Look what's cookin' Published March 15, 2007 By Valerie Mullett 341st Space Wing Public Affairs MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Start with a tray containing all the necessary ingredients. Add in the needed utensils. Then mix them all with six energetic children and you have the recipe for a 4-H cooking class at the Youth Center. That's what took place March 7 when the children tried their hands at making Native American Slapjacks. Each child took their turn adding an ingredient and mixing them together. Sometimes the bowl was passed so everyone got "20 turns" with the whisk while the others counted out in unison. Once all the ingredients were added and combined, Ms. Marjorie took the children two at a time back to the kitchen to watch her cook the slapjacks. Then it was time to eat. The event provided a lesson in teamwork as well as a lesson in life. "4-H is a valuable program because it teaches our youth life skills they will use throughout their lives," said Cindy Berg, Youth Program Center director. The Air Force started partnering with 4-H in 1999, according to Ms. Berg. Malmstrom has offered the program since 2003. Held each Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. through the end of May, the cooking classes are open to children ages 5 to 18 who are members of the Youth Center. There is no fee to participate and advanced registration is not required, but "if parents could give us a heads up so we can accommodate the extra children, we would appreciate it," Ms. Berg said. Sewing classes are also offered on Thursdays and the monthly meeting is usually held on the first Friday of each month at 6 p.m. at the center. "As a former 4-H'er, I can definitely say that if it weren't for the 4-H, I would not have had as many great life experiences," Ms. Berg said. "4-H has made me who I am."