Gabe Stark
Reporter

A group of Trenton Middle School students turned their interest in sweets into a hands-on learning opportunity this school year, using an after-school baking club to try new recipes, build kitchen skills and discover the confidence that can come from creating something.

Bright Futures of Trenton helped make an after-school baking club possible for fifth- and sixth-graders, providing groceries and volunteers for the program.

The club began shortly before Christmas break after a group of sixth-graders approached Charley Crimi, the teacher sponsor for the club, about starting a cooking club. When Crimi asked what they wanted to make, the answer came quickly.

“Sweets,” the students said.

After receiving administrative approval, Crimi began putting together plans for a Baking Club. The program was offered through Career Ladder, a partially state-funded program that pays teachers for work done with students outside the classroom. However, the program did not include a budget for supplies, making outside support necessary.

Crimi reached out to Lynn Griffin with Bright Futures of Trenton for help. Bright Futures provided groceries for each session and recruited volunteers to assist students during the club meetings. The group met once a month after school for several hours.

“Bright Futures has always generously supported staff and students at Trenton R-IX,” Crimi said.

Crimi added Griffin had previously expressed interest in finding more ways for Bright Futures to be involved at the middle school, which made the baking club a natural opportunity.

The club was limited to fifth- and sixth- grade students because the idea came from sixth-graders and younger middle school students have fewer extracurricular options. Enrollment was limited to 10 students due to space, with eight or nine students consistently attending.

Lessons learned

Students helped choose the recipes prepared during the sessions. Projects included cream puffs, pineapple upside-down cake, chocolate-caramel trifle and apple pie.

While the desserts were the draw, Crimi said the purpose of the club reached far beyond baking. Students learned basic kitchen skills such as measuring, mixing and knife safety, but they also learned what it looks like when a community invests in its children.

“We had several goals beyond baking,” Crimi said. “I wanted the kids to learn some basic life skills for the kitchen. I also wanted them to see positive community role models and to understand that they are surrounded by people who are interested in their success.”

Because students were actively participating in hands-on kitchen work, Bright Futures volunteers provided important supervision and support. Those volunteers also shared advice, personal stories and encouragement while working alongside the students.

Crimi said that kind of involvement mattered.

“Students benefit from having adults in the community volunteer in their after-school programs because they learn that there are people who genuinely care about them and are willing to invest in their lives,” Crimi said.

The students responded positively to the experience and took pride in what they created. They were surprised by how easy some recipes were to make and were eager to share their work with school staff and their families. Although time constraints prevented the group from making enough desserts to send home, students will receive copies of the recipes they made, along with tips for future success.

One memorable moment came when students made cream puffs and were offered several filling options, including whipped cream, custard, ice cream and a savory crab filling. Some students who initially said they did not like crab tried it and discovered they enjoyed it.

For Crimi, moments like that showed the value of giving students a chance to try something new in a supportive setting.

Bright Futures

Crimi said the baking club would not have been possible without support from Bright Futures.

“There is no budget for the supplies, and, as you can imagine, you can’t very well bake without groceries,” she said.

Through the years, Bright Futures worked hard in the background, helping students and families in Trenton.

“This organization has done everything from providing food, clothing and even beds for our children to being reading buddies to helping teach kids to cook,” Crimi said. “They do it with no fanfare, just quiet, kind hearts.”

Bright Futures is an organization dedicated to supporting communities in efforts to become more resilient through development of community partnerships that align local resources to problem solve challenges impacting youth.