Camp

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.

 

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.

STEM Days for Cloverbuds

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Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities can make learning fun for our Cloverbuds and instill a lifelong desire to learn new things! Doing STEM based learning has many benefits for youth so Morgan County implemented Cloverbud STEM days. Events typically last 2 hours and consist of different STEM activities for Cloverbuds.  The day ends with a snack.

The event is completely conducted by Older Youth in Training and Junior Leaders.  With guidance, they choose a theme and plan what activities they want to do. Older youth lead the activities throughout the day.

The last STEM Day was on April 7th. It was called “Swing into Spring.” One of the activities for the day was based on the lifecycle of the Monarch Butterfly. It was an interactive game where the Cloverbuds become the monarch butterfly, beginning as an egg.

Supplies Needed:

  • Cotton balls
  • Laminated Monarch Caterpillars
  • Laminated Monarch Butterflies
  • Laminated milkweed leaves
  • Laminated Flowers
  • Milkweed seeds for a giveaway (optional)
  • Popsicle sticks (optional, to hot glue onto butterflies and caterpillars for easy holding)

What to Do:

  1. Explain what the Cloverbuds will be doing (experiencing the lifecycle of a monarch butterfly.)
  2. They will start off as an egg (cotton ball) and then hatch into a caterpillar. To hatch out of their eggs, each Cloverbud must jump 5 times. After they do so, hand them a laminated monarch butterfly caterpillar.
  3. Next the caterpillars must eat to form into a chrysalis to become a butterfly. Monarch caterpillars love milkweed. Each Cloverbud must collect (eat) 5 milkweed leaves so their caterpillar can form a chrysalis (explain the chrysalis is the shell a caterpillar will stay in while it is transforming into a butterfly).
  4. To simulate emerging from the chrysalis, they will put their caterpillars into a green cup. They must take ten steps to break out of their chrysalis (The actual time frame for this is 8-15 days).
  5. Once they have taken ten steps, hand each Cloverbud a laminated Monarch Butterfly.
  6. Now that they have hatched, it is time to get ready for the great migration to Mexico. Explain that just like birds, Monarch butterflies migrate too. They fly over Lake Erie to Canada all the way to Mexico where it is warmer. In order to prepare for migration, monarch butterflies must eat. Butterflies eat the nectar in flowers. Cloverbuds must collect eight flowers to successfully migrate to Mexico.
  7. Lastly, they will cross the finish line making it to Mexico.

There are many different variations you can do with this activity. Consider adding predators or other environmental factors. Morgan County 4-H partners with their SNAP-Ed program assistant to teach a short/fun lesson on nutrition during snack time right before dismissal. Cloverbuds enjoy that aspect of this event.

Consider implementing Cloverbud STEM days in your Cloverbud program.  STEM days have been a huge success in Morgan County!

 

Expanding Cloverbud Opportunities: County-Wide Cloverbud Clubs

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Are you looking for additional ideas to expand your current Cloverbud program?  Do you have 4-H clubs with one or two Cloverbud members that would benefit from opportunities beyond the community club?  Consider hosting a county-based Cloverbud Club to maximize outreach efforts.

Each year, Union County, Ohio, hosts a county-wide Cloverbud Club. To accommodate the large number of Cloverbuds in their county, two sessions are offered: one on Wednesday evening and one on Saturday morning. Meetings are held at the beginning of each month, February through May, with an additional session at the end of May to conclude the Cloverbud year. The theme for 2023 is “In My Backyard”. The meeting schedule utilizes a camp approach in which the Cloverbuds rotate in groups to different stations. Teens serve as counselors and supervise the Cloverbuds as they rotate through the activities.  Adult volunteers lead the sessions and teach the Cloverbuds about the selected topics.

The February meeting topic was “All About Bees”.  Cloverbuds learned about the life cycle of a bee, made beeswax candles, learned about pollination, and had a honey tasting station. The March meeting focused on worms. Cloverbuds conducted experiments with Red Wiggler Worms. During the April meeting, Cloverbuds learned about gardening. They planted lettuce seeds, made fruit pizza, and did a fruit and vegetable taste test. May’s meeting focused on animals. Volunteers brought a dog, horse, lamb, goat, pig, and turkeys.  The final meeting in May included a visit to a local farm and fishing.

The Cloverbud Club is a huge success, thanks to the teens and adult volunteers, and continues to grow each year.  Consider adding a county-based Cloverbud Club to your existing Cloverbud opportunities and expand your 4-H outreach.

4-H Cloverbud Day Camp: Creating a Welcoming Environment

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For many young people, 4-H camp is the highlight of their year.  Filled with games, workshops, singing, and fun activities, what child wouldn’t love it?  As a 4-H camp director preparing for my 21st camping season here in Warren County, I have witnessed countless smiles and laughter of hundreds of young campers.   For many, there’s just something special about the camp experience that keep kids coming back year after year.  A question I repeatedly ask at the beginning of the camp planning season is “What training do my camp staff need in order to make this year’s camp successful and have kids want to keep coming back?”  This question is especially important when planning activities for Cloverbud campers.  Many 5-8 year old campers are experiencing camp for the first time and just beginning to spend time away from their parents and caregivers.  They are willing to exploring different social groups and learning how to master their physical skills while being open to trying new things.

The biggest contributor to camp success depends on how welcome and included campers feel, especially at the start of the experience.  Creating the camp environment needs to be intentional and well thought through with attention to the details.  Below are a few tips to include in the pre camp training of counselors and staff that will help create and sustain a welcoming environment.

Addressing Campers by Their Correct Name:   Addressing and correctly pronouncing the name of each camper is very important, especially at the beginning of camp.  When campers hear their name, especially by a camp leader, it reinforces their individual value and helps them feel important to the group.  This recognition contributes to the creation of a welcoming environment where everyone feels included.   Play lots of name games on day one.

Nonverbals Are Important:  Research shows that your body language and your tone of voice account for over 90% of what you communicate to others.  This is especially true for the young children who may be new at camp.  Pay particular attention to your body posture and eye contact when communicating with campers.  It often helps to bend down to their level and lean into the encounter.  This type of posture demonstrates that your attention is focused on them and communicates they are important and worth your time and focus.   Smiles and fist bumps are great too!

“Hands-on” Engagement:   Kids love toys and games.  Much of camp is about play and fun, but not all kids experience it in the same way.  Having a “Discovery Table” where kids can select and pick up items of interest is a great way to stimulate learning and interaction.  It is also a great distraction from unwanted feelings like homesickness and fear of not fitting in.   You can also apply this concept at the table where campers sit by covering it with craft paper and allowing them to use crayons to draw or doodle.  When you add the engagement with a table counselor, it can significantly add to creating a positive welcoming environment.

Here are some of my favorite Games to make campers feel welcome and included.

Group Juggle

The group stands in an inward facing circle and are asked to throw juggling balls amongst the group in a specific order. As the activity develops more juggling balls are introduced and the pressure to work well as a group increases.

Pick-a-Corner

Designate 4 corners around the room with 4 choices.  After you pick 4 choices around a topic or theme, ask campers to go to the designated corner that best matches their preference.  Make the topics fun.  (Example:  Favorite Food — 1. Mac and Cheese 2.  Pizza  3.  Mashed Potatoes   4.  Chicken Tenders;  Favorite Vacation spot   1.  Mountains    2.  Beach   3.  City   4.  Cruise)

Quarter Flip

Have everyone stand up.  Tell them they need to select heads or tails. (Illustrate by touching both hands on their head or their “tail”.)   Then flip the coin and call it to the group.  If they chose incorrect, instruct them to sit.  Game continues until one winner.  The winner gets to be the new caller.  Continue as time permits.

Creating a safe and inclusive environment for campers and staff is the strong foundation for a successful Cloverbud camp.  Camp is a great activity to help children transition away from depending on their parents and transfer that dependence to other caring adults.  These camp fundamentals of creating a welcoming and inclusive camp should accompany all aspects of pre-camp planning as well as all activities during the camp.

 

Sources:

Condensed Ages & Stages – Fact Sheet – 5-8years.  Retrieved from https://extension.purdue.edu/4h/Documents/1_5-8_Fact_Sheet.pdf

Games Resource:   “Find Something To Do”  (Jim Cain, 2012) Great Fun and No Prop Games for all ages

Cloverbud Activities and Events

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Cloverbud participating in Watermelon Eating Contest at the Greene County Fair . Photo courtesy of Xenia Gazette

Cloverbud youth can participate in most of the club and county 4-H activities. With a little thought and pre-planning, most activities can be adapted for all members.

Keep in mind the Program Foundations when planning activities and events.  These specific requirements are listed at http://go.osu.edu/CloverbudFoundations. Remember their activities must be noncompetitive, safe and age appropriate.

Cloverbuds are able to experience 4-H camp! This can be during the county overnight camp or a separate day camp.

  • Cloverbud Camp- youth may participate only in overnight and/or day camps that meet their needs
  • Cloverbud veggie car – youth make cars out of vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots, eggplants for the body and other vegetables for the wheels and decorations
  • Watermelon eating – how much watermelon can you eat
  • Cloverbot Challenge- age appropriate STEM activities
  • Cloverbud graduation- celebrating youth transiting from Cloverbuds to project age membership
  • Show and Tell- youth share their favorite collection, item, stuffed animal, activity, etc.
  • Demonstrations- recite 4-H pledge during county demonstrations to expose them to public speaking at a young age
  • Snack- prepare snacks for a club meeting
  • Thank you note contest- youth design a 4-H related picture to be printed on county thank you note cards

Cloverbuds are often excited to work closely with older members. Include Cloverbud youth in community service projects, gardening, and in club meetings. Have them lead the 4-H Pledge or Pledge of Allegiance at a meeting.

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to where Cloverbuds are developmentally. Activities should be age appropriate. The Cloverbud Program is noncompetitive since young children have a hard time understanding the concepts of winning and losing.

When working through activities, be mindful to connect youth with real life experiences using the experiential learning model (http://go.osu.edu/CloverbudFoundations). It is important to work with youth so they fully understand the concept of the activity.

Talk with the county Extension Office if you have questions or suggestions of activities to offer for Cloverbuds. Remember, you are setting the stage for a long, successful, and impactful youth development experience!

Summertime Fun: Cloverbuds Go To Camp

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No matter what the age of a 4-H member is, 4-H Camp is the highlight of their summer.  Cloverbuds can experience 4-H camp, too!

Camps for Cloverbuds can take place in a variety of settings.  Fairgrounds, parks, etc. may be utilized when planning your Cloverbud Camp.  Be sure that the facility will provide a safe and welcoming environment for your campers.  There should be enough space for campers to utilize their large motor skills in addition to being able to accommodate small group activities.

When planning 4-H camp for Cloverbuds, keep in mind their developmental needs and be sure that activities are age-appropriate.  Programs should be activity based and include a variety of short-term experiences.  Remember that Cloverbud activities should be noncompetitive and foster cooperative learning with participants.  Most importantly, activities should be safe and fun!

Whether you offer a day camp of one day or a series of days, or an overnight camp, be sure that you have the appropriate number of approved volunteers.  Required staffing patterns for a Cloverbud overnight camp is a minimum of one approved volunteer per five campers.  For Cloverbud Day Camps, the ratio is one approved volunteer per six campers.  A minimum of 80% of approved camp volunteers must be 18 years of age or older as of the first day of camp.

Make your 4-H Cloverbud Camp fun!  Come up with a creative theme and design your activities around that theme.  For example, a camp with the theme of “Nocturnal Nature” might feature activities related to animals that are active at night (bats, raccoons, etc).  “Explore the Outdoors” might feature activities related to trees, flowers, or animals.  STEM activities might be featured at a camp with the theme of “Wacky World of Science”.

Check with your OSU Extension Educator for 4-H Youth Development for policies and guidelines that apply specifically to Cloverbud Camp.  They can help you to plan a safe and effective camp for your Cloverbuds.