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Maine 4-H Cloverbud
Policy
This policy has been
created for the protection of our youth and our volunteers and staff.
The policy will help us make sure that our programs for our youngest
members are safe and developmentally appropriate while offering guidance
on the many ways that young 4-H members can participate. This policy,
which complies with the national Cloverbud policy, insures that
volunteers who are following the policy will be covered by University
liability coverage. Volunteers acting outside the policy cannot be
assured of this coverage.
What is a Cloverbud?
The
term Cloverbud is used to identify 4-H members who are 5 through 8 years
old. Any Maine youth between the 4-H ages of 5 and 8 years old may join
the 4-H program. 4-H age is the age of the member on December 31 of the
4-H year, Children in this age group are a distinct audience for 4-H
with developmental and learning characteristics that are different from
older members. Participation, safety,
personal development, learning, and fun in a cooperative,
non-competitive setting are the priorities of the Cloverbud program.
Cloverbuds should experience programs that are developmentally
appropriate, activity-oriented, involve cooperative learning and are
focused on learning activity skills and life skills through a wide
variety of topic areas.
Cloverbuds in clubs:
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Cloverbud members
may participate in multi-age clubs or in clubs that are limited to
members 5 through 8 years old. Counties and volunteers may decide
what kinds of clubs they would like to offer.
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No matter what the
club format, 5 through 8 year old activities must meet the
requirements of the Maine Cloverbud policy.
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When 5 through 8
year old members enroll, their project area (on the back of the
enrollment sheet) should always be listed as 60074 “Introduction to
4-H Projects” FD
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Programs for
Cloverbuds should consist of introductory level (“sampler”)
activities that build skills in a variety of 4-H project areas.
(Fact sheets with information and ideas about these activities will
be available soon.)
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When 5 through 8
year olds participate in multi-age club activities, activities
should be modified or another activity substituted if the activity
is inappropriate for the age group for safety, skill level, or
attention span reasons.
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In any setting, the
adult: youth ratio for this age group should be 1:6. Adults working
with the youth should be VOLT trained or working under the direction
of a VOLT trained volunteer.
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While Cloverbuds may
not hold elected club offices, they should have a chance to learn
about club leadership roles. Assigning short term officer roles by
random drawing or rotation or shadowing older officers are ways for
Cloverbuds to learn about club officer jobs.
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Business meetings
involving Cloverbuds should be brief and run by adults or older
teens with the focus on learning about planning, decision-making and
leadership skills.
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Cloverbuds may not
handle money. They may be involved in club fundraising events with
the direct supervision of an adult or older teen. They may not go
door to door to raise funds.
Cloverbud Activities:
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The purpose of the 5 through 8 year old program
is to introduce young 4-H members to the full range of 4-H
project areas. Cloverbud “sampler” activities let them learn a
variety of topics and skills that provide immediate positive
feedback. Curriculum resources specifically for Cloverbuds will
be available through your county office.
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A Cloverbud activity focuses on developing a
skill or concept related to a short term experience. 4-H
project work, a long-term planned course of study in one subject
area, is designed for 4-H members 9 and older. The skills
Cloverbuds learn from their activities will prepare them for
project work later.
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The 5 through 8 year old years are the time to
build habits and skills to safely participate in 4-H projects
independently as older 4-H members. An adult or experienced
older teen should provide direct one-on-one supervision of
Cloverbuds who are using potentially harmful tools such as
scissors, knives, needles, hammers, etc. Cloverbuds may not
independently operate power-driven equipment such as sewing
machines, power drills, small engines, clippers, etc. By
learning a progression of skills under careful supervision of an
adult or experienced teen, Cloverbuds should begin to master the
skills needed to use this equipment as an older 4-H member.
Portions of activities requiring the use of items such as rotary
cutters, hot glue guns, power tools, roto-tillers and other
tools with high potential for injury should be carried out when
Cloverbud members are not nearby.
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Cloverbuds must use appropriate safety equipment
such as helmets, life jackets, safety glasses, hard toed shoes,
etc as required.
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Cloverbuds should have the opportunity to be
introduced to simple record keeping skills using an age
appropriate method such as the Maine 4-H Cloverbuds Activity
Record.
Cloverbuds and Animals
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The national 4-H policy states that for safety
and developmental reasons, 5 through 8 year olds may not have
animal projects, but recognizes along with Maine 4-H that
engaging 5 to 8 year olds in activities with animals builds
long-term interest in working with animals. Therefore,
carefully structured, well supervised activities with animals
are encouraged.
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Cloverbud animal activities are designed to
introduce 5 through 8 year olds to various kinds of animals and
to develop safe basic care and handling skills. ( See
“Cloverbuds and Animal Activities” for more information.)
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One-on-one supervision by an adult or experienced
older teen who maintains ultimate control of the animal is
required any time a 5 through 8 year old is working with any
animal regardless of size.
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The focus of Cloverbud animal activities is on
learning through activities other than livestock showing such as
clinics, skill-a-thons, and pairing up with older 4-H member
“animal buddies” to learn about the care and training of the
animals.
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Because Cloverbuds do not do projects, they do
not have project animals and are not permitted to have Animal
Approval Forms.
Cloverbuds and Fairs
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While Cloverbuds may
not participate as competitive exhibitors in any 4-H events, they
are encouraged to participate in fairs and other county events on
other ways.
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Cloverbuds are
encouraged to exhibit their activities in 4-H Exhibit Halls. As
exhibitors, they should receive a standard participation ribbon or
other small token as designed or chosen by each county/fair.
Cloverbuds may not receive premiums. However, a small honorarium may
be paid to the club or the member in an amount to be determined by
each county/fair.
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Although Cloverbud
exhibits are not ranked or scored, it is important for the children
to receive feedback on their exhibits. They may participate in a
“show and tell” activity about their exhibit or receive written
feedback that includes positive encouragement and constructive
suggestions for growth. (A fact sheet “Cloverbuds and Fair
Participation” will be available.)
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Each county/fair may
determine how Cloverbud exhibits will be displayed, either in a
separate area, within each club’s area, etc.
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Cloverbuds may not
show any animals competitively in 4-H classes at Maine fairs or
other 4-H events.
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8 year old
members may participate in a non-competitive “demonstration
show” with one-on-one supervision with a rabbit, dog,
poultry, kid goat or non-market, lamb, piglet, or small
calf. (Volunteers should insure that the calf is small enough to
be handled safely and controlled by the adult or older youth.
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5 through 7 year
olds may participate in a clinic, skill-a-thon or other
educational activity with one-on-one adult supervision with
adults or older teens with at least 3 years experience
maintaining primary control of the animal. This activity may
occur in a show ring or other public area that is small enough
to allow for good control of the animals being used.
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Cloverbuds may
receive standard participation ribbons or other identical tokens
for participation in these events as determined by each
county/fair. Premiums are not permitted. A small honorarium in
an amount to be determined by each county/fair may be provided
to the club or the member in an amount to be determined by each
county/fair, but this should not be comparable to premiums
received by older youth showing in competitive 4-H shows.
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Any Maine
Agricultural Fair age participation rules more restrictive than
those of this policy take precedence.
Updated 3/2009
For more information on educational programs in your area,
contact your county Extension office
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