Kids' Culinary Academy
A page within Kids' Culinary Academy
Kids' Culinary Academy
The Crave Lab: Creative Cooking with Confidence
June 30–July 2, 2026
For students entering grades 6–8 in the Fall.
Kids Culinary Academy at-a-glance
- Dates: June 30–July 2, 2026
- Ages: Youth entering grades 6–8
- Location: UWL Student Union
- Theme: The Crave Lab: Creative Cooking with Confidence
- Format: Three days of hands-on kitchen instruction, practice, and culinary activities. The experience culminates in The Crave Lab Showcase, where youth prepare and present a meal for family and friends, highlighting the techniques and skills they’ve built.
Spots fill quickly for this in demand summer camp.
Register early to secure your spot.
Turn Snack Time Into Real Skills!
At Kids’ Culinary Academy summer camp, youth will learn how to create quick, delicious, and nutritious snacks they can make on their own. In The Crave Lab, participants will explore kitchen basics, experiment with flavors, and gain confidence preparing simple foods that fuel their day.
Guided by experienced chefs and UWL staff, participants will learn practical skills that help them become more independent in the kitchen—safely, creatively, and confidently.
Throughout this three-day, hands-on experience, young chefs will:
| Registration type | Register by April 30, 2026 | Register May 1, 2026 or after |
| Youth Participant | $319 | $345 |
| Crave Lab Showcase extra adult guest ticket | $15 | $15 |
| Crave Lab Showcase youth guest ticket (17 and under) | $6 | $6 |
Registration includes: completion certificate, apron, chef hat, lunches, snacks, and one Adult Guest Crave Lab Showcase Ticket.
Youth Participant Cancellation Policy: Substitutions are welcome. Full refund less $30 processing fee two weeks prior to event, no refunds thereafter. Substitutions must be submitted in writing to ex@uwlax.edu.
Crave Lab Showcase Ticket Cancellation Policy: Registration is final. Substitutions are welcome. Substitutions must be submitted in writing to ex@uwlax.edu.
Privacy Policy: Registration implies permission for photos, publicity and inclusion in a participant list, unless UWL Graduate & Extended Learning is notified in writing prior to the program at ex@uwlax.edu.
Youth Health Form:
Required for participation
To ensure the health and safety of all children, each child must submit a health form prior to the event.
- Health forms are available online
- Submit your student's form at least 2 weeks prior to the event start date
- Students who do not submit a form will not be allowed to participate
Kids’ Culinary Academy is 3-days of hands-on culinary instruction and practice in a professional kitchen.
What to bring
- Water bottle
- Comfortable, close-toed shoes
- A hair tie or clip if needed
- Hat (optional)
Learning through connection
UWL Graduate & Extended Learning's goal for participants is to experience the full benefits of being present and engaged at Kids' Culinary. Our vision is to create real-world connections and build a sense of community that extends outside the program. We recognize the positive impact of social connection in adolescence through its capacity to promote wellbeing and protect against a range of risks. We design youth programs as screen-free environments that prioritize actively engaged, shared experiences as a central part of our mission.
Be Here
Expectations
Graduate & Extended Learning youth programs strive to create an environment that encourages empathy along with accountability. All staff, volunteers, and participants will commit to the following expectations:
- Respect the differences of participants, staff, and volunteers and will not discriminate against anyone else on the grounds of gender, race, sexual orientation, ability, or other identity
- Report any incidents of bullying, abusive language, and dangerous or unlawful behavior to adults or supervisors immediately
- Support and encourage all other program participants
- Follow the directions of program staff, directors, and volunteers
- Follow online safety and internet use policies and honor screen-free activities
- Lead with respect and act with integrity
Brandon Theisen
- Favorite thing to cook: Any type of Asian cuisine
- Favorite thing to eat: Risotto
- Culinary hero or person you admire: Anthony Bourdain
Michael Raymond
- Favorite thing to eat: any dessert or chips with dip
- Favorite thing to cook: I like to cook, and I am a caterer at heart so I love beautifully presented food
- Culinary hero: my grandmother
Mike Raymond is one of the Sous Chefs at UW-La Crosse. He has been in the food service business for over 30 years. Mike graduated from Saint Paul AVTI. He has worked in every facet of the industry including running a catering company, acting as director of catering for Viterbo University, managing kitchens for local restaurants, decorating cakes at a bakery and so much more. Mike loves the food business and learning and teaching new techniques to others. He considers food to be an art form and enjoys being creative and artistic in his cooking.
KJ Krzyzanowski
- Favorite thing to cook: Pizza from scratch
- Favorite thing to eat: Arepas, cheese curds, ice cream
- Culinary hero or person you admire: Manny from Manny’s Tortas in Minneapolis
KJ Krzyzanowski is the Youth Program Specialist in Graduate & Extended Learning and the self-appointed “Gordon Ramsay of GEL.” His background of over 15 years of direct-service youth work includes designing and leading programs that provide creative, fun, and inclusive ways for young people to learn about food. His programs always incorporate youth voice and creating a space where young people can share their own skills and knowledge. KJ’s projects with youth include building a Hot Sauce Garden from seed to bottle, weekly Cooking Club meals, a global cultures cooking club, and The Pizza Project. KJ’s philosophy is that young people grow into their best self by collaborating with positive adults and other youth in experiences that challenge and excite them. He also lives by the saying “If you bring food, they will come.”
Summer youth program scholarships
Youth scholarships help make Graduate & Extended Learning summer programs accessible to more students by reducing financial barriers and opening the door to meaningful learning experiences.
Who are scholarships for?
Scholarships are available for students who may need financial assistance to make participation in summer youth programs possible.
How do I apply for a summer youth scholarship?
Complete the online application and include one of the following:
- Option 1: A letter from the student (maximum of 300 words) explaining why they want to attend the program and what they hope to gain from the experience.
- Option 2: A brief letter from a teacher, coach, supervisor, or mentor supporting the student's participation in the the program.
What happens after I submit the application?
- Check your email - scholarship decisions will be sent via email 5 business days after submission
- Scholarship recipients will be sent instructions on how to use the scholarship and register for their program
Reminders
- Apply early, funds are limited
- Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis
Questions?
Reach out to us at ex@uwlax.edu with any questions. We will do our best to work with you to address barriers to youth program participation.
Youth Health Form:
Required for participation
To ensure the health and safety of all children, each child must submit a health form prior to the event.
- Health forms are available online
- Submit your student's form at least 2 weeks prior to the event start date
- Students who do not submit a form will not be allowed to participate
Fostering youth development
Young people thrive when they’re given opportunities to discover their potential through experiences that challenge, inspire, and help them grow. UWL youth programs create supportive, skill-building environments where participants develop confidence, learn meaningful skills, and engage with peers and caring adults as valued members of their community.
How this benefits the Driftless Region
UWL youth programs strengthen the Driftless Region by helping young people build skills, form positive relationships, and develop a strong sense of purpose. Through intentional activities, youth connect with supportive adults, student mentors, and community leaders who encourage their growth. This sense of connectedness is essential to effective youth development—and central to UWL’s commitment to reflect and uplift the voices of the community it serves.
Ways to support UWL Graduate & Extended Learning Youth Programs
Support Graduate & Extended Learning Youth Programs
Location
Student Union, UW-La Crosse, 521 East Avenue N, La Crosse, WI 54601
UWL Student Union
| Activity | June 30–July 1 |
July 2 Times |
| Drop-Off | 8:30–9 a.m. | 8:30–9 a.m. |
| Pick-Up | 3 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. |
Did you pay to park?
A parking permit is required in all UWL lots.
Drop-off, each day
- From 8:45-9 a.m. each day complimentary parking is available for Kids' Culinary Academy student drop-off in Lot C-12.
- If you stay longer/arrive earlier, you must pay for parking.
- Parking can be paid using the Passport Parking app.
- The charge is $1/hour.
Pick-up, Tuesday, June 30-Wednesday, July 1 only
- From 2:45-3:15 p.m. complimentary parking is available for Kids' Culinary Academy student drop-off in Lot C-12.
- If you stay longer/arrive earlier, you must pay for parking.
- Parking can be paid using the Passport Parking app.
- The charge is $1/hour.
Pick-up, Thursday, July 2 - Crave Lab Showcase
- If you attend the Crave Lab Showcase, you must pay for parking
- Parking can be paid using the Passport Parking app.
- The charge is $1/hour.
- You will be prompted to enter the zone number that corresponds to the lot.
- The closest lots are: C-12, Ramp levels 1-3.
Morning meeting location
- Participants will meet each morning inside the Farwell Street entrance to the Student Union. Staff will be there to meet students and lead them to the program location.
Pick-up location
- Please meet your student for pick up by the loading zone in front of the Student Union on Farwell Street.
Kids' Culinary Academy pick-up safety policy
- Students will be released at the pick-up time only to the person(s) listed on their health form.
- Any pick-up deviating from this policy must be communicated to Graduate & Extended Learning 48 hours in advance.
- If unforeseen circumstances require your student to be picked-up early from Kids' Culinary Academy, you must contact Graduate & Extended Learning at 608.785.6500 to make arrangements.