Recognition Reception

The annual Recognition Reception will be held November 7, 2024 at Mount Vernon Middle School, beginning at 6:30pm. We ask that you bring a dessert to share, plates, napkins, plasticware and water will be provided.

We will be celebrating still project award winners, graduating Cloverbuds, and specialty awards. This is a special night, but please dress causally. We also know that school conferences will be going on that night and understand if you need to arrive late or leave early.

Please contact the Extension office with questions by calling 740-397-0401 or emailing Lindsey, vangundy.44@osu.edu. Just a reminder: office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.

Fall recognition 2024

2024 Cloverbud Day Camp

Cloverbud Day Camp Registration is now open! Camper fees are $25 and should be paid to the Extension office no later than June 1. A health form will be sent out after registration is completed. We are limiting day camp numbers this year to 25 campers. Campers will be added to a waitlist after the quota is met. Payment must be received to hold a spot for your camper!

This will be the first year  we are going to 4-H Camp Ohio for Day Camp! Campers should dress for the weather that day! We will be doing a variety of nature, recreation, crafts, and snack sessions during the day. Please bring a labeled water bottle, packed lunch, swimsuit, towel and good attitude! Campers should also wear closed toe shoes (not crocs) for the majority of the day. They are permitted to wear water shoes,  crocs, or strap on sandals for creeking and pool activities. Flip flops are not permitted. Sunscreen and/or bug spray are encouraged!

Link to register: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bjfvk9XbfqCYZsG

 

Legos at the Library Open House Dec 6

Partnering with the library, we will be hosting an informational meeting about the programs available through 4-H and the library for little Lego builders! Programs include Cloverbud Engineering Adventure, the Cloverbud state-wide showcase, and getting involved with the brick building group at the Mt Vernon public library. We encourage youth in grades K-5 to attend with and emphasis on Cloverbuds (grades K-2).

Cloverbud Calendar Fall-Winter 2023

Colorful Cute Music Themed Calendar of Events Flyer (1)

 

We are in need of some volunteers to lend a hand with the upcoming Cloverbud Activities. Older youth (grades 7 and up) are welcome to volunteer! This is an great way to add some leadership or community service experiences in their project books for 2024! Future Camp Counselors looking for hours are encouraged to reach out!  Activities will already be planned and prior experience isn’t needed: we will need hands to help run the activities. Each event will  need 4-6 volunteers. These events are open to any Cloverbud age child, prior 4-H membership isn’t required.

Oct 25 – Trunk-or-Treat : pass out treats/candy, assist with archery equipment, range safety, costumes are a plus!

Nov 11 – Veteran’s Day : seeking veterans to assist in round- robin type activities: flag folding, pledge, reading books, making thank you cards, etc.

Dec 14 – Winter Weather : emergency survival, snowflakes, weather, winter treats, etc.

 

Please contact Lindsey (vangundy.44@osu.edu) for more information, or to confirm for an event.

Fall Fun with Cloverbuds

Autumn is here! Temperatures are getting cooler and days are getting shorter. Fall is a favorite of many families. There are so many things to enjoy about the fall, but what happens when chilly and rainy days upset your plans for a sun-filled perfect autumn day? Most of the following activities can be done inside, with warm dry clothes, still creating seasonal memories with your Cloverbuds.

Rainy Weather? Go out Anyway! In his 1973 book, “Coast to Coast”, Alfred Wainwright wrote “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” Sometimes, rainy days make the best days outdoors. Popular outdoor areas, like pumpkin patches, the zoo, and the parks see a reduced attendance rate on less than picture perfect days, so you’ll have smaller crowds. Places like the zoo or aquarium have interspersed buildings that can provide a quick place to duck in if the weather is especially blustery. If you’re looking for an inexpensive outdoor experience, local metro parks or your own backyard are the perfect solution. Take your Cloverbuds (be sure to tell parents in advance so they can dress their Cloverbud for the weather) on a wet weather scavenger hunt for the biggest and smallest puddle, see who can create the biggest splash, find animals tracks in the mud, or make leaf boats to float. A bonus of parks and trails is gathering fallen leaves or materials to use to make art but be sure to leave the wildflowers for others to enjoy. (Know and follow your local park guidelines. Some have policies that state the only thing you should take is pictures.) So be prepared for a little rain and a little mud. Pack that extra change of clothing, strap on those rainboots, grab the raincoat, and enjoy the wet weather!

Looking for indoor activities to use with your Cloverbuds this fall? If you have leaves available in your backyard (or collected after a hike), use them to make some amazing works of art. Leaves can be used to make a nature art frame, or used outside for games and activities. Fall wildflowers such as ironweed and goldenrod make beautiful backgrounds for your frame too.

Thinking ahead to upcoming holidays, floral arrangements or wreaths make excellent indoor activities. Using materials from the discount store and hot glue, fun fall decorations can be made with budget friendly materials. Cut the center out of a paper plate and glue leaves and pinecones around the edges for a fall look or go spooky with tissue ghosts and black construction paper handprints.

Homemade play dough never goes out of style and can be used more than once if it is stored properly. Check your spice cabinet and add cinnamon, pumpkin or apple pie spice, or nutmeg to create a fragrant hands-on fall theme play day! Be sure to tell Cloverbuds not to eat the homemade play dough.

Carve pumpkins and use the seeds to make a salty snack or dye them and use for counting, making patterns, color sorting or creating seasonal art! Learn how to dye the harvested seeds and find a list of STEAM seed activities here.

Don’t forget to check out the Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch in a few weeks to register those apple crunches for Ohio which helps celebrate October as Farm to School month. Every tasty bite counts!

Resources:

childsplayabc.wordpress.com/2021/06/06/leaf-boats-and-rafts/

honeyandlime.co/fall-leaves-wreath-craft-for-kids/

munchkinfunathome.com/arts/playdough

messylittlemonster.com/2020/10/how-to-dye-pumpkin-seeds.html

 

Written by Lindsey Van Gundy

Don’t forget to check out the 4-H Cloverbud Connections: https://u.osu.edu/cloverbudconnections/ 

Booth Building 2023- Updated

All clubs are able to sign up for a booth space this year! We encourage all clubs to reserve a space! This is how members will display their exhibits for still projects.  Let’s make our booth building an exciting place to visit! We need full booths, interesting exhibits and displays, and most important, welcoming 4-H members on patrol.

UPDATE: Clubs will not be needed for Sunday, July 16. Booth set-up night is Wednesday, July 19 from 3:00-8:00pm. During the construction time on July 19th, clubs wanting their own booths may allow members may check in projects. They must check in projects with Lindsey during that time. Clubs with booths are responsible for filling 4 hours of “booth patrol” during the week of fair. That sign-up is also below.

In order to receive the premium for a still project, it must be displayed in the booth building the entire week of fair. Still projects may be checked in Friday July 21 from 4:00-8:00pm or Saturday July 22 from 8:00am-12:00pm. No late arrivals will be accepted. **Remember: a project book is NOT an exhibit.** Cloverbuds will also have a specific booth to display any projects during the week.

 

Club Booth sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AACAB28A7FCCF8-2023

 

Booth Patrol Sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AACAB28A7FCCF8-booth

 

Updates and Info 4/26/23

Just a reminder for 4-H families:
 
The TSC paper clover spring fundraiser starts today! 90% of the money raised stays in our county and goes toward CAMP and LEADERSHIP activities for the 4-H youth. Spring Paper Clovers: 4/26/23 — 5/7/23
 
4/29/23 Cloverbud Saturday: Dress for the weather! We will be outside in nature for the majority of the program. **Still looking for some volunteers to help out!** We have several nature activities planned including a listening walk, book, leaf art and STEM activity.
Shooting Sports Range Days: We are changing the date from May 14 to MAY 7 so we avoid Mother’s Day. The range day will be held at Campbell’s Sportsman’s Club from 4:00-6:00pm that day. Please use the link to let up know if you will be attending the range day on May 7, May 28, or June 11 so we can prepare materials and supplies.  https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3k2dhqUIbs47jjo

Updates to the 4-H Calendar – March 2023

There have been some updates to the tentative schedule. Please use the PDF file to update your clubs/families or direct them to the calendar on this blog.

Highlights:

  • The April 5th Cloverbud activity is now April 11 @ 5:00pm.
  • The county wide shooting events will be held at Campbell’s Sportsman’s Club in Howard.
  • Dog show schedule has been set. Looking to get updated paperwork out ASAP!
  • 4-H Camp: Counselors will move June 5 and campers will move in June 6 around 9 am.

2023 4-H Calendar – Tentative

As always, this is a tentative schedule and is subject to change. We will do our best to update this as soon as we know to keep everyone on the same page. Please contact the extension office with questions!

 

 

Cloverbud Advisor Training

Lindsey is holding two Cloverbud Advisor Trainings for those that are interested.  The first one will be this Thursday, March 2 from 5-6 p.m. and the second one will be Tuesday, March 14 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.  Both will be held at the Ramser 4-H Activity Center in the long room downstairs.