Participation, safety, personal development, learning and fun in a cooperative, non-competitive setting are the priorities of the Maine Cloverbud program.

Goals of the Cloverbud Program

• Develop a positive self-concept
• Practice life skills of: sharing, cooperation and social skills, decision-making, self-esteem, personal safety and responsible citizenship.
• Develop a positive attitude toward learning.
• Master new physical skills and gain knowledge in the 4-H curriculum areas through age-appropriate experiential learning.
• Develop on-going relationships with caring adults and older youth who serve as positive role models.
• Experience success and fun in their program and aspire to continue on in 4-H.

Policies for Cloverbuds and Animals

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.

Safety First

• Cloverbud animal activities are designed to introduce 5 to 8 year olds to various kinds of animals and to develop safe basic care and handling skills.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

To be Safe on Horses, Cloverbuds must...

• Have one on one supervision by an experienced adult or older teen
• Wear an ASTM standard SEI-certified, fitted helmet and proper equestrian footwear
• Ride only in a controlled and contained area
• Ride horses with quiet, calm dispositions

Developmentally Appropriate

• The needs of 5-6 year olds are usually different than those of 7 and 8 year olds and every child is different;
• As Cloverbuds go through these ages, they are able to do more on their own;
• Our goal is for 9 year members to be ready to ride safely independently and have the skills and confidence to begin to show if desired.

Animal Activities Should Cover all 4-H Curriculum Areas

• Plants and Animals,
• Citizenship and Civic Education,
• Healthy Life Styles,
• Personal Development,
• Science and Technology,
• Communications and Expressive Arts,
• Family and Consumer Sciences,
• Environmental Education/Earth Sciences

Animal Activities...

• 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.
• 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.
• Because Cloverbuds do not do projects, they do not have project animals and are not permitted to have Animal Approval Forms.

Horse Activities for Cloverbuds

• Learn horse breeds, colors, patterns
• Learn horse body parts
• Learn about horse nutrition and health and compare to their own needs
• Learn about safety around horses and other animals
• Learn horse care tools and techniques
• Learn about tack parts, uses, and care
• Draw horses and do other horse related art and craft projects
• Read and write stories about horses
• Create model horses
• Learn about horse shows by using model horses
• Learn about horse related jobs

Cloverbuds and Fairs

• Cloverbuds may not participate as competitive exhibitors in any 4-H events, however, they are encouraged to participate in fairs and other county events in other ways
• 8 year old members may participate in a non-competitive "demonstration show" with one-on-one supervision
• 5 through 7 year olds may participate in a clinic, skill-a-thon or other educational activity with one-on-one adult supervision
• All Cloverbud participants receive the same ribbon or other reward

Resources

• http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/cloverbud/cloverbudresources.html#5
• North Carolina 4-H Cloverbud Record Book
• Minnesota 4-H Model Horses

Any Questions?

To download a copy of this PowerPoint presentation, click here

 

For more information on educational programs in your area, contact your county Extension office.