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A Sweet Way to Celebrate 4-H Youth and Their Success

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4-H volunteers are known for their creativity and dedication to encourage the growth of young people. As the 4-H year comes to a close, volunteers often look for unique and engaging ways to recognize the hard work and achievements of their members. One tasty and imaginative approach involves using popular candy bars and candies to celebrate member accomplishments. By associating specific candies with individual strengths, successes, and characteristics, these events create a fun and memorable recognition program that resonates with both youth and their families. This recognition program can be used with Cloverbuds and older 4-H members.

Here are some examples of how 4-H volunteers can compare youth achievements to different types of candy during a year-end recognition event. (Be sure to be aware of any food allergies or existing health conditions before presenting candy to club members.)

  • Milky Way Award: Shoot for the Stars
    This award is perfect for youth who have set ambitious goals and worked hard to achieve them. Just like the vastness of the Milky Way galaxy, these young achievers have reached for the stars, aiming high and hitting their mark in their 4-H achievements. These members have pushed their limits and soared to new heights.
  • PayDay Award: Hard Work Pays Off
    Recognizing youth who may not always be in the spotlight but work tirelessly behind the scenes, the PayDay Award symbolizes that their hard work has truly paid off. Just as PayDay candy bars are packed with peanuts—simple, but satisfying—these members have shown dedication, perseverance, and the understanding that effort yields rewards.
  • Starburst Award: Bright and Full of Energy
    This award goes to youth who light up the room and radiate positivity and enthusiasm in everything they do. Like the bright and bold flavors of Starburst candy, these members bring energy and joy to every event or activity. They are often the ones cheering on their peers, volunteering, or coming up with creative ideas to make the 4-H experience even better.
  • M&M Award: Team Player
    M&M stands for “Magnificent & Motivated,” and this award goes to members who are always willing to collaborate and support others. Just as M&M candies come in a variety of colors, these youth show diversity in their skills and work well with people of different backgrounds and interests and demonstrate the importance of teamwork and cooperation.
  • KitKat Award: Taking Breaks and Bouncing Back
    This award acknowledges youth who have faced challenges throughout the year but have learned the value of perseverance and taking time for self-care. Much like a KitKat bar encourages us to take a break, these youth have shown resilience. They may have stumbled along the way, but they always returned with renewed determination and a fresh perspective.
  • Hershey’s Hugs Award: Compassionate Leader
    This award is given to those youth who have gone above and beyond to show kindness, support, and encouragement to their fellow 4-H members. Just as Hershey’s Hugs are wrapped in sweetness, these members have embraced their peers with kindness, often stepping up as leaders who create a positive, welcoming environment for everyone.
  • Skittles Award: Bringing Color to the Group
    This award celebrates youth who bring creativity and individuality to the 4-H program. Just like the vibrant and diverse colors of Skittles, these young people have unique talents, ideas, and perspectives that make the group more dynamic and fun.
  • 3 Musketeers Award: Unwavering Support
    Named after the motto “all for one and one for all,” the 3 Musketeers Award is given to youth who have been reliable, dependable, and always willing to lend a hand. Like the classic candy bar, these members have a soft, supportive core and are there for their fellow 4-H members when they need help, encouragement, or a friend to lean on.

By using candy bars and candies to represent youth achievements, 4-H volunteers create a sweet, fun, and personalized way to recognize the efforts and successes of their members. These awards not only celebrate individual accomplishments but also highlight the qualities that make each member unique and valuable to their 4-H club. From teamwork to leadership, creativity to perseverance, these awards provide a lighthearted yet meaningful way to wrap up a year of growth, learning, and 4-H friendship.

Depending on the size of your club, maybe you want to group members together and present awards or you could have a special award for each member. What additional candies could you relate to your members? Hopefully these examples will get your tastebuds and creativity flowing!

 

The use of candy brands in this article is solely for the purpose of creative recognition and celebration of youth achievements. No affiliation with or endorsement by the manufacturers of these products is implied or intended.

Images from stock.adobe.com

Back to School in the Kitchen with Cloverbuds

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What a busy time of year as youth start back to school.  As schedules get busier with school events and activities, Cloverbud age youth can help in a variety of ways, especially in the kitchen.

Cloverbud age youth want to help.  For instance, you can pack lunches together.  Allow the youth to select a fruit or vegetable for their lunch.  When you are at the grocery, see if they can find a fruit or vegetable they have not tried.  Encourage them to help you make a snack.  Or do you have a garden so you can try a new recipe that includes some vegetables you grew?

Cloverbud age youth enjoy planning a menu, and possibly even making a meal.  When families ask youth to be part of the decision-making process, their self-esteem is higher since that gives youth a sense of accomplishment.

Cooking can help children develop those important math, language, art, fine motor development skills and more.  They are having fun while learning.  Children can also be creative in the kitchen when cooking.  Allow them to decorate a pizza for dinner or make kebabs. Give them the option what to put on the pizza and kebabs.

For a variety of healthy recipes, visit MyPlate.

A fun recipe in my house with a Cloverbud is kebabs.  My daughter loves to pick out what color peppers we are going to use, the tomatoes, mushrooms, meat, and more.  She loves to put the food items on the kebabs.  It can easily be changed or adapted to meet family needs and preferences.

Have fun with your Cloverbud age youth and try something new this fall!

 

All images are from stock.adobe.com.

Color Your Cloverbud World with a Kaleidoscope

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Finding an exciting activity for Cloverbuds they have not already done can be challenging. And it is important for Cloverbud activities to be fun and educational. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities are fun, and also engage Cloverbuds in learning about the world around them. One activity that combines education with fun is a handmade kaleidoscope. While it is a craft, it is also a science toy.

A kaleidoscope is a toy that has reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces are inside a tube. When the tube is rotated, light bouncing off the reflective surfaces creates changing patterns. The science lesson for this activity is discussing the reflection of light. You can share with your Cloverbuds that reflection consists of a light source and a surface. When the light travels through the tube it bounces off the reflective surface. The instructions for this fun science activity are simple and the supplies are easy to find.

You will need:

  • Empty potato chip can (one for each Cloverbud)
  • Aluminum foil
  • Hammer and nail
  • Clear glue
  • Color paper
  • Tissue paper
  • Clear contact paper
  • Glitter
  • Sequins
  • Markers

What to Do:

  1. Start with an empty, clean potato chip can (like Pringles).
  2. Roll a piece of aluminum foil and put it inside the can. Mark and cut off the excess. You may have to tack it down with glue.
  3. Cover the outside of the can with colored paper and secure it with tape. Decorate with markers, tape, and stickers.
  4. Have an adult use a hammer and nail to punch an eye hole in the sealed end (bottom) of the can.
  5. Using the clear glue, glue the sequins on the inside of the can lid. Then add glitter or additional embellishments.
  6. Use clear contact paper and add tissue and other embellishments to the sticky side.
  7. Cut the contact paper to fit the top of the can. You will put the lid over the contact paper, so make sure it fits.
  8. Put the lid on your kaleidoscope and head outside.

So, the next time you need a fun and educational activity for your Cloverbuds, try this STEM craft.

Photo Credit: Little Bins for Little Hands

Resources:

littlebinsforlittlehands.com/how-to-make-a-simple-kaleidoscope-for-kids/

Successful Summer with Cloverbuds

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Summer is such a fun time of year for our 4-H Cloverbud members, but it can be a very busy and stressful time. With all the rush to jump into summer and start working on 4-H activities, members may feel overwhelmed. Families also have a lot of changes in job schedules and childcare with the transition into summer. Here are a few ideas for 4-H volunteers to consider when helping Cloverbud members positively jump into a successful summer 4-H season.

First, make sure Cloverbuds have a specific time at each club meeting to work on Cloverbud projects and activities. Having enough 4-H volunteers in place to help teach and guide the members will help meetings go smoothly and give the Cloverbuds a calm environment to have fun while working on projects and being with friends. Utilize the 4-H Cloverbud Volunteer Guidebook to plan club meetings.

A fun way to help our Cloverbud members succeed in 4-H at this busy time of year is with a 4-H partner or mentor. Utilize teens in your 4-H club and partner them with a Cloverbud member to talk, share, learn, and have fun. Knowing that at each meeting there is a time just to work with an older member and ask questions will create routine and structure for your Cloverbuds.

It is very important to explain to the members about Cloverbud events offered in your county and spend time at the meetings reviewing those events. This will allow the Cloverbud members to learn about the events in a smaller learning environment. A great example is project “show & tell” or interview. Many county programs offer a “show & tell” or interview during the junior fair to give Cloverbud members the opportunity to interact with an adult.  This helps Cloverbud members start developing very important communication and interview skills. Remember Cloverbuds are not competing. These events should provide a learning environment to have fun and develop new skills.

Try to hold a meeting at a place where county 4-H Cloverbud events will be held during the summer. For example, many counties offer Cloverbud opportunities such as day camp or special Cloverbud fair events. One location idea could be the county fairgrounds. Check with your 4-H staff or Senior Fair Board to see if your 4-H club could reserve a spot to hold a meeting at the fairgrounds. Getting the members on the fairgrounds to explore the buildings will help ease nerves and allow them a quiet time before the hustle of the fair.  Show your Cloverbuds where activities are held, where to go in an emergency, and where projects are located during the fair so they will feel safe and comfortable. Another fun way for kids to learn about a location, like the fairgrounds, is through a fun game like a scavenger hunt.  Volunteers and Cloverbud members can work together to find clues while exploring the fairgrounds.

Develop a 4-H Cloverbud packet with a calendar of dates and events. This will help your 4-H Cloverbud families know what is offered and designed for Cloverbud members in your club and county. A printed handout with dates and information will help Cloverbud members and families feel more informed. Trying to find important information online can be stressful for families.

Hold a parent meeting to explain events specific to your county. Many counties offer several events for Cloverbuds such as camp, project show and tell, club events, daily fair events, pre-fair practice sessions, the opportunity to display a project during fair, and more! These can all be overwhelming to the parents too! Make sure parents know where to find information for Cloverbud opportunities such as camp and other county events. Many 4-H programs have information posted on their county’s Ohio State University Extension website as well as a 4-H App. Taking the time to meet with the parents and explain the Cloverbud opportunities will help the members have a better experience. If you have volunteers available, it might be helpful to have a volunteer meet with parents for a few minutes at each meeting while the Cloverbuds are working on their activities. We also must remember many of our 4-H families are new to 4-H and have never experienced the Cloverbud program.

These are just a few ideas to help 4-H club volunteers make the transition into the busy 4-H season a success for our youngest 4-H members. Offering a wide variety of learning opportunities will help Cloverbuds and their families know what to expect and enhance their 4-H experience. Always remember to reach out to your county’s Ohio State University Extension staff for additional help and resources.

 

Helping Cloverbuds Explore Nature with Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Resources

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The temperature outside is warming up, trees are greening, flowers are blooming – it must be spring! This is the perfect time to think about getting our Cloverbuds outside and exploring nature! At this age youth learn through exploration and direct experience. Our natural world is the perfect setting for this exploration and learning to take place.

You might ask yourself why it is important to expose young children to nature. A study done by experts at Stanford University looked at articles and studies about the benefits of environmental education. These studies show that environmental education improves knowledge in science, mathematics, reading and writing as well as 21st century skills like critical thinking, problem solving and communication. Environmental education also improves emotional and social skills like self-esteem.

Another article from the University of Florida Extension talks specifically about connecting youth to nature during early childhood. The article talks about benefits to physical health like increased likelihood for physical activity and improved gross motor skills. The article also talks about cognitive development. It says that exposure to nature can decrease stress levels, promote longer attention spans and foster creativity.

Allowing children to explore nature can also build empathy for living beings and foster environmental stewardship. Children learn about the delicate balance of nature and are inspired to protect our planet. Research shows that children involved in environmental education participate in environmentally friendly behaviors such as recycling, reducing water use and participating in community cleanups.

Being outside with friends and family helps promote relationships and creates lifelong memories. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of tractor rides with my sister and cousins in my grandparents’ woods. My grandpa would stop the tractor and let us explore. We would swing on vines, climb on fallen trees and enjoy the time together.

There are many ways to get outside with your Cloverbuds. The Ohio 4-H Cloverud Program provides a variety of resources to help you. The Big Book of Cloverbud Activities which can be purchased through Ohio Extension offices or from Extension Publications is full of activities related around the natural world. The section about animals and environmental and earth sciences are a perfect place to start. The ant antics activity where Cloverbuds learn about ant body parts and make an ant from marshmallows and pipe cleaners is a fun activity.

This Cloverbud Connections blog is another place to search for fun activities. A quick search with the word nature resulted in several helpful articles. One by Extension Specialist, Theresa Ferrari gives several ideas for scavenger hunts. Lindsey VanGundy, 4-H Educator and Cloverbud Design Team member gives ideas for fall fun in her article, “Fall Fun with Cloverbuds”. Rebecca Supinger, who is also a 4-H Educator and leader of the Cloverbud Design Team, describes outdoor activities for Cloverbuds in her article, “Getting Outside with Cloverbuds”. Aubrey Fowler, 4-H Educator, also gives great ideas in her article “Time to Get Outdoors”

Another great resource for activities are Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Click and Do Activities. One we recently highlighted is called Nature Color Match written by Bruce Zimmer who also serves on the Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Design Team. This activity lets Cloverbuds see all the different shade of a particular color in nature by using paint color chips to match colors. The sky has been in the news recently with the eclipse in April and the aurora borealis in May. It is the perfect time to use the Find the North Star activity to explore the night sky.

Reading to Cloverbuds is another great way to connect to nature and build literacy skills. Ohio 4-H Reading Adventures connect books with activities to enhance the learning. Several reading adventures feature books that relate to nature. Jan Brett’s book, The Umbrella, takes readers to a cloud forest. Activities for this book guide Cloverbuds and making a cloud in a jar and fun nature themes snacks. The reading adventure for the book, Diary of a Worm, by Dorine Cronin, feature an activity where youth measure gummy worms. This fun activity promotes math skills.

No matter what you choose to do with your Cloverbuds outside you are providing many benefits. Take a minute to explore all the resources Ohio 4-H has to help you.

 

Cloverbud Activities at the Fair

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Cloverbud members enjoy local county fairs and festivals just a much as our 4-H project members. Are you looking for some ideas to boost your Cloverbud activities?

Most fairs are open to 4-H Cloverbud members through a variety of exhibits. Children can exhibit work completed in their 4-H Cloverbud club and participate in noncompetitive activities.  All participation is noncompetitive and equal recognition is given to all participants. This does not mean that young children cannot be given advice or tips on how to improve their exhibit or work.

There are so many fun activities that can be geared toward our 5–8-year-olds. Here are just a few ideas:

  • Booth Exhibits
  • Show and Tell
  • Make & Take
  • Cloverbud Share Fair
  • Shoebox Floats
  • Cloverbud Revues
  • Stick Horse Exhibition
  • Veggie Car Event
  • Barn/Building Tours
  • Cloverbud Graduation
  • Puppet Shows
  • Reading Adventure Activities
  • Scavenger Hunts
  • Game Day
  • Speaking or Pledge Events
  • STEM Activities

This quick video provides a sampling of some 4-H Cloverbud events offered around Ohio: https://youtu.be/ISMgdYuSrK4  We hope you find a new activity for your Cloverbud members!

Camp Season is Just Around the Corner!

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Are you looking for ways to increase participation in your county’s 4-H Cloverbud program? Consider holding a multi-day Cloverbud Day Camp with a wide range of activities designed to engage and excite your Cloverbuds.

Each year, Union County, Ohio hosts a two-day Cloverbud Day Camp. Due to the large number of Cloverbuds in the county, registration is limited to 75 Cloverbuds. Camp is held at the Union County Extension office.

The camp theme in 2023 was “In My Back Yard”. Campers were divided into groups with teen counselors providing leadership. Adult extension staff and 4-H volunteers taught the educational sessions.

Camper groups were named after Ohio birds—Blue Jay, Robin, Goldfinch and Cardinal. Each morning started with songs. Then the groups rotated through four educational lessons. Each lesson focused on animals. Cloverbuds learned about the different birds in Ohio and painted birdhouses. They went on an outside adventure to look for and learn about different animal tracks. Another session was about animal habitats and Cloverbuds created a terrarium in a baby food jar. The final session was a nature game show. They ate lunch outside and had rest time after lunch. The day ended with a big pool noodle game carnival where Cloverbuds used tokens to play each game.

Day two was an exciting day for the Cloverbuds. Camp organizers chartered two Ohio State University buses and took the Cloverbuds to

4-H Camp Clifton. When they arrived at Camp Clifton, they participated in a nature scavenger hunt. After the scavenger hunt, they ate lunch at the campfire circle. The adult staff made smores for each Cloverbud to enjoy. Cabins were used for rest time and changing into swimsuits. Cloverbuds swam in the pool all afternoon. They returned to the Extension office at 3p.m. and then departed for home.

Cloverbud Day Camp was a huge success, thanks to the teens and adult volunteers. Camp continues to grow each year. So, if you are looking for a way to expand your Cloverbud program, consider adding a Cloverbud Day Camp. Whether you host a one-day camp, a two-day camp, or even longer camp, it is a great way to create excitement for your county’s Cloverbud program.

Reading Adventure: The Sun is Kind of a Big Deal

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The Sun is Kind of a Big Deal by Nick Seluk is a new Cloverbud Reading Adventure that you can use with your Cloverbuds to help them understand the solar system and the importance of the sun. This adventure can be used anytime but is great paired with education about the upcoming solar eclipse.

This lesson teaches Cloverbuds about the solar system and the planets and other items it includes. You will explore why the sun is a big deal through a variety of hands-on activities designed to reinforce key science concepts. It will help your Cloverbuds to understand that the sun sits in the center of our solar system and holds it together. Without the sun, life on planet Earth would not exist.

The book does a great job of explaining why we have four seasons, the sun’s role in the water cycle, and how plants need the sun for photosynthesis. Plus, it gives us light and keeps us warm!

Check out this new Reading Adventure and discover why The Sun is Kind of a Big Deal!

Spring Forward to Learning and Living

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With the recent time change we sprung forward by moving our clocks ahead by one hour. We lost an hour of sleep but gained an hour of daylight or hopefully, sunshine! I am thankful for this extra hour of light.

As the weather gets warmer, our 4-H Cloverbud members are getting busy with Cloverbud club meetings and activities. It is a great time to promote learning and living using materials and curriculum through your county Extension office.

As you enhance the experiences of your Cloverbud participants remember to use all “H’s” of 4-H:

  • Head: help youth to think and learn by releasing their creative energy
  • Heart: tap into their natural emotions of excitement and curiosity
  • Hands: foster a “hands on” approach in all that we do with Cloverbud children
  • Health: model physical and mental health through movement and positive outlook

In closing, I would like to share a poem that I asked ChatGPT to create for this blog article (with my modifications) to illustrate how technology can be used to enhance reading and imagination.

Springtime whispers in the air,

A time for change, a time to care.

Clocks move forward, time’s bright song,

Nights grow shorter, days grow long.

 

With each hour that swiftly flies,

Underneath the bright blue skies,

Nature wakes with joyful glee,

Blossoms bloom on every tree.

 

So as we spring ahead in time,

Embrace the change, let your spirit climb.

For in the season’s forward leap,

New adventures, dreams to keep.

 

 

 

 

Solar Eclipse 2024

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Have you heard the news? On Monday, April 8, 2024 a solar eclipse will occur over North America with portions of Mexico, the United States, and Canada in the path of totality. What is the path of totality? That means the moon will completely cover the sun, temporarily blocking its light. This can lead to a drop in temperature, animals behaving like it’s nighttime and stars and planets might be clearly visible. Imagine how scared the first people to view a total eclipse must have been!

Roughly 35 Ohio counties will experience complete totality while all other counties will experience a partial eclipse. Introduce your Cloverbuds to the eclipse by using the lesson, Small Moon, Big Sun 1 This is a stand-alone lesson focusing on the concept of the eclipse and a discussion about the solar system. Concerned because you are not a scientist? No problem! The lesson includes the background information to help you explain the event to your Cloverbuds in language they can understand.

Begin your Cloverbud meeting with a discussion about what an eclipse is and learn about the parts of the solar system. There is a cool experiment to help your Cloverbuds understand how the moon, which is much smaller than the sun, blocks the sun during an eclipse. If you have available internet connectivity, you can share the video about gravity which explains why the moon doesn’t fall from the sky. End your meeting with a discussion about what your Cloverbuds think it would be like to live on another planet.

In addition to this lesson, there are some children’s books that can be used to reinforce the key concepts: The Sun is Kind of A Big Deal by Nick Seluk, Eclipse by Andy Rash. and Eclipse by Darcy Patterson. Look for a related Cloverbud Reading Adventure coming soon!

If your 4-H families are planning to view the eclipse, follow these Tips for Sun Safety.

For more information or for other eclipse activities, visit ohio4h.org/solareclipse.

ALL SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING RISKS BORNE BY THE VIEWER. Any and all risks associated by viewing the solar eclipse on any property operated by, or with glasses distributed by the Ohio State University, are borne and accepted solely by the individual taking such action. Instructions on how to use the glasses are printed on the inside of the glasses. Please read them carefully and follow the instructions exactly as written. You hereby release The Ohio State University, its Trustees, boards, officers, employees and representatives from any liability, for any and all claims and causes of action for loss of or damage to property and for any and all illness or injury to your person that may result from or occur during your participation in the activity, whether caused by negligence of The Ohio State University, its Trustees, boards, officers, employees, or representatives, or otherwise. See instructions on glasses before use.