How Can I Participate in 4-H?

4-H is a learning-by-doing program for kids. If you are age 5-18, there are several ways you can participate in 4-H: in school, afterschool, clubs, and camps. Through 4-H, you can develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills to help you reach your full potential.

4-Her building a robot9-18 Years Old

4-H offers many hands-on learning opportunities that can produce a positive impact in your community. 4-Hers may participate in projects ranging from photography to robotics to animal science.

Youth and adults work together to create a safe educational environment that promotes learning life skills. 4-H activities are available at the club, county, state, and national level.

Youth ages 14-18 may participate in the Maine 4-H Agricultural Leadership Ambassador Program.

5-8 Years Old (Cloverbuds)

4-Her holding up a string during a science experimentWhat is a Cloverbud?

Cloverbud is a term used to identify 4-H members who are 5 through 8 years old. Any Maine youth between the ages of 5 and 8 years old may join the 4-H program.

Participation, safety, personal development, learning, and fun in a cooperative, non-competitive setting are the priorities of the Cloverbud program. Cloverbuds experience programs that are developmentally appropriate, activity-oriented, involve cooperative learning, and are focused on learning activity skills and life skills through a wide variety of topic areas. Participation in activities is available at the club, county, and state level.

Cloverbud Events

Cloverbud Project Records

Maine 4-H Cloverbud Policy

Cloverbuds and Animal Activities

The over-arching priority for the Cloverbud program is first and foremost safety for Maine’s 5 to 8 year old members and secondly that these members receive programming that fits their stage of development. Maine’s Cloverbud program provides fun, participation, love of learning, the experience of success, an introduction to all of the 4-H curriculum areas, and a chance to develop on-going relationships with adults and older teens beyond the family. Volunteers and parents should keep firmly in mind that while animal activities are an important tool to help achieve these goals, they are just that, a tool, and as such must always be used to promote the key goals of the Cloverbud program.