Cloverbud program caters to youngest club members
By Lisa Amstutz
Anyone who has ever been to the county fair probably has some idea of what 4-H is all about—fun, hands-on learning experiences that promote youth development. Less well known is the fact that 4-H offers an option for children too young for the regular clubs, called Cloverbuds.
Children must be at least 5 by the first of the year and in kindergarten through second grade to participate in Cloverbuds. They can stay in the program until they are eligible for the regular club program in third grade, at age 8.
Because studies show that noncompetitive learning works best for younger children, the focus of the Cloverbud program differs slightly from that of the regular 4-H program, said 4-H youth development educator Sherry Nickles. Cloverbuds do not enroll in specific projects, but take part in group learning activities that serve as precursors to the 4-H projects they may choose when they are older. They are encouraged to display their projects at the fair and receive a premium and ribbon but do not compete. Cloverbuds is leader-directed, with trained adult and teen volunteers leading separate activities for the group during regular club meetings.
Not all clubs offer Cloverbuds, but over half of the area clubs do, Nickles said. Wayne County has about 1,700 4-H members and approximately 200 of those are Cloverbuds.
Another special opportunity for children enrolled in the Cloverbud program is Cloverbud camp, which will take place June 21-23 this year. Each morning of the day camp is filled with educational, craft, and recreational sessions. This year’s theme is Underwater Adventure. The camp usually fills up quickly and is capped at around 50 kids, said 4-H program assistant Mel Rehm, who oversees the event. More than 20 counselors, all teen 4-H members, help plan and direct the activities. A minimal fee helps to cover expenses.
Rehm noted that Cloverbud camp is an excellent way for both the Cloverbuds and the teen volunteers to experience camp without going away for a week. It also gives the younger children a preview of what 4-H camp will be like if they choose to attend when they are old enough.
“Cloverbud camp is not an agricultural or livestock focused program,” she said. “We try to make it as educational as possible, but keep it fun. We have a chance to teach 50 kids about the Oregon Trail or sea creatures or whatever the topic is. It’s amazing how much you can impact a little life within just a few hours. It’s going to be awesome this year—I’m very excited.”
The Cloverbud program is just one of several youth development programs offered by the OSU Extension. Their Character Education program promotes positive character traits on a monthly basis in the schools, and a Carteens program helps youth with traffic violations and accidents make safer choices in the future.
The most extensive program, however, is 4-H, where youth aged 8-18 can choose projects to work on and display at the fair. Members may also attend 4-H camp. Steven Heppe, 4-H program assistant, said that 4-H camp will be held at a new location this year--Camp Ohio in Utica. “The purpose of 4-H camp is to have a lot of fun, experience a trip away from home with their friends and develop leadership as they take on new challenges,” he said. “It’s an experience they’ll remember the rest of their lives.”
New members can join 4-H at any time, but must register by April 15 to be eligible to take projects to the fair. Call the OSU Extension office at 330-264-8722 or visit http://wayne.osu.edu/topics/4-h-youth-development for more information on the 4-H program and a listing of local clubs.
Anyone who has ever been to the county fair probably has some idea of what 4-H is all about—fun, hands-on learning experiences that promote youth development. Less well known is the fact that 4-H offers an option for children too young for the regular clubs, called Cloverbuds.
Children must be at least 5 by the first of the year and in kindergarten through second grade to participate in Cloverbuds. They can stay in the program until they are eligible for the regular club program in third grade, at age 8.
Because studies show that noncompetitive learning works best for younger children, the focus of the Cloverbud program differs slightly from that of the regular 4-H program, said 4-H youth development educator Sherry Nickles. Cloverbuds do not enroll in specific projects, but take part in group learning activities that serve as precursors to the 4-H projects they may choose when they are older. They are encouraged to display their projects at the fair and receive a premium and ribbon but do not compete. Cloverbuds is leader-directed, with trained adult and teen volunteers leading separate activities for the group during regular club meetings.
Not all clubs offer Cloverbuds, but over half of the area clubs do, Nickles said. Wayne County has about 1,700 4-H members and approximately 200 of those are Cloverbuds.
Another special opportunity for children enrolled in the Cloverbud program is Cloverbud camp, which will take place June 21-23 this year. Each morning of the day camp is filled with educational, craft, and recreational sessions. This year’s theme is Underwater Adventure. The camp usually fills up quickly and is capped at around 50 kids, said 4-H program assistant Mel Rehm, who oversees the event. More than 20 counselors, all teen 4-H members, help plan and direct the activities. A minimal fee helps to cover expenses.
Rehm noted that Cloverbud camp is an excellent way for both the Cloverbuds and the teen volunteers to experience camp without going away for a week. It also gives the younger children a preview of what 4-H camp will be like if they choose to attend when they are old enough.
“Cloverbud camp is not an agricultural or livestock focused program,” she said. “We try to make it as educational as possible, but keep it fun. We have a chance to teach 50 kids about the Oregon Trail or sea creatures or whatever the topic is. It’s amazing how much you can impact a little life within just a few hours. It’s going to be awesome this year—I’m very excited.”
The Cloverbud program is just one of several youth development programs offered by the OSU Extension. Their Character Education program promotes positive character traits on a monthly basis in the schools, and a Carteens program helps youth with traffic violations and accidents make safer choices in the future.
The most extensive program, however, is 4-H, where youth aged 8-18 can choose projects to work on and display at the fair. Members may also attend 4-H camp. Steven Heppe, 4-H program assistant, said that 4-H camp will be held at a new location this year--Camp Ohio in Utica. “The purpose of 4-H camp is to have a lot of fun, experience a trip away from home with their friends and develop leadership as they take on new challenges,” he said. “It’s an experience they’ll remember the rest of their lives.”
New members can join 4-H at any time, but must register by April 15 to be eligible to take projects to the fair. Call the OSU Extension office at 330-264-8722 or visit http://wayne.osu.edu/topics/4-h-youth-development for more information on the 4-H program and a listing of local clubs.
Published: March 18, 2011
