2026 Kids Cooking Camps — FAQ 

 

Registration & logistics 

When does registration open? 
Wednesday, March 25 at noon at nellstable.com. 

 

How do I know which camp is right for my child? 
Register by age — each camp listing includes an age range. Skill level doesn't matter; these are summer camps and all experience levels are welcome. 

 

How many kids are in each camp? 
Twelve. Small groups mean every child gets hands-on time, not just watching. 

 

What if the camp I want is full? 
Email admin@nellstable.com with your child's name, age, and the camp you're interested in and we'll add you to the waitlist. If a spot opens, we'll contact waitlisted families in the order we heard from them. The spot goes to the first family who confirms. 

 

Can my child do more than one camp? 
Absolutely. Several families did multiple camps last summer. 

 

Can siblings attend the same camp if they're different ages? 
Each week runs one morning camp and one afternoon camp for different age groups. If your children fall into different age ranges, they may actually be able to attend the same week — one in the morning, one in the afternoon. Check the schedule and register each child for the session that matches their age. 

 

Can I request that my child be placed with a friend? 
Since all campers in a session are in the kitchen together, friends who register for the same camp will naturally spend the week together. We don't take placement requests and can't guarantee that friends or siblings will sit together from one day to the next. 

 

My child is on the younger or older end of the age range — is that okay? 

Age ranges are guidelines, not strict cutoffs. Since these are summer camps and not culinary school, we consider the ages of the kids more than academic rigor or kitchen experience — kids generally enjoy being with their age mates. If you have a question about whether your child is a good fit for a particular camp, email us at admin@nellstable.com and we're happy to help you decide. 

 

Is the building accessible for children with mobility needs? 
Unfortunately our building has eight steps at the entrance and is not accessible for children or parents with mobility limitations. Please contact us at admin@nellstable.com if you have questions or concerns. 

 

Pricing & what's included 

Why do some camps cost more? 
Four-day camps are $295.

Five-day camps with premium content — Junior Chef Club, Bakery Entrepreneurs, Little Bake Shop — are $425.

Family Meals camps are $555 due to the longer format and kids will be cooking and bringing home a full family dinner every day for their families to eat or freeze.

French Pastry Camp is $495 due to ingredients and specialized instruction. 

What's included in the cost? 
All ingredients, instruction, and a recipe packet at the end of the week. Kids eat what they cook during camp and bring home whatever is left over. 

 

The camps themselves 

What will my child actually do each day? 
Hands-on cooking and baking with real ingredients, led by professional instructors. Camps also include games and activities. Kids eat what they make and bring home extras. 

Do kids need any cooking experience? 
No. Instructors meet kids where they are. 

 

What should my child wear or bring? 
Closed-toe shoes, short sleeves, and comfortable clothes free of pet hair. A water bottle with a tight-closing lid, labeled with their name — water only, no other beverages. No hats, flowing sleeves, or extra accessories. All ingredients, equipment, and aprons are provided by Nell's Table. We cannot be held responsible for missing items your child may want to bring, so please leave extra things at home. 

What is the Feeding South Dakota service project in the Family Meals camps? 
On Wednesday of each Family Meals week, kids cook for others — preparing food for Feeding South Dakota, a community hunger relief organization — and still bring home a meal for their own family that evening. 

 

Drop-off & pick-up 

When can I drop off my child? 
Doors open 20 minutes before the scheduled camp start time. On the first day, we ask that parents accompany their child inside for check-in. Please note that if you drop your child off 20 minutes early, we will be in final preparations for camp and will not be able to supervise them — children may wait quietly until camp begins. 

What is your pick-up policy? 
Prompt pick-up at the designated end time is required. Our team moves quickly between morning and afternoon sessions — and they'll be hungry too! 

Where do I park? 
We have five designated spots in the lot north of our building, plus street parking on Fairview Street. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. 

Can I stay and watch? 
Our teaching kitchen is a small, working space and doesn't have room for observation. You'll get a sense of this on the first day when you accompany your child inside for check-in. 

What if I'm running late for pick-up?  
We ask that you have a backup plan in place before camp begins — a neighbor, family member, or friend who can step in if something comes up. If you're running late, please call us at the number provided in your registration confirmation so we're not left wondering. 

Can my child be picked up by someone other than a parent? 
Yes. Please provide the names and phone numbers of anyone authorized to pick up your child when you respond to your registration confirmation email. If your child has permission to walk home, please let us know that as well. 

Cancellation/Refund Policy

Cancellation, refunds & missed days 

We are unable to provide refunds or partial refunds for any reason, including illness or scheduling conflicts. Kids Camp is a multi-day experience and each day builds on the skills from the day before — we are also unable to offer make-up sessions for individual missed days. 

You are, however, welcome to send a sibling or friend in your child's place if they have to miss a day. To do this, please email us at admin@nellstable.com with the replacement child's name, parent name, phone number, and email and we will be in touch to confirm. 

If your child wakes up sick the morning of camp, please keep them home. We ask that you not send children who are ill, and we will not be able to provide a refund or credit for that day. The health and comfort of all campers and staff depends on everyone arriving well. 

Questions? Email us at admin@nellstable.com. 

Instructors & Safety 

 
Who are the instructors and what are their qualifications? 
Camps are led by Nell's Gourmet chefs and staff, including professional culinary instructors and experienced educators. Guest chefs from our community join throughout the summer, and Nell's founder Marinell (herself a former classroom teacher) will be lead instructor on several days. 

Will my child be cooking with knives or open flame? 
We teach knife safety and kids will need to pay close attention and follow kitchen rules. Children will not use open flame unsupervised but will use induction ranges at their workstations. Older kids may use the gas range with instructor guidance. 

 

How much supervision is there? 
What is the instructor-to-kid ratio? Each camp has a maximum of twelve kids and at least three adults from our team in the kitchen at all times. 

 

What happens if my child gets hurt? 

Our instructors are trained in kitchen safety and basic first aid. In the event of an injury, we will contact you immediately using the phone number provided at registration. Please make sure you are reachable during camp hours. 

 

 

Food & menus 

 

Can I see the menu for the week before camp begins? 
Yes — watch your email for a detailed menu in the days leading up to your child's camp week. 

My child is a very picky eater — will they still enjoy camp? 
Often the best thing that happens to a picky eater is cooking the food themselves. Kids who make it tend to try it. No child is ever required to eat anything they don't want to. 

 

Do kids have to eat everything they make? 
Not at all. Kids eat what they'd like during camp and bring the rest home. 

 

Are there allergen or dietary accommodations? 
Our kitchen is not allergen-free and we are not able to accommodate gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan diets. We cannot guarantee the absence of any specific ingredient, but we can help a child avoid specific ingredients such as walnuts or poppy seeds. 

If your child has a severe allergy or dietary restriction, please email us at admin@nellstable.com before registering so we can discuss whether the camp is a safe fit. Any dietary restrictions must be reported by email before camp begins. 

 

Communications 

How will you communicate with me during the week if something comes up? 
We'll reach you via the phone number provided at registration. Please make sure it's current and that you're reachable during camp hours. 

 

Before camp, please watch your emails for communication from us.  Add admin@nellstable.com and hello@nellstable.com to your contacts so our emails don’t go to junk. 

Will I get updates or photos from camp? 
We love sharing what's happening in our kitchen! Photos may appear on our website, newsletter, and social media. If you'd prefer your child not be photographed, reply to your registration confirmation with NO PHOTOS in the subject line. 

What is your cell phone policy? 
Cell phones will be turned off and stored in your child's belongings bin during camp. Kids will not be permitted to text, call, or take photos during sessions. Parents can call Nell's Table in case of emergency and our staff will answer and assist. 

 

Behavior expectations  

Our camps are fast-moving, hands-on learning environments, and we hold all campers to a high standard of respect — for instructors, fellow campers, equipment, and the kitchen itself. We expect campers to listen carefully, follow directions, participate cooperatively, and adhere to kitchen safety rules at all times. 

 

When a camper is struggling behaviorally, our staff will redirect once, clearly and calmly. If the behavior continues, we will separate the child from the group and contact a parent or guardian for pickup. Repeated behavioral issues may result in dismissal from camp without refund. 

 

All incidents are documented. We share these expectations not to be discouraging — the vast majority of campers thrive here — but because the safety and enjoyment of every child in the room depends on everyone showing up ready to participate. 

 

If you have any questions about whether this program is the right fit for your child, we warmly encourage you to reach out to us before registering at admin@nellstable.com.