Clover Kids learn about 4-H traditions

These two Clover Kids at the Remsen Public Library enjoy a milk shake they made in a jar. Clover Kids is a pre-4-H program. Activities, crafts and snacks are a part of each Clover Kids monthly meeting. Remsen is one of four locations in Plymouth County for the program. [Click to enlarge]

Children in first through third grades can get an early jump on 4-H when they participate in the Clover Kids program.

"Clover Kids is a pre-4-H program," explained Rose Weber, who is directing groups in four Plymouth County communities this year. This is her first year with the program in Plymouth County.

"We introduce them to things they might get to experience in 4-H," she said.

The students also learn leadership skills and how to work together as a team.

"And we just have fun together," Weber added.

There are four Clover Kids 4-H groups in the county which meet once a month from January through May. They are:

* Kissinger Elementary in Merrill, the third Monday.

* Hinton Community School, the fourth Monday.

* Kingsley-Pierson School, the fourth Tuesday.

* Remsen Public Library, the fourth Thursday.

Meeting time is 3:30 to 5 p.m. at each location.

"We have a variety of activities," Weber said. "After the children have been in school all day, they need to move around and do things. It's a learning environment with games and a craft. We also tie in a healthy snack and drink."

There is a limit of 16 participants per site. This year there are 53 children in the program.

Some of the children are younger siblings of 4-H members. Others come from non-4-H families.

"Clover Kids is a good way for children and adults to learn that 4-H is more than living on a farm and showing livestock," Weber said. "There are so many skills to be learned."

The Weber family moved to the Kingsley area from Humboldt, where Weber's daughter participated in Clover Kids for a year. Weber herself was a 4-H member for a couple years.

While the groups end their meeting time in May, Weber said there are plans to give the Clover Kids an opportunity to have a project at the Plymouth County Fair, where they can go through the judging process.

"We want to link these children with a 4-H club so they can get involved and become a part of a it," Weber added.

For Weber, working with Clover Kids is a good fit.

"I love working with kids," she said. "And just having the opportunity for the kids to see what 4-H is all about is fun."

"This year we hired a part-time person to work with the Clover Kids program," said Ann Schoenrock, County Youth Coordinator.

Volunteers have run the program in Hinton and Remsen, as well as in Le Mars. Clover Kids has been in Plymouth County about 10 years, although not in every location each year.

"This is the first time for Kingsley to have the Clover Kids program," Schoenrock added. "We hope to grow the program in the county. It's also a boost for our 4-H enrollment."

For information on the local Clover Kids program contact Schoenrock or Carol Schneider, County Extension Education Director, at the Plymouth County Extension Office, 546-7835.