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Cloverbuds
What are Cloverbuds?
Cloverbuds are youth ages 5 AND in kindergarten until they’re old enough to join the competitive, project-based 4-H program when they’re 8 AND in 3rd grade.
Cloverbuds learn about 4-H and begin to discover their interests, aptitudes, and abilities as they develop self-esteem, enhance their social interaction skills, learn to make decisions, and have FUN! Cloverbuds programming is non-competitive, activity-based, and adult-directed.
Cloverbuds do NOT work with large animals or exhibit animal or other projects at the Fair. They do, however, have opportunities to participate in Cloverbud Sharing at the Fair, a time set aside for Cloverbuds to discuss their experiences with Junior Fair Board members and display their activities for parents and other fair visitors to see. Other countywide Cloverbud activities include the annual Cloverbud Kick Off in January and the one-day Cloverbud Day Camp, held in June or early July.
Cloverbuds are led by screened and trained adult volunteers with an interest in encouraging younger members to grow and develop through 4-H. Many of the county’s 4-H clubs offer a Cloverbud component, and there is one club in the county that is simply a Cloverbud 4-H Club. For more information on enrolling a Cloverbud, starting a Cloverbud component as part of your local 4-H Club, or starting a dedicated Cloverbud 4-H Club in your area, contact Carolyn Belczyk.
Cloverbud Kits
Four Cloverbud learning kits are available at OSU Extension Shelby County. These can be signed out for use by Cloverbud advisors and are great meeting resources.
The kit topics include “Food Fun,” The Science of Sound,” “Our Country,” and “Fitness is Fun.” Each kit comes with lesson plans and activity sheets, supplies, and equipment for one or more meetings that are fun, interactive, and educational.
Cloverbud advisors may reserve a kit by calling OSU Extension in Shelby County. Kits may be signed out for no more than a week at a time. Feel free to make copies of the activity sheets as needed, and return the kits in the same condition that you received them.
For more information on Cloverbuds, call OSU Extension Shelby County at 498-7239 or email Carolyn Belczyk, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development.
