Frequently Asked Questions & What to Expect at Camp

What does a typical day of camp look like?

Campers spend their time cooking multiple recipes, practicing kitchen skills, tasting new foods, playing games, taking movement breaks, and cleaning up together. Most camps include 2-4 recipes per day depending on age group and recipe complexity.

How many recipes will my child make?

Most elementary and tween campers make at least three recipes per day. Pre-K and Kindergarten campers typically complete two recipes during their shorter camp sessions.

Do campers get to eat what they make?

Yes! Tasting is part of the learning process, and campers also bring many of their creations home to share with family.

Does my child need cooking experience?

Not at all. We welcome beginner cooks and experienced young chefs alike.

My child is a picky eater. Will camp still be a good fit?

Absolutely. We never force children to taste foods. Our goal is to create positive food experiences and encourage curiosity. Many campers surprise themselves by trying new foods (and we celebrate this too!)

Will my child use real kitchen tools?

Yes. Campers learn to safely use age-appropriate kitchen equipment under staff supervision.

What kitchen skills will campers learn?

Skills may include:

• Measuring

• Mixing

• Chopping

• Kitchen safety

• Kitchen hygiene

• Reading recipes

• Following directions

• Cleaning up

• Food preparation

• Food exploration

• Teamwork

• Independence

My child has a disability. Can they attend?

Absolutely. Happy Place was founded on the belief that everyone deserves a positive experience in the kitchen. We welcome children of all abilities and encourage families to share support needs during registration. The more information you can share with our staff about how to best support your child, the better experience we can try and provide!

What kinds of accommodations can you provide?

Depending on your child's needs, accommodations may include:

• Visual supports

• Additional prompts and guidance

• Adaptive cooking tools

• Modified participation options

• Sensory-friendly strategies

• Flexible pacing

My child receives one-on-one support at school. Can they attend camp?

Possibly. We encourage you to contact us before registering so we can discuss your child's needs and determine whether camp is the right fit. In these cases, a support person may need to attend alongside your child. 

My child is autistic. Can they attend?

Many autistic children have had wonderful experiences at Happy Place. We encourage families to share information about support needs so we can prepare for a successful experience.

My child struggles with anxiety or new situations. What should I do?

Please let us know. We are happy to discuss strategies that can help your child feel comfortable and successful.

Do you accept CLTS funding?

Yes. Happy Place is a registered CLTS provider. Families planning to use CLTS funding should contact us before registering so we can help with the process.

What if my child has food allergies?

We take food allergies seriously and ask families to disclose allergies during registration. We will work with you whenever possible to make accommodations. If we are NOT told about a food allergy, there is a possibility that your child will come into contact with an allergen. Please help us try to avoid this by disclosing the allergy at registration. 

Any child with a food allergy MUST carry an epipen with them to class, if they have one. We will have a spot for their epipen to stay during class. Our teachers are trained to use auto-injectors.

Is Happy Place a nut-free facility?

No. Happy Place is not a dedicated nut-free facility. 

Can you guarantee an allergen-free environment?

Unfortunately, no. While we take precautions, we cannot guarantee that cross-contamination will not occur.

What if my child has dietary restrictions?

Please share any dietary restrictions during registration. We will do our best to accommodate them when possible.

Will recipes contain meat?

Some camps may include meat-based recipes, but most focus on fruits, vegetables, baking, or mixed menus. If a child is vegetarian, they always have the option to omit the meat from their own item. Menus vary by camp.

When should we arrive?

This year, the arrival window for camp is 9:00-9:15am. We know many parents are juggling multiple drop offs and pick ups and we want to help. Please note that we WILL start our first recipe at 9:15am sharp, so we want kids to have their hands washed and in their seat by this time. Children that arrive closer to 9am will have the opportunity to work on table conversation, coloring, or other extension activities while they wait. 

What happens if we are late?

We have many recipes to get through and they require sufficient time. If your child is going to be late, please let us know the day before in person or via email so we can know to set aside some food for them. Even if they can’t prepare their food item, we can have it ready for them when they arrive. 

Can someone else pick up my child?

Yes. Please notify us in advance if someone other than a parent or guardian will be picking up your child.

Do I need to come in to pick up  my child? 

Yes. For the safety of every child, we ask that parents park in the north parking lot and walk into the building to pick up their child. We do not want to release children alone into the parking lot. Often times kids are carrying a lot of things to take home and need help. Please contact us directly if this is an issue. 

What happens if I'm running late for pickup?

Please contact us as soon as possible on the kitchen phone: 262-204-9104

What should my child wear?

Campers should wear:

• Closed-toe shoes

• Comfortable clothing that can get messy

• Hair tied back if long

Aprons are provided.

Should my child bring a water bottle?

Yes! Water bottles are encouraged but not required.

Should my child bring lunch?

No. Most camps involve tasting and eating food throughout the day. We do recommend giving a child a small meal before camps so that they are not ravenously hungry when they arrive. We typically do not eat until a mid-class snack (for 9am-12pm sessions) or at the end of the class (for 11am-1pm sessions.) 

Should my child bring a phone or electronic device?

We recommend leaving electronics at home whenever possible. Cell phones or other electronic devices need to be left on the side or in a bag during camp. Reason being? Every time they touch them, they need to wash their hands. Children are not allowed to be on any electronic device during class unless it is an emergency.

Can I stay in camp with my child?

We encourage parents to stay in the building and wait in the community waiting area, which is located just a few steps away from our suite door. We also have a viewing window in the hallway for parents to peek in. For each class we teach, we schedule enough staff to keep a 6:1 ratio (for ages 5 and up) and a 4:1 ratio (for ages 3-5) so that we are closely monitoring all of the children in the class. Unless there is a specific support need and we have arranged for you to stay prior to camp starting, we have found that children do best in camp on their own! We know that parents want to be right there with their children - especially for our preschool program - but we are a small space with lots of helping hands. 

Who teaches camp?

Camps are led by trained teaching staff and supported by trained assistant team members, including college and high school team members. Occasionally supervised volunteers may also assist. 

How do you keep children safe in the kitchen?

Safety is woven into every activity and is one of the biggest things we talk about. Campers receive daily instruction on:

• Handwashing

• Kitchen safety, including being around and cooking with heat

• Proper tool use

• Food safety

• Clean-up procedures

What if my child gets sick during camp?

We will contact the parent or guardian immediately.

Can my child attend with a fever?

No. Children must be symptom-free and fever-free for at least 24 hours before attending camp. If your child is noticeably sick, we have the right to refuse their entry to camp. 

What is your refund policy?

• More than 4 weeks before camp: Full refund

• 1-4 weeks before camp: 50% refund

• Less than 1 week before camp: No refund

Please see our full policy page for details.

Can I switch camps after registering?

If space is available, we will do our best to accommodate transfer requests.

What happens if Happy Place cancels camp?

If a camp must be canceled due to weather or other circumstances, we will schedule a make-up date whenever possible. For weather emergencies, we use the National Weather Service for recommendations on how to proceed. 

What makes Happy Place different from other cooking camps?

Happy Place is an accessible teaching kitchen built around the belief that everyone belongs in the kitchen. Our camps focus not only on cooking skills, but also on confidence, independence, creativity, connection, and joy.

Where are you located?

Happy Place Cooking Space is located at W57N14280 Doerr Way, Suite 104, Cedarburg, WI 53012, with accessible parking and entrance options available. We encourage families to park in the big parking lot (North Side of the building) and come in the North Entrance door. Our suite is just to the left of that entrance, across from the bathrooms. 

Can parents stay on-site during camp?

While camps are drop-off, our building includes community spaces where caregivers may choose to wait just steps from our door.