4-H Cloverbuds afterschool program reaches record high participants

Published: 2020
By Danielle Harper

The Wibaux County 4-H Cloverbuds program is uniquely designed to be an after-school program offered January to May with 10 classes. The 4-H Cloverbuds are 4-H members aged 6-8 (grades K-3). The youth enrolled in the Cloverbuds program experience activities in a non-competitive setting. The program is designed to introduce youth to the many different opportunities 4-H has to offer and to help members decide the projects they are interested in when they reach the age of nine and can become a full 4-H member. Each year, the Wibaux Cloverbuds program chooses a theme that incorporates 4-H skills, projects, knowledge, and interest, into a fun interactive and educational activity. In 2019, the Cloverbuds traveled the globe collecting passport stamps and learning about different countries and cultures. Each of the 10 lessons was themed around a different country with guest speakers, learning how to say please and thank you in a foreign language, and trying new foods from each country. This year, the National 4-H theme is Opportunity4All. The Cloverbuds learned all about the endless opportunities 4-H provides, especially highlighting the International Program for Young Adults that 4-H members can take advantage of as senior members. After the Cloverbuds "visited"each country in their 4-H Passport book, they told how they wanted to visit a new country and why. This year was the first year the number of participants had to be capped at 30 students due to space and supplies. The Cloverbuds were split into two groups; group #1 first-years, group #2 second- and third-year members. The difference between the two groups demonstrated the positive impact 4-H has on its youngest members who are growing through the Cloverbuds program. The experiences and lifelong lessons learned, even as a Cloverbud, are truly an excellent testimony to the 4-H program.