How beneficial is 4-H cloverbuds?

[momtolgd]

We have an opportunity to join a homeschool 4-H cloverbuds group that will meet about twice a month for the next 4 months. The problem is that it is a 45 minute drive one way...so I'd be driving 1 1/2 hours for a 1 1/2 hour meeting. With the gas prices the way they are going, I just don't know if the value of being a part of the group would outweigh the cost and driving time. What do you think?

[Josie]

Do you just have Clover Buds or do you have older children? Personally, I wouldn't drive 45 minutes for Clover Buds. In the groups I have been in the Clover Bud program is really just "babysitting with a theme" for the younger children who have siblings in the older 4-H groups. YMMV

[CLHCO]

I agree. I wouldn't drive that for Clover Buds unless you have an unusually motivated leader. My son has been in it for 3 years but only to tag along with his older sisters. I'd never spend the gas money and registration fee for that otherwise.

[momtolgd]

Well, the leader is wanting it to be a family oriented group. Yes there will also be the older 4-H kids there, but the way she described it, they will all be working on activities at the meetings and everyone will have to choose a project.

I really don't know much about 4-H, but the opportunity has been offered through our homeschool group. I'm just not sure that it's worth it at this point since our kids are only 7, 5 and 1 years old...maybe in a couple years or so.

Thank you both for chiming in.

[Margaret in CO]

I think Cloverbuds is a waste of time. It didn't exist with my older girls, but was started in time for #3. We never did it. She got plenty of hands-on with the older girls' projects and ours consisted of "useful" things like decorating cookies. Um, I can do that at home... To my kids, 4-H means animals and Cloverbuds can't do them. They COULD do PeeWee showmanship durinng fair, so several of them did that.

[Jeanne in MN]

Our oldest was in 4-H last year and our youngest were in Cloverbuds. The cloverbuds went to the same meetings and just did the things the other 4-H members did like listening to kids give project talks, help make a club banner for the fair, play BINGO at the nursing home, etc. The kids thought it ok, but nothing grand. For us, it would not be worth it to do again-especially if it were that far away.

[Tutor]

Our 4H gardening club had the regular program plus a Clover Bud gardening program. The Clover Buds did everything the older children did, they just had a different book and their entries to the fair weren't eligible for judging. They also allowed all Clover Buds who had older siblings in the regular club to participate for free.

My dd really enjoyed it, but her older sister was there, and I wouldn't have gone if they weren't both able to be involved.

[Kathy in MD]

I really don't know much about 4-H, but the opportunity has been offered through our homeschool group.



practical skills through the regular projects, there are many other training and learning opportunities. Public speaking and leadership training are the two big ones. Plus there are opportunities to travel (when older) to various conventions and camps, based on their work and experience.

When your dc are older, do consider it. Also you may find a group closer to you.

[strider]

We did Cloverbuds for a number of years. When we started it was babysitting with a theme. However, a friend and I ended up stepping into leadership into that group, and wanted to beef it up a little. It was wonderfully successful! The kids had a fantastic time researching between meetings and presenting their findings show-and-tell style. We also did projects and had service field trips, all of which went really well.

I would say to go observe the Cloverbuds group in question and talk to the moms about expectations. If it's mostly a fun night, just something for the littles to do while their siblings do 4-H, then I would not consider it worth the drive. But if it requires them to be fully engaged in the learning process then it may be more worthwhile.

[Kelli in TN]

I think Cloverbuds is a fantastic program for kids who are too young for 4H. It is a great way to build excitement about 4H. It provides a place for younger siblings to learn and do at their own level.

But it is an "add-on" program. In our club we seriously discourage people from joining Cloverbuds unless they have older children in the regular club.

I can't tell from your post if this is only Cloverbuds or simply a 4H club with a Cloverbud group. If it is only Cloverbuds, I believe I would stay home.

I cannot say enough good about 4H. Except when it is time to finish up portfolios, then I cannot say enough bad!!!!:D

[Sparkle]

We have an opportunity to join a homeschool 4-H cloverbuds group that will meet about twice a month for the next 4 months. The problem is that it is a 45 minute drive one way...so I'd be driving 1 1/2 hours for a 1 1/2 hour meeting. With the gas prices the way they are going, I just don't know if the value of being a part of the group would outweigh the cost and driving time. What do you think?

I have 4 kids in 4-H, 2 in the regular program, and 2 in Cloverbuds. We drive 1 1/2 hours each way, once or twice a month, but they are full days where everyone does classes/projects/meetings. My girls really enjoy Cloverbuds, and they have done PE games, cooking, handcrafts, homemade toys, theme crafts, small animals and dance. There are also a lot of opportunities for service projects and speaking practice.

That said, I'm not sure I would do it for just the younger ones - that's kind of a long drive for that short of a meeting. Our club does have quite a few families that just have Cloverbud members, but most of them don't have to drive too far. Can you just attend once and see how you like it?