RUMFORD — Second-grader Savannah Parent had never eaten couscous before, but she discovered she really liked it, particularly with cut up mangoes, raisins and a little sugar.

Couscous was one food most children in the Summer Adventure Program at Rumford Elementary School got to try. The mangoes were another.

Elementary-age children got to try foods eaten by Africans, along with learning about and making bead art and masks.

Isaiah Doherty, a fifth-grader, said he has thoroughly enjoyed attending the Summer Adventure Program, which started on July 10 and runs through Aug. 3.

“I like the people and the fun,” he said.

Sixth-grader Dillon McPherson has also been attending since the beginning.

“We do something different every day,” he said.

On Tuesday, along with trying new foods, youngsters were making African-styled masks, then transformed themselves into The Beck Heads and danced. The Beck Heads was a name taken from their mask instructor, Rebecca Skibitsky.

Program participants also learned about nutritionally balanced meals.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension educator Kate Chiasson said a healthy plate contains one-half fruits and vegetables, and one-quarter each grains and protein.

“Here, it might be a hamburger and bun, lettuce and tomato, watermelon, and maybe cheese and milk. In Africa it might be couscous, mangoes and goat,” she said. “Everybody eats the same plate, but it may look a little different.”

On a previous international food Tuesday, youngsters learned about and ate Mexican food, and on July 31, they will sample Italian foods.

Other activities have included or will provide trips to the pool at Black Mountain, a visit from an insect expert, field trips to a local farm, a library and to Mt. Blue State Park.

Anyone interested in attending during the last week of the program may contact Barb Radmore, director of the Western Foothills Kids Association, at 357-6987. Cost is $15 for a full day of activities as well as breakfast and lunch for the first child in a family. Each sibling pays an additional $5 per day.