Food Explorers Summer Camp | Little Eaters & Talkers

🏕️ Food Explorers Summer Camp — June 8–11, 2026 · Bellaire, TX · Registration is now closed

Registration Closed · Summer 2026

Food Explorers Summer Camp

Therapeutic Feeding Program for Picky Eaters

A 4-day, hands-on program helping children ages 3–6 explore, taste, and grow confidence with food — through sensory play, peer connection, and zero pressure. Led by a pediatric feeding specialist.

📅 June 8–11, 2026
⏰ 3:30–5:00 PM
📍 Bellaire, TX
👶 Ages 3–6
Contact Us for Future Programs Learn More
🎉 Registration Status
Registration Closed
All spots are filled · See you next time!
Program Format
4 Days · 90 Min/Day
Mon–Thu drop-off · Small group · 15 spots max
Color Theme Days
Each day explores a new color, food group, and theme
Led by
Jean Hawney, M.A. CCC-SLP
Feeding Specialist & Speech-Language Pathologist · 12+ years
Is This Right for Your Child?

This camp was built for families like yours.

If any of these sound familiar, keep an eye out for our next program.

Child at the table exploring food with a therapist

Jean's Approach

"If you've ever been told your child is just picky — but something in your gut says it's more than that — you're probably right."

— Jean Hawney, M.A. CCC-SLP

🍽️
The "5 Foods" Kid
Your child eats the same 5 foods and refuses everything else — even at birthday parties.
😬
Gagging or Refusing at the Table
New textures, smells, or colors trigger immediate rejection — sometimes before they've even tasted it.
🧠
Sensory Sensitivity
Food isn't just about flavor for your child. The feel, smell, look, and temperature all matter — a lot.
😤
Mealtime Battles
Dinnertime has become a negotiation. You've tried everything and nothing seems to move the needle.
👂
Told to "Just Wait"
Your pediatrician said they'll grow out of it. But something in your gut says it's more than that. You're probably right.
🤝
Ready for a Safe First Step
Your child isn't in feeding therapy yet, but you want expert-guided support before it gets harder.
4-Day Program

Each day is a new adventure.

We follow a color theme every day — exploring new foods, textures, and flavors through sensory play and peer connection.

🍓
Monday · Day 1
Red Day
Strawberries, tomatoes, red peppers. We touch, smell, and explore — no pressure to taste.
🍌
Tuesday · Day 2
Yellow Day
Bananas, corn, pineapple. Play-based cooking activities and group food exploration.
🥦
Wednesday · Day 3
Green Day
Broccoli, cucumber, avocado. Movement and motor activities that build oral confidence.
🍇
Thursday · Day 4
Purple Day
Grapes, blueberries, eggplant. Celebration day — tasting what we've explored all week.
What Happens at Camp

Built the way a real feeding session works.

Every activity follows the SOS (Steps to Oral Sensory) approach — starting where your child is, not where you want them to be.

Your child will… Hands-on, play-based activities

🫁
Sensory Food Play
Touch, smell, and explore foods safely — before a single bite is expected.
🍳
Cooking & Food Exploration
Hands-on food preparation every session — kids who make food are more likely to try it.
🏃
Movement + Motor Activities
Fun activities that build the oral motor skills behind chewing and swallowing confidence.
👅
Hands-On Food Tasting
Tasting happens at the child's pace — never forced, always celebrated.
👫
Peer Social Play
Kids learn by watching other kids explore. Peer modeling is one of the most powerful tools in feeding therapy.

Parents receive… Tools you'll actually use at home

💻
Online Feeding Course Access
Complete before camp starts — real strategies, not a generic pamphlet.
📖
Recipes & Meal Ideas
Practical tools you can use at the dinner table starting this week.
💡
Take-Home Tips & Strategies
Daily guidance after each session so you know exactly how to follow through at home.
📊
Pre + Post Progress Survey
We track what changes — not just anecdotally, but with real data tied to a feeding research project.
🔬
Research-Backed Program
This camp contributes to a graduate research project on pediatric feeding outcomes.
No Pressure. Ever.

Why this approach actually works.

Most picky eating isn't stubbornness — it's sensory. And sensory kids don't respond to pressure. They respond to safety, repetition, and connection.

🎯
SOS Approach
We follow the Steps to Oral Sensory framework — a clinically proven method that meets children exactly where they are.
👥
Small Group Magic
15 kids max. When a child sees a peer touch a strawberry, something shifts. Peer modeling in group settings is powerful — and underused.
🏕️
Camp, Not Clinic
Lower stakes than therapy. Higher impact than "just keep offering." A bridge between home and clinical support.
📈
Measured Progress
We don't just say it worked — we measure it. Pre and post surveys track what changed for your child and your family.
Jean Hawney, SLP & Feeding Specialist
12+ Years
Pediatric Feeding & SLP
Meet Your Camp Leader

Hi, I'm Jean — and I created this camp because I know what actually works.

I've been sitting across from picky eaters — and their exhausted parents — for over 12 years. And one thing I kept thinking was: what if we took this outside of the one-on-one setting? What if kids could do this together?

The Food Explorers Camp is built on the same approach I use in my clinic every day. Slow, safe, sensory-based. No pressure. And the magic of peer modeling that only happens in a group setting.

You know your child best. I just want to give your family the tools.

  • M.A., CCC-SLP — Certified Speech-Language Pathologist
  • Feeding Specialist — 12+ years in pediatric feeding therapy
  • Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
  • Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)
  • Specialized training in Tethered Oral Tissues & Swallow Studies
  • Featured in HTown Best — Best Speech Therapists in Houston
🏕️
Summer 2026

Registration is now closed.

We've reached full capacity for the Food Explorers Summer Camp 2026. Thank you to every family who registered — we are so excited for June 8!

Interested in future programs?

Follow us on Instagram or reach out by email to be the first to know when we announce our next camp or group program.

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Email Us

[email protected]  ·  (832) 304-3506

Questions Answered

Frequently asked questions.

Who is this camp for?
This camp is designed for children ages 3–6 who are picky eaters, have sensory sensitivity around food, gag or refuse at mealtimes, or are stuck on a very short list of "safe" foods. It is a therapeutic group program, not a traditional summer camp.
Do I stay with my child during camp?
No — this is a drop-off program, running 3:30–5:00 PM Monday through Thursday. Parents complete an online feeding course before camp begins and receive daily take-home tips after each session.
Is this the same as feeding therapy?
It is not a replacement for individual feeding therapy, but it uses the same clinical framework (SOS approach) in a small group setting. Many families use this as a first step before committing to 1:1 therapy, or as a complement to ongoing sessions.
Will my child be forced to eat?
Absolutely not. The research is clear — pressure at the table makes picky eating worse. This camp is a pressure-free zone. Children explore at their own pace, and tasting is always optional.
Where exactly is the camp located?
The camp is held at 6300 West Loop South, 6th Floor Conference Room, Bellaire, TX 77401.
Will you run this camp again?
We hope so! Follow us on Instagram @littleeaters_talkers or reach out to [email protected] to be added to the interest list for future programs.
I already registered — who do I contact?
Please reach out to us at [email protected] or call/text (832) 304-3506 and we'll help you right away.

Want to stay in the loop?

Follow us on Instagram and be the first to know about future camps and programs from Little Eaters & Talkers.

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🏕️ 15/15 spots filled · June 8–11, 2026 · Bellaire, TX