Once inside and seated at our tables, one of the camp counselors would speak and then there would be a moment of silence. Then each table designated a hopper. The hopper was responsible for getting the food for each table. The hopper would retrieve the family style servings and bring them to the table. The campers would pass the food around the table for everyone to get their share. If you happened to be the one to empty the bowl or pitcher, you had to refill it, i.e., "You kill it, you fill it".
Camp McDowell promotes a zero food waste environment and they are very serious about it! The leftovers were weighed after each meal and a food waste update was given at the next meal. To get a star on Camp McDowell's Waste Wall of Fame the total food waste of the entire group must be very low. I can't remember the specific number but I think it was less than 5%. HPES dropped their percentage from 11% to 4% in 2 days, which was quite an achievement!
After each meal the campers were responsible for clearing and cleaning their own tables. There was a system to this. First, all of the big platters/bowls/pitchers would be taken by the hopper to the kitchen window. All the the leftovers were to be put on one plate. The campers then would stack the plates with the plate with leftovers to be put on top. The drink cups were done the same way, except one cup would be used for the forks and spoons. The hopper would get a big dish bin and everyone would help fill it, keeping plates together, cups together, utensils together, and napkins together. Everything would be organized neatly in the bin. The hopper would then take the bin to a big cart. Once all of the bins were taken, the hopper would get a wash cloth for their table. The campers would clean their area on the table. This system worked like clockwork once the campers got the hang of it. A simple meal was turned into a lesson of conservation and teamwork!
Once the meal was finished the Food Waste Warriors would make their appearance.
The Food Waste Warriors was a band made up of three guy counselors.
They would sing, dance, and play the guitar. They sang songs and did skits about food waste.
We all loved the Food Waste Warriors!!
They could definitely make our campers happy!!
This picture of Reid was taken during a skit
some of the students did with the Food Waste Warriors.
It makes me smile each time I see it!
Here's a picture taken during one of the Food Waste Updates
given by the Food Waste Warriors.
Here's a great video of a Food Waste Warrior performance
(one of the band members is missing)
.JPG)
