The Cloverbud 4-H Camp experience is a unique youth development program designed for youth 6-8 years old to experience 4-H Camp. The two-night residential camp is designed to allow younger youth to spend a night away from home and experience what 4-H Camp offers while sharing the experience with approved adults or parents. The camp focuses on engaging in cooperative, non-competitive learning experiences.  4-H Cloverbud members participate in learning activities that promote self-confidence, healthy lifestyles, social skills, and just plain having fun. The camp hosted 248 youth and 51 leaders from 14 counties.  Mercer County had 20 youth and six adult volunteer leaders attend Cloverbud Camp. The interactions offered in a residential camp/group living setting are meaningful to youth. The time we spend with youth in the camp setting provides opportunities for them to feel a sense of belonging, have meaningful conversations with caring adults, practice generosity and group decision-making, and experience new activities they typically do not have access to at home. They gain independence by taking on the responsibility of keeping track of their belongings and the camp schedule. Most youth attending 4-H Cloverbud Camp have never stayed overnight away from a parent; this was their first experience fostering independence. This experience can be a significant challenge for many youth at camp, and the adult and teen leaders do a tremendous job of keeping youth engaged and retaining their campers. In addition, Cloverbud Camp is a great way to introduce younger youth and their parents to 4-H Camp and introduce them to 4-H opportunities offered across the state. The vision of Kentucky 4-H Camping is to serve the citizens of Kentucky and beyond by providing a safe environment for experiential learning opportunities. The mission of Kentucky 4-H Camping is to improve people through intentional life skill development. This development will happen through collaboration with local, state, and national partners, research-based methods and programming, service-oriented practices, long-term strategic planning, and play. 

The camp leadership team was vital to the success of the camp. The team consisted of Dana Anderson, who served as 4-H Cloverbud Camp Program Director; Cathy Weaver, who served as Dean of Women; Eric Comley, who served as Dean of Men; Shannon Farrell, who served as Dining/Meal Supervisor; Staci Thrasher, who served as Hydration Specialist; Madison Adkins, who served as Backyard Games Supervisor; and Ashley Vice, who served as Pool Spotter Coordinator. In addition, we had Extension Interns teach the Foods class, Deanna Ashmore and 4-H volunteers teach the Tie Dye Class, Fleming County 4-H Volunteers teach the Lego Class, and 4-H Camp Staff teach the remaining camp classes. The youth went to ten different classes that gave youth insight as to what a 5-day summer 4-H Camp is like with the camp classes. Many youth had never experienced some of the classes, and their first time in a canoe or on the challenge course allowed them to try something new and create new personal interests.