Christiana Care Health System - Camp FRESH

Overview

High-school students have gained a new appreciation for the importance of good nutrition through Camp FRESH, a summer wellness program for Wilmington’s youth. The program teaches teens (ages 13 to 18) the benefits of healthy eating and encourages them to pass along the knowledge. Camp FRESH youth plant gardens and staff two produce markets in the city twice a week to help improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The teens also attend classes on topics such as healthy nutrition, mental health awareness, and responsible sexuality.

Impact

Research by Camp FRESH youth in 2007 revealed that Wilmington residents have greater access to high-calorie, low-nutrient food and drink items than to foods generally considered healthful. Since then, Camp FRESH youth have worked with other organizations to establish two community gardens as well as Wilmington's first urban farm. Fruit and vegetables from the farm, as well as produce from local growers, are sold at two farmers markets in the city twice a week. These efforts have helped to increase access to affordable, healthy foods for city residents.  A follow-up survey was conducted over two summers, in 2011 and 2012.  Data collected from the follow-up survey will be paired with 2007 research.

Challenges/success factors

Camp FRESH youth have also met with local policy makers and community leaders to promote their efforts and advocate for more equitable access to nutritious foods.

Future direction/sustainability

Now in its seventh year of operation Camp FRESH continues to advance its vision of improving the food environment in Wilmington. Plans for the future include analyzing the data of the follow-up assessment of the community food environment, creating raised bed gardens ons-site at Camp FRESH and building a curriculum to enhance education and health promotion learning opportunities for youth.

Advice to others

During the planning phase of programmatic efforts like Camp FRESH, identification and recruitment of community stakeholders as partners are essential both for viability and sustainability. Knowing which organizations and community leaders are on your side can help overcome logistical hurdles such as securing small-scale funding opportunities, as well as advancing key objectives such as land-use agreements for creating an urban farm. Active community participation is also key to disseminating program results and advocating for community benefit issues.

Contact: Brian Rahmer, CHES
Manager, Health Services Research
Department of Family and Community Medicine
Telehone: 302-428-6524