MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Paring, slicing, dicing, and cubing are a few of the activities that young chefs will learn at Mississippi State University’s seventh annual Fun with Food Camp.

The five-day camp will be June 17-21 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m on MSU’s Starkville campus. The camp is open to children entering third through sixth grades and provides an opportunity for hands-on food experiences.

Each day the students prepare a meal from scratch, learning cooking techniques such as measuring, cutting and safe food handling. In addition to acquiring new culinary skills, campers learn about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Visits to a local farm and garden introduce participants to agriculture. Other activities include tours of a local grocery store and MSU’s cheese plant, dairy farm and sensory laboratory.

Sylvia Byrd, camp director and professor in MSU’s Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion, said the camp offers an opportunity for children to learn meal-planning skills, how to read a recipe, and the importance of nutrition and eating locally.

“As they cook and participate in games, students use math, reading and time management skills,” Byrd said. “They also taste new foods and flavors by including fruits and vegetables they may not have tried before in the meals they prepare.”

The $200 registration fee includes meals, snacks, field trips and a T-shirt. For more information or to register, visit http://www.fsnhp.msstate.edu or contact Byrd at (662) 325-0919.