Champaign County 4-H Cloverbud Guidelines
Basic guidelines for Champaign County 4-H Cloverbuds are as follows:
1. 4-H Cloverbuds is an optional program at the county and club level.
2. 4-H Cloverbuds – for youth ages 5-7 as of September 1 of current year.
3. A minimum of 5 youth must be enrolled in the Cloverbud group.
4. 4-H Cloverbud leaders should have activities prepared for members at
each meeting.
5. The 4-H Cloverbud program is activity-based. “Activity-based” means a
variety of short experiences for youth that create an eclectic, cooperative,
and fun approach to learning. Youth receive an immediate, positive
feedback response to involvement in the activity.
6. Clover buds can enroll in group projects; they are not permitted to take
individual projects like 4-H members.
7. It is not the intent or the objective of the Illinois 4-H Cloverbud program
to duplicate the 8- to18-year-old Illinois program experience, nor to create
a mini-4-H concept. While many 4-H Cloverbuds will continue to be
involved in other 4-H experiences, the 4-H Cloverbud program is designed
with specific educational objectives focused on 5-7 year olds.
8. Junior leaders or older 4-H youth can help lead Cloverbud lessons.
9. 4-H Cloverbuds can meet with the 4-H Club for the following:
 Pledges
 Talks and Demonstrations
 Games
 Snacks
10. Meetings - If the 4-H Cloverbud group must meet at the same time as the
community club, take the 4-H Clover buds to a separate room or area
away from the older 4-H members. Keep 4-H Cloverbud meetings short,
one hour. May meet more frequently than once a month.
11. Cloverbud members can show group projects or projects they have worked
on throughout the year at the 4-H Fair for non-competitive awards.
Created: September 1, 2014