Camp Kitchen: A Week of Cooking, Baking, and Teamwork

My plan to post a “picture a day” quickly fizzled, but the photos themselves tell a lively story of one busy week in our camp kitchen. I managed to take the pictures, even when I didn’t always have the energy to write up a full post each day. My husband suggested I simply share the images, but a little context helps the moments come alive, so here’s a more complete account of what was happening behind the scenes.

One of the more amusing moments involved Melissa and a pair of safety goggles. At first glance it looks like a bright fashion choice, but there’s a practical reason behind it.

When our “star chopper of the week,” Julia, was on duty slicing onions, Melissa—who is normally unfazed—would tear up. To keep her comfortable and to keep the kitchen running smoothly, she borrowed goggles. The sight was so endearing that it became an inside joke for the day: goggles to the rescue while Julia chopped without slowing down.

Another highlight was the arrival of Ann, who traveled all the way from Kamloops, BC to help in the kitchen for the week. Her presence was an enormous help and a real joy to the team. Ann is also a blogger, which gave us lots to talk about between tasks and made her time with us even more special.

The proverb “many hands make light work” could not be truer in a camp kitchen. When volunteers arrive ready to cook, bake, and serve, the whole operation hums along. Among the helpful faces this week were Laurel and Sue, who contributed their time and baking expertise.

Sue’s baking days are an especially fragrant and productive time in the kitchen. With her at the oven and counters, the scent of fresh baked goods fills the air. She prepared a variety of treats that kept everyone smiling and satisfied:

On the menu that day were Texas brownies,

raspberry coffee cake,

and, remarkably, about 1,500 cookies—literally. Baking at camp is scaled up to feed a large, hungry group, and Sue’s efficiency and recipes make it possible to produce huge batches without sacrificing quality or flavor.

So who were we feeding that week? A lively mix of campers and staff kept the dining hall full and cheerful. The group included 85 Day Campers from grades 1–6, 35 Ranch Campers, 35 CITS (Counselors in Training), and 45 staff members—about 200 people in total. Preparing meals and snacks for that many people is a lesson in organization: planning menus, coordinating volunteers, timing oven batches, and ensuring everyone eats together comfortably.

By the end of the week the campers went home tired and happy, and the kitchen team began preparing for a fresh arrival the following Sunday. The rhythm of camp life means we cook, serve, clean up, and then do it all again with the next group—each week offering new faces, new stories, and the same dependable teamwork that keeps our camp well fed.

These photos capture small moments—goggles and laughter, hands at work, and trays of baked goods—but together they show the heart of what happens in a camp kitchen: volunteers and staff working side by side, serving food, creating memories, and making camp life a little sweeter for everyone who attends.