Cloverbud policies & guidelines

The commitment of 4-H to experiential education (hands-on learning), supporting the development of life skills, and fostering citizenship is key to all of the work we do with children and youth. Policies that affect different age groups and settings will vary. Based on the needs, interests, and developmental tasks of children in grades K-2, the following policies and guidelines have been established.

Who may participate

The University of Minnesota Extension 4-H Cloverbud Program is designed specifically for youth in grades Kindergarten through second grade (K-2). Members enrolled as a Kindergartner must be 5 years of age as of September 1 of the current year.

Competition

Competitive activities are developmentally inappropriate for children within the K-2 grades and age range; thus Cloverbud programs emphasize cooperative rather than competitive experiences.  Children are encouraged to develop social skills through cooperative experiences with their peers.  They also are allowed the freedom of not having undue emphasis placed on the product of their efforts.  This is a time to experiment with new skills and experiences, not to strive for perfection.

Lastly and perhaps most importantly, children in this age group have only begun to deal with the concept of being less than the best.  Therefore, it is not appropriate for children in K-2 to participate in competitive situations.  However, it is very appropriate for a child to participate in noncompetitive 4-H activities and to be recognized for their participation.

Children as leaders

Children in grades K-2 are not normally ready for positional leadership. Electing officers can cause some children to feel left out. These children need a strong sense of belonging. In keeping with good parenting practices for this age group, children should be encouraged to explore possibilities and to make choices (as a group) between two or three options. Children can be encouraged to accept specific responsibilities for the group (taking turns bringing refreshments, calling other children to invite them to the activities, etc.), but adult leaders need to be ready to accept greater responsibility for the organization of the experiences than they would for older children and youth. The adult is still the center of the child’s experience.

Team leadership

It is strongly recommended that there always be at least two adult leaders, unrelated to each other, with a group of K-2 children. This is a personal safety precaution for both the children and the adults. A ratio of one responsible person to every six children is recommended.

Rules for participation

For the safety of K-2 participants, the following rules apply to cloverbud experiences. Parents/guardians/mentors are responsible for ensuring their “cloverbud” understands and follows the rules.  Extension 4-H staff members and designated volunteer(s) are positioned to intervene when rules are not followed and/or if safety becomes a concern for another reason. Definitions used in outlining the rules are noted at the end of the document.

1. When using equipment that is potentially dangerous, a responsible person1 will be with the cloverbud at all times2 guiding and monitoring their involvement.  Examples of potentially dangerous equipment include sewing machines and power tools. 

2. Cloverbuds may only participate in wildlife educational opportunities of the 4-H Shooting Sports/Wildlife program. Cloverbuds may not handle any equipment, including firearms and archery equipment.

3. Cloverbuds must wear appropriate safety helmets when riding horses or bicycles.

4. When cloverbuds and animals (including beef, cats,dairy, dogs, goats, horse, llama - alpaca, pets, poultry, rabbit, swine and sheep) are together at a 4-H program or participating at the county fair as a 4-H member, the following rules apply:

• A responsible person1 must be with the cloverbud to guide and monitor their involvement at all times2, including but not limited to movement within and to and from the trailers, barns, wash racks, and show arena. 

• Families may choose one of two acceptable ways to guide and monitor involvement in non-mounted activities:

1. The responsible person1 is in control3 of the animal with the cloverbud at their side.

2. The cloverbud is in control3 of the animal with the responsible person1 at their side to assist or take control of the animal when needed or as directed by staff, volunteers or show managers.

• When a cloverbud is mounted on a horse, the horse must always have a lead line and be under the control of the responsible person1. 

• Cloverbuds may safely interact with their animal through participation in a limited number of non-competitive classes at 4-H sponsored practice sessions/clinics, fun shows and county fairs. The purpose is to provide youth an opportunity to experience being in the ring with a judge present and to feel the pride that comes with this experience. Appropriate participation includes:

• Cloverbuds may participate with beef, dairy, dog, goats, pets, poultry, rabbits, and swine in a Cloverbud Showmanship Class.

• Cloverbuds may participate with a sheep in two classes:  Cloverbud Showmanship or Cloverbud Lamb Lead.

• Cloverbuds may participate with a llama - alpaca in two classes:  Cloverbud Costume or Cloverbud Showmanship.  

• Cloverbuds may participate with a horse in three classes: Cloverbud Halter/Showmanship, Cloverbud Western Pleasure or Cloverbud Barrels.  If the horse is used in a riding setting, the Cloverbud may sit on the back of the horse with a responsible person1 in control3 of the horse at all times2.  Helmets are required for the Cloverbud in any riding setting.

1  A “responsible person” is defined as a screened adult volunteer, youth leader 6th grade and older, parent or other adult who may appropriately assist with the group.

2 “At all times” includes but is not limited to the following: during all portions of project workshops, club events, club meetings, public showcases which includes county fairs, demonstrations, or a community event where youth are representing 4-H with an animal or interacting with potentially dangerous equipment..  

3 “Control” means assuming responsibility for handling and/or leading the animal. The parent/responsible person must determine the cloverbud’s ability to control the animal. 

Contact

Becky Harrington, director of operations and systems, willi107@umn.edu, 612-624-7974