The primary goal of the Kentucky 4-H Clover Bud program is to promote children’s healthy development – mentally, physically, socially and emotionally.  Simpson County has had a 4-H Clover Bud Club for fifteen years.  Parents attend club meetings with the Clover Buds, where members get an excellent hands-on introduction to what 4-H offers youth.  Leaders plan the monthly club programs around a different 4-H program each month.  At the end of each school year, Clover Bud families can attend the West KY 4-H Clover Bud Camp that began in 2009.

The West KY 4-H Clover Bud Camp and its team of agent coordinators, work hard to provide an excellent opportunity for children ages 5-8 and their families.  They develop positive attitudes about learning new things by hands-on involvement, developing a deeper relationship with a caring adult, and learning about the 4-H Youth Development Program in Kentucky, specifically 4-H Camp.  In 2018 the 4-H agent planning committee implemented the 10^th consecutive West KY 4-H Clover Bud Camp.  Over 100 Clover Buds and parents attended, with 15 counties represented.  The camp evaluation revealed that 95% of the attendees rated their overall experience as exceeding their expectations.  

Clover Bud campers took many of the same classes that our summer camps offer 4-H age youth: fishing, canoeing, rocketry, nature, outdoor living, crafts, and recreation.  The participants favorite parts of camp were meeting new friends, interacting with each other, having the opportunity to try new things in a safe environment, and getting to interact with camp staff.  The mission of the Kentucky 4-H Camping program is to improve the lives of people through intentional life skill development.  The West KY 4-H Clover Bud Camp and the 4-H Camping Program exhibited a high quality collaboration effort in building life skills and creating lasting memories.