Parents are often contacting the Extension Office looking for opportunities for children below the age of 9—many children ages 5-8 (4-H Cloverbuds) participate in the 4-H Cloverbuds Club or participate as Cloverbuds in other clubs with the goal of them becoming a regular member of 4-H at age 9. 

The 4-H Cloverbuds Club leader worked with the 4-H agent to develop meetings that are developmentally appropriate for youth ages 5-8. The Cloverbuds Club now has 20 members! In addition to the Cloverbuds Club, a teen leader that participated in 4-H Issues Conference, applied and was awarded an Issues Conference grant to address a need in the community. The teen and agent worked together to develop a day camp for Cloverbuds that allows them to learn about agriculture in a fun and cooperative way. The first annual Cloverbud Day Camp had 17 participants for two days of hands-on learning. 4-H Cloverbud Camp (residential), a multi-county effort, had 4 participants from Boone County, up from 1 in the previous year. The programs were focused on developing social skills, new life-skills, and an opportunity to learn hands-on outside of the traditional classroom that might spark an interest in something new. A main focus was on cooperative learning vs. in a competitive manner like many 4-H projects involve. Cooperative learning is defined as learning to get along with peers in a cooperative rather than competitive manner. This practice is based on research that highlights how cooperative learning produces higher achievement, competence, reasoning strategies and critical thinking, creativity, social skills, caring, self-esteem, and healthier psychological adjustment than competitive or individualistic learning (Fetsch & Yang, 2002; Johnson, 2003; Johnson & Johnson, 1989; Johnson, Maruyama, Johnson, Nelson, & Skon, 1981)

The Big Book of 4-H Cloverbud Activities-Life Skills and Learning for K-2 Youth curriculum from Ohio State University was utilized to develop lessons and activities for the 4-H Cloverbuds club and day camp. 

Parents were given the opportunity to complete a survey based on their child’s participation in the 4-H Cloverbuds program as a whole. The surveys showed that many cloverbuds enjoyed participating in new activities, making decisions for themselves, enjoying helping others, and enjoyed working with others in a group. 10 cloverbuds were able to set and accomplish goal through the cloverbuds program. 29 cloverbuds arw now able to make decisions for themselves and make new friends easily. One cloverbud said he would like to be able to join more clubs! When asked about Cloverbud Camp, one camper said, “I loved everything about it!” For the 4 Cloverbud Campers (residential 4-H camp), this was the first time they stayed away from their home for 3 days.