Summer is almost here! For many of us, that means long days in the sun, barbeques, and maybe even a fun trip or two. For our kids, summer is a different story. Many of the young men and women in our care haven’t ever been outside the city. That’s why we work extra hard to make summer memorable for our kids. Summer camp is much more than a vacation – it’s an opportunity to learn, grow, explore, and experience the healing power of nature.

In honor of  Mercy Home’s continued commitment to sending our boys and girls to summer camp, our coworker Nyah will teach you how to make three tasty camp creations: S’mores Granola Bars, Fire-Roasted Salmon with Veggies, and Campy, Cheesy Ham and Pineapple Sandwiches.

These snacks are perfect to munch on after a day spent hiking and canoeing, and they’re very simple to make, too! Whether you’re looking for a fun summer meal or are prepping for a camping trip yourself, these outdoor treats are sure to make your mouth water.

Check out the recipes below and let us know which was your favorite in the comments!

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S’mores Granola Bars

What You’ll Need:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup Nutella spread
• 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup mini marshmallows

What You’ll Do:

1. Melt the butter and honey in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir in the Nutella and mix together until melted.
3. Remove the mixture from heat and add the oats.
4. Stir together until the oats are completely covered.
5. Let sit for 5 minutes before adding the chocolate chips and mini marshmallows.
6. Pour the mixture into a greased 8×8 baking dish. You can add more marshmallows and chocolate chips on top here if you’d like!
7. Place a piece of wax paper on top of the mixture and press down firmly so that everything stays together.
8. Let the mix cool completely before cutting into bars.
9. Enjoy right away or store them in a sealed container for later!

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Fire-Roasted Salmon & Veggies

What You’ll Need:

• 1 filet of salmon
• 1 bell pepper (cut into pieces)
• 3 potatoes (cut into quarters)
• 1/2 onion (chopped)
• A fresh lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Old Bay seasoning
• Parsley

What You’ll Do:

1. Assemble the veggies first on top of a sheet of foil. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Lay the salmon on top of the veggies.
3. Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning over the top, to taste. Add some more salt and pepper.
4. Cut the lemon in half. Squeeze one half over the salmon and veggies, then cut the other half of the lemon into slices and lay on top.
5. Add a bit of parsley on top.
6. Close everything in foil and cook on a rack over the campfire for 25-30 minutes.
7. Let cool a bit before enjoying!

Campy, Cheesy Ham and Pineapple Sliders

What You’ll Need:

• Potato buns
• Sliced deli ham
• A pineapple, or pineapple rings
• Cheddar cheese slices
• Dijon mustard

What You’ll Do:

1. Assemble your slider on a large piece of foil.
2. Spread the Dijon mustard on both pieces of the bun, then stack 3 slices of deli ham, 2 slices of cheese, and some pineapple in between the slices.
3. Wrap the sandwich completely in foil.
4. Place on a rack over the campfire for about 20 mins.
5. Let cool for a bit before enjoying!

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Special thanks to our Manager of Food Service Operations, Nyah Griffin, who is also a former resident of Mercy Home for cooking up these amazing camp snacks! Please consider making summer memorable for our boys and girls by making a donation.