Did you know youth clubs similar to 4-H exist all over the world? Introduce your Cloverbuds to different cultures by comparing and contrasting clovers from abroad. This activity is also part of a new, upcoming project book about 4-H around the world.
Materials: blank paper with a line drawn down the middle, coloring utensils (preferably green), hand-out of other clovers (see link in instructions, cut in half so each youth only gets one clover), globe or map
What to do:
- Tell Cloverbuds to draw the 4-H clover from memory on the left side of the line drawn on their papers. Provide hints if they struggle or show them the clover. Ask them to identify what each H represents out loud as a group.
- Explain that 4-H members are all over the world, but that 4-H looks and sounds different than in the U.S., especially if they speak a different language. This can be seen by how other countries designed their clovers. Pass-out one of the other country clovers to each youth Homan – Cloverbud Connections Attachment 1-2h4t4j5. Tell Cloverbuds to copy the new clover on the right side of the line drawn on their papers.
- Ask youth to identify one thing that is similar between the two clovers on their papers and one thing that is different. Share those with the group. Ask why they think the clover is different.
- Explain the logos:
- 4-H Canada’s clover does not have a stem and features the country’s name beneath the clover. The middle of the clover contains an outline of a maple tree leaf, which is borrowed from Canada’s national flag. Canada uses the same 4, H’s as the U.S.
- Youth in Nicaragua speak Spanish, so the 4, H’s have been translated into 4 words beginning with S in Spanish: Saber (to know/head), Sentimientos (feelings/heart), Servicio (service/hands), and Salud (health). As a result, 4-H is called 4-S there.
- In Ghana, the words “Learn, Earn, and Go Green” are above the clover. 4-H members in Ghana LEARN new skills, use their skills to EARN money, and do activities as a group to make the environment more GREEN. The 4 and H are connected and combined. Ghana uses the same 4, H’s as the U.S.
- Vietnam’s logo doesn’t even include a clover! In Vietnam, the 4, H’s have been translated into 4 words beginning with T in Vietnamese: Tri (mind/head), Tam (heart), Tay (hands), and Tai (talent). As a result, 4-H is called 4-T there.
- Ask youth to find the country on a map.
You can also show youth a compilation of clovers from around the world created by the National 4-H Council in 2009 Homan – Cloverbud Connections Attachment 2-1yxa4ir and a map showing where 4-H-like clubs exist around the world at: https://4-h.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/4-H-Map.pdf