Bakers at Heather Friedrichen's camp took a dip in the pool while their baguettes baked...then devoured their loaves.

by Margo Callaghan

There were no mosquitoes, bunk beds, or s'mores in sight. Instead, there were mixing bowls, blueberries, and butter by the pound. "Baking Camp" week was the brainchild of Shelburne resident Heather Friedrichsen who opened her doors to ten 4th-6th grade "campers" for a culinary adventure. With the help of her sister, Kelly Kendell who is a special education para professional at Charlotte Central School, the pair introduced the world of sifting flour, preparing pans, and mixing muffin batter to the enthusiastic audience of children from Shelburne and Charlotte.

Friedrichsen knew what she was getting herself into; she has been providing childcare during the school year in her home (Heather's House) since moving to Shelburne seven years ago. The Baking Camp indirectly was an offshoot of that program - although the campers would be older children and camp would run for a week in the summer. Summers are typically a time Friedrichsen would have free to spend time with her own children; however, daughter Emily and son Alex took part in this camp and enjoyed it as much as their fellow bakers did.

What wasn't to enjoy? Just the day before this interview, the campers were treated to a field trip to Mirabelle's in Burlington - an opportunity for the children to meet a professional baker. Over the course of camp week, the young bakers' labors included a day dedicated to perfecting pies and homemade piecrusts. Another day, baguettes were created from scratch. And the course of study on the day of the Shelburne News site visit was the art of muffin making: lemon and blueberry, pumpkin with cream cheese filling, carrot cake, and an apple strudel variety. "Yum" was the word that came to mind. On Friday, the final day of the camp, the kids would be bringing in a recipe of their choosing to create.

Now how many summer camps offer parents such tasty and tangible "fruits" of their kids' labors at each day's end? Friedrichsen and her sister are already planning another baking camp in the future, as it seems as though they have discovered a perfect recipe for keeping kids busy, happy, and well fed. Friedrichsen invites parents to contact her at 985-0616 for more information.