Contents Enjoy My Children Budding Camp Experiences Fairgrounds Buzz with 'Buds Campus Connection Vegetable Robots Friendships During Childhood

Enjoy My Children

Parenthood means hard work and long hours. It has its share of worries and frustration. Many times parenting is not much fun. I find that if I can enjoy my kids, parenting is no longer a chore. When I was a child I enjoyed gardening with my dad. When Dad was weeding or picking veggies I would hang out with him. Conversations wandered to lots of things while we worked. Now I enjoy gardening with my daughters. They hang around and pick a few beans, nibble on the carrots, and we enjoy a relaxed conversation. It is a simple activity that helps us share each other' s companionship.

Enjoying my kids is sometimes just taking a fresh look at my frame of mind. It is a greater awareness of the rest of the family and looking at the lighter side. When something doesn't go right, it helps to be able to laugh together about it rather than to reprimand. Enjoying my kids is simply watching them when they are not aware and marveling at who they are. The following things I do to find enjoyment:

• Find a hobby that you and your child can do together. A craft project, an animal you can train together, collecting something, etc.
• Watch a favorite TV show together.
• Have a family game night. Sunday nights was our family night to play cards or a board game.
• Take a walk or bike ride to your favorite spot.
• Be spontaneous. Take advantage of the moment and enjoy silly things.
• Listen. Take time to be in your child's space and listen. Sit down and take an interest in what he or she has to say.

D. Craig Fenske Source: WSU Cooperative Extension Connections. Vol. 4, No. 5, Page 2.

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Budding Camp Experiences

Camping experiences can provide many wonderful memories for young people involved in 4-H. As I talk with Alumni and current members who have experienced camp they always have a story or two about things they did and learned. The Cloverbud advisors in Belmont County felt camping was an experience they would like to give the five through eight year old members. Youth would have the opportunity to learn new songs, play games and participate in a campfire led by teens trained as camp counselors, hiking, boating, swimming, nature study and craft projects.

The first year our Cloverbud Camp was held at Barkcamp State Park. Club advisors were responsible for camp planning and helped to instruct craR classes. Smokey the Bear visited and a Volunteer Fireman demonstrated what children should do in case of a fire. He also dressed a volunteer in the fireman's safety clothing so they could see how a fireman would appear and that children would not be afraid if ever confronted by a fireman in an emergency. Classes included a nature walk and two crafts. Children registered at 9:00 a.m. and brought a sack lunch to help keep costs down and hot dogs were prepared by the youth over a fire as part of the dinner meal.

The next year we held Cloverbud Camp at 4-H Camp Piedmont. Since the camp facility provided us with trained program staff, meals in the dining hall, and different facilities-planning was easier for the volunteers. Children were allowed to swim, boat, and hike. Also our goal was that youth become familiar with the setting for residential camping and when they became older and would be less anxious about preparing for Junior Camp. The children and adults enjoyed both of the camp settings we have utilized. Each setting offered similar successes and different challenges to build a unique experience for Cloverbud members.

Beverly M. Kelbaugh, Extension Agent 4-H Youth Development, Belmont County

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Fairgrounds Buzz with 'Buds

Scioto County has an annual day camp especially for their Cloverbuds. It is usually held in mid-July about 2 1/2 weeks before the county fair. Last year it was at the fairgrounds and we had more than 50 Cloverbuds participate. Each Cloverbud pays a $10.00 camp fee which helps buy program materials and lunch.

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. with arrival and registration. Next are games such as: parachute, circle relays, jump rope, etc. (all non-competitive). We made clay dough creations after our games. Lunch of hot dogs and chips is cooked and served by members of the 4H Committee. We took a short "Nature Hike" around the fairgrounds collecting leaves and sticks and other interesting things off the ground, which we later used to make nature rubbings (using crayon and paper). More crafts, games, music and dance followed. The day ended at 3:00 p.m. with a lot of tired Cloverbuds (and helpers).

Volunteers and Teen Leaders were a key to the success of the day camp. We recommend at least one volunteer for every eight Cloverbuds. Planning ahead is another key to a successful day camp. We hope to invite an entertainer to future day camps, one that performs specifically for the 5 to 8 year old age group. Good Luck with your own county day camp efforts!

Deborah K. Lewis, Extension Agent 4-H Youth Development, Lorain County, formerly Scioto County)

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Campus Connection

Hello again! It is great being back with Cloverbud Connections! Recently, a Cloverbud Stakeholder Evaluation was conducted in Ohio to gather the perceptions of individuals involved in the Cloverbud program. The individuals or stakeholders that were surveyed included parents of Cloverbud children and volunteers ofCloverbud groups or clubs. Stakeholder evaluations are essential for modifying or adjusting a program so it can work better.

On to the results, first, the response was exceptional for a summer survey! For each stakeholder group, 277 parents and 144 volunteers responded. The results overall were positive, with some excellent recommendations from the open-ended type questions. Suggestions ranged from updating the Cloverbud material, having Cloverbud clubs separate from 9-19 year-old groups, to decreasing cost of materials when possible.

Some specific findings were that:

1. 82% of the parents and 81% of the volunteers perceived the Cloverbud Curriculum to be beneficial;
2. 75% of the parents reported that they were involved with Cloverbud Activities at home with their children;
3. 86% of the parents and 85% of the volunteers agree or strongly agree with the statement that non-competitive activities are best for Cloverbud members;
4. 91% of the parents and 90% of the volunteers agree or strongly agree with the statement that the Cloverbud program overall is beneficial for young children.

I would like to thank all of the volunteers, parents, program assistants, and agents who participated in this evaluation. The information will help us in 4-H Youth Development better serve the children of Ohio.

Scott D. Scheer State Extension Specialist 4-H Youth Development, Preadolescent Education

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Vegetable Robots

Ingredients:

• Cherry Tomatoes, Celery, Carrots, Potatoes, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Squash, Peppers, Olives, Cucumber, Mushrooms, Radishes, Parsley or lettuce (for hair)
• To make robots, trains cars, airplanes, ships, helicopters, space ships. Use large vegetables like: Potatoes, Whole Squash or Cucumbers
• To make wheels Slices of Cucumber, Squash, Carrots, or Potatoes
• To make arms Carrot Sticks or Celery Sticks
• To make bodies Broccoli Florets, Peppers, Mushrooms, Carrot Pieces, or Cucumber Pieces
• To make eyes Olives, Raisins, or Pimento Pieces

Directions:

1. Wash all the vegetables.
2. Peel the ones that need to be peeled, cut some into pieces, and leave some whole.
3. Get a pile of toothpicks.
4. Put the pieces together with the toothpicks. 5. Eat as your salad,or serve with a dip.

Serving Ideas:

Put several on a platter and make a great centerpiece for the table, then eat it as your salad.

Party idea:

Let each guest use their imagination and create their own Vegetable Robot.

Source: Fun with Kids in the Kitchen Cookbook. Judy Rogers, The Health Connection. pp. 58-59. I

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Friendships During Childhood

Although the importance of childhood friendship is often overlooked, children, like adults need friends. Research shows that children who do not develop the skills needed to initiate and nurture social attachments are more likely to suffer health problems, emotional distress and personality disturbances during adulthood.

According to Tommie Lawhon, a Professor in Child Development and family studies at the University of North Texas, "Children need assistance in learning how to:

• show concern and empathy
• share toys, activities and attention
• restrain themselves from blurting negative comments
• reword statements
• keep confidentiality
• develop social problem-solving skills
• be accepting of others
• show joy and positive feelings
• respond to ideas and requests
• deal with aggression
• play flexibly and cooperatively
• evaluate and move away from "harmful friendships."

Parents, Cloverbud volunteers, teachers and other adults can help children develop social skills by cultivating climates that encourage thoughtfulness, teamwork, kindness and cooperation. Two researchers, Honing and Whitmer, say, "The more nurturing parents and caregivers are, the more positive affection and responsive, empathic care they provide - the more positively children will relate in social interaction..." Children imitate what they see. They are more likely to make good decisions about friendships when they have good relationships with adults.

Sources: Honig. A.S & Whiftmer, D.S. (1996). Helping children become more prosocial: Ideas for classrooms, families, schools, and communities. Young Children 51(2), 62-70. Lawhon, T. (1997). Encouraging friendships among children Childhood Education 73(4), 228-231. Submitted by: Joyce A. Shriner, Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Sciences, Hocking County.

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Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ad. Admin. and Director, OSU Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868