Outdoor Kitchen Project We have developed plans to expand our existing facilities to accommodate the demand for our programs and the ever-growing need to connect children with the natural world and cultivate in them a knowledge and skill base in sustainable living and organic food production. We are extending our existing shade structure, which, at maximum capacity, comfortably shelters 10 children and 1 adult teacher with a total of two worktables. The structure, now covering only a 10 by 15 foot area, will be extended to thrice its current size. This increase is necessary not only to accommodate more children with a comfortable environment to work, but also to serve as the housing for an outdoor demonstration kitchen. The demonstration kitchen will facilitate herbal medicine making activities, mushroom cultivation workshops, cooking classes using freshly harvested vegetables and herbs from the organic garden. The new shade structure will wrap around the kitchen, forming an L-shaped design, maximizing space, access to the kitchen, and visibility for demonstrations and programs. Both the shade structure and the kitchen will be constructed using permaculture principles. For example, the design of the shade structure will harness the permaculture principle of stacking functions. The structure will serve multiple functions of the garden and programs, including space for our summer sustainability camp activities, space for our fall and spring programs, a place to rest from the midday sun, protection from the rain, a platform for solar water heating, a collection surface for water catchment, and an aesthetically pleasing place to rest and relax anytime. Our aim is that the project serves as a model of sustainability in its design and function and to fully engage the project as a viable learning opportunity in sustainable design and construction. The Green Team, a local guild of 15 teenage environmentalists from Orchard View High School, will be involved in the planning and implementation of the project. Beginning in Mid-April of 2008, two teachers from Earth Camp, Kyle Collins and Kari Stettler, will work side-by-side with the Green team to plan for the layout and construction of the outdoor kitchen and shade structure. The youth involved will learn aspects of the Permaculture design process and principles as well as skills in green building and design, while being exposed to local professionals in these fields throughout the different phases of the project. This will happen in bi-weekly, four hour teaching sessions, spanning two months. Students who contribute to the project and complete the workshops will be invited back to Earth Camp as camp counselors or to share their experience and knowledge gained with younger students enrolled in the summer sustainability camp and other programs. Participants will also have the option to further their education by being connected to local projects in sustainability and permaculture design, gardening, and building in Sebastopol and surrounding areas. The Outdoor Kitchen Project will serve Sebastopol and Santa Rosa children, young adults, teachers and adults. Our 2008 spring and fall programs will serve over 200 children, ages 5 to 16, while our summer sustainability camp will host 200 children, ages 6 to 14. The outdoor kitchen will broaden our curriculum and enhance all of these programs in some way. Current Projects
Project Elements Natural Clay/Cob Oven Solar Oven Four Burner Stovetop Stainless Steel Sink and Wash Basin Stainless Steel Work Tables and Demonstration Island Shelving and Cabinetry made from Recycled Materials Multi-layered Herb Drying Rack and Medicine Making Equipment Recycled and Reclaimed Lumber Salvaged Galvanized Steel Roofing Program Goals 1.To build an outdoor kitchen that is a model of sustainable building design. 2.To teach high school youth and give them vocational experience in natural/green building. 3.To serve the community with educational programs in herbal medicine making, organic cooking, and mushroom cultivation. Objectives A. To involve 15 high school youth throughout the project. B. To bring in four local professionals in green and natural building. C. To have two high school youth return as camp counselors. D. To have four high school youth get involved with other local projects in sustainable and natural building. E. To serve 400 children, ages 6-14, with our outdoor kitchen in 2008. The Needs Served by this Project 1 Knowledge of Earth friendly/sustainable living skills for youth 2 Ecological and cultural literacy in our youth 3 Physical space limitations of current structure and facilities to serve our growing customer base. To donate or help out with this project, email info@earthcampcollective.org Sponsor Links www.seb.org www.lagunafarm.commailto:kyle@earthcampcollective.orghttp://www.seb.orghttp://www.lagunafarm.comshapeimage_4_link_0shapeimage_4_link_1shapeimage_4_link_2