooking Club Click Here!

Please contact Sam Wagner at 907-786-1165 or sjwagner@alaska.edu with any questions.

 2025 Camp Schedule

Monday - Friday, 10:00am to 3:00pm

Cuddy Hall, UAA Campus

Fee: $600

Fee includes chef jacket, hat, culinary tool, expert instruction, lunch recipes and a fun learning experience!

Food Technology Boot Camp is for youth ages 12-17 interested in engineering and the culinary arts. Cooking is one of humanity’s most ancient technologies! Students will learn about the technology of food, from techniques that go back to prehistoric times to modern kitchen appliances, and about how these technologies shape our cultural connections to cuisine. There will be hands-on practice with instructor led demonstrations and supervision. Students must be able to work independently as well as in a group.

Sessions: June 2-6 Register for Summer Boot Camps Here!

Beginning Culinary Arts Boot Camp is for youth ages 12-17 who wish to acquire basic cooking techniques that they can take from the classroom to their home kitchen.  Students will learn knife skills, safety and sanitation practices, order of operations, how to read a recipe, culinary vocabulary, and most importantly will be preparing a wide variety of meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes from scratch. There will be hands-on practice with instructor led demonstrations and supervision. Students must be able to work independently as well as in a group. 

Sessions: June 9-13 & June 16-20 & June 23-27 Register for Summer Boot Camps Here!

Decorative Baking Skills Boot Camp is for youth ages 12-17 interested in exploring hands-on practice of basic artistic decorative skills.  Student will focus on simple and formal cake and pastry decoration techniques to include working with fondant, royal icing and buttercream icing. There will be hands-on practice with instructor led demonstrations and supervision. Students must be able to work independently as well as in a group. 

Sessions: June 2-6 & June 16-20 Register for Summer Boot Camps Here!

Beginning Bakery Boot Camp is for youth ages 12-17 interested in exploring the basic methods and techniques of baking and pastry arts! Students will learn proper measurement, safety and sanitation practices, order of operations, how to read a recipe, baking vocabulary and most importantly, will be preparing a wide variety of baked goods from scratch! There will be hands-on practice with instructor led demonstrations and supervision. Students must be able to work independently as well as in a group. 

Sessions: June 9-13 & June 23-27 Register for Summer Boot Camps Here!

• Culinary & Baking Boot Camp FAQ's

  SUMMER 2025 CULINARY AND BAKERY BOOT CAMP QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

    

  What time do camps begin and end? How early can I drop my child off?  How late can I pick up?

  Camps begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m, Monday through Friday. We do not have capabilities for before or after care, therefore it is very important that your child does not arrive before 9:45 a.m., and is picked up no later than 3:15 p.m.

   I would like to switch to a different camp.

  No problem – as long as there is space in the desired camp, before the first day of camp. Please call our office at (907) 786-1165 or email sjwagner@alaska.edu.

  How do I cancel my child’s camp?

  As soon as you know that your child will not be able to attend, contact us at (907) 786-1165 or sjwagner@alaska.edu to cancel. Cancellations made seven days or more in advance of your scheduled camp will receive a 100% refund.

  What should my child wear for the camp and what supplies are provided?

  For safety reasons, all students must wear closed toed shoes and long pants – No shorts, skirts, or flip flops.  A chef coat, toque, and apron will be provided on first day of class.  In all camps, students will be provided with the supplies, tools, and equipment needed to accomplish the tasks of the day. On the last day of camp, students will be given a tool to take home along with a certificate of completion, recipe packet, and their uniform. Students may also bring home samples to snack on throughout the week!

  Should they bring a packed lunch?

  Lunch is provided! A menu will be shared with you one week before camp. We will do our best to accommodate allergies that are identified in the “Information Card and Medical Release," but we may not be able to meet the needs of every camper. You are encouraged to pack a lunch for your child if they have restrictions or if they are a picky eater. Refrigeration can be provided.

  Due to a previously scheduled appointment my child will be late arriving or will need to leave early. Do I need to tell you?

  Yes, let us know by completing the “Additional Information” registration form, or send an email to sjwagner@alaska.edu.  Please note that it is disruptive to the class for a student to arrive late or leave early as projects are group based. We ask that you to minimize these types of interruptions by scheduling appointments outside of camp times.

  What if my child is sick?

  Please call us at (907) 786-1165 or email sjwagner@alaska.edu prior to 10:00 a.m. to let us know. If we have not heard from you and your child has not arrived by 10:30 a.m., we will give you a call. 

  Do I have to come in to drop off and pick up my child?

  Yes, on the first day! A responsible adult must accompany your child to check in on the first day of class. To expedite the first day check in, please complete and return all registration forms before Monday morning. For the rest of the week you may drive through the parking area adjacent to the open side door and drop off your child. For pick up you may do the same. Our Chef Assistants will be waiting with all students at the end of the day, and your child will need to check out with them prior to leaving.  Entry/exit is through the east side door of Lucy Cuddy Hall, accessed from the west campus central parking lot adjacent to Rasmussen Hall.  A visible sign will be posted. If you prefer to require an adult to come in to check out your child, please indicate this on the “additional information” form in the registration paperwork.

  Parking?

  Access to our building will be no earlier than 9:45 a.m. Lucy Cuddy Hall is in the West Campus Central Lot, and parking is only allowed in a valid parking spot.  If you wish, you may purchase an hourly parking voucher at $2.00 per hour or $10.00 per day from the Pay and Park Machine in the lot Mon-Thurs.  Parking is free on Fridays.  You can also download Passport from the App Store to pay by phone!

  Do not block ADA parking spaces or use them without proper documentation on display.

  After checking in the first day, you may drive by the east side of Cuddy Hall and drop off /pick up at the posted door.  Please do not arrive earlier than 2:45 p.m. to pick your student up unless you park in a valid spot. Students will be dismissed at 3:00 p.m. unless class finishes early.

   Please keep our students safety in mind at all times as you are dropping off and picking up.  AT NO TIME WILL VEHICLES BE ALLOWED TO “WAIT” IN TRAFFIC LANES.  This lot is patrolled daily and safety is our number one priority.

  How many campers are in each class?

  Each camp accepts up to 14 students. In each camp your child will be learning skills from our Chef Instructor-Faculty and an experienced Chef Assistant. Students will be working mostly in groups of two or three. Please note that your child is expected to actively participate in all activities, independently and as part of a group.

  Is there extra support offered for my child they have an IEP with their school district?

  No - we do not have additional staff to work individually with students who need extra support. Please call us at (907) 786-1165 if you wish to clarify or have questions.

  What if my child has a medical or dietary concern?

  Please indicate on the “Information Card and Medical Release Form." We will do our best to make accommodations, but we may not be able to meet the specific dietary needs of each camper. Please call us at (907) 786-1165 if you wish to clarify or have a question.

  Do you have lockers for valuables?

  Yes, although locks are not provided. Your student is welcome to bring their own lock. 

  Can my child bring their cell phone?

  Of course! However, they must either be locked in a locker or kept in their personal belongings while class is in session. If you need to get an urgent message to your child please call us at (907) 786-1165.

   

  We are committed to ensuring your child has an enjoyable and safe experience at our Culinary and Bakery Summer Boot Camps!  If you have any questions that are not covered above, please give us a call at (907) 786-1165 or email sjwagner@alaska.edu.