Free class explains means of making food in the wild

Cooking connoisseurs interested in learning how to put their skills to good use outdoors will have the chance to do so Saturday.

At 6 p.m., a free class called creative camp cooking will be held beside the Assembly Shelter at Mistletoe State Park.

"It's a hands-on demonstration, where people have an opportunity to learn about a variety of cooking ways," said Ron Schoeffler, a volunteer through the retired and senior volunteer program of the senior citizen council. "It's just to show that you can eat well outdoors through different ways of preparing food."

Schoeffler said participants in the class will learn how to bake biscuits in a cardboard box, cook an egg on a skewer, make an omelet in a bag, fry hamburgers on a rock, bake fish in a newspaper, bake a potato in mud and more.

"It's pretty sanitary," he said, adding that those who attend the class will get to taste free samples of food. "Folks are impressed with it, and many develop a hearty interest in outdoor cooking by the time they leave.

"It's an impression they'll remember because many people haven't been exposed to these various types of cooking before."

Although participants are not required to bring materials to the class, Schoeffer suggests they bring a note pad, pen or pencil to take notes.

"It's something that's fun for the participants and spectators alike."