Contents Dealing with Volunteer Liability Safety on Two Wheels Campus Connection Safety Resources Refreshment Break When Can My Child Ride A Horse

Dealing with Volunteer Liability

We are living in an increasingly litigious society where we often hear about the many threats and/or filing of frivolous and non-frivolous lawsuits relating to youth. It is NOT something that should frighten us to the point of not volunteering to help the youth in our communities. However, it does challenge us to work to provide the best education and safest environment possible for the Cloverbuds we are working with. Remember, the goal of the Ohio eH Cloverbud Program is to provide developmentally appropriate activities for youth between the ages of five and eight. In doing so, we can help them build a foundation that enables these members to develop into capable, competent, caring, and contributing citizens.

Volunteer risk management strategies can be a part of your ongoing planning and conducting of Cloverbud Programming opportunities. These strategies are more than taking out an insurance policy or having the parents sign a release/waiver form. Listed here are a few helpful risk management hints for you to utilize as volunteers working with Cloverbuds:

1. Be sure the Cloverbud's parent(s) or guardian(s) are well informed of the activities and programs in which their children participate. Often, the parent(s) or guardian(s) can alert the volunteers of special situations/circumstances that may assist volunteers in providing a positive environment.

   This can happen best in an environment that encourages communication between the volunteer(s) and the Cloverbud's parent(s) or guardian(s).

2. Generally, provide one adult (or responsible older youth) for every six children; however, some activities may require fewer children for every adult.
3. Review your signed Ohio 4-H volunteer standards of behavior. Volunteers should display behaviors and conduct programs that are consistent with these standards. The standards are not meant to question one's abilities or integrity, but are in place to better insure the safety and well being of all 4-H members.
4. Challenge yourself to better understand the various developmental levels of youth and their implications on activities you plan and conduct.
5. Follow all Cloverbud and 4-H policies. We may sometimes think that a particular policy is not needed and therefore may choose to not follow it, however, such an act can lead to increased liability if a child is injured.
6. Participate in local, district, or state orientation and training opportunities. Such programs increase a volunteer's ability to provide education and safe programming opportunities for youth.

4-H Cloverbud volunteers are valuable resources to thousands of children in the Ohio 4-H program. Potential liability issues should not stop the wonderful relationships and programs from happening in your communities. Therefore by following these risk management techniques you can provide the safest and most educational program for your Cloverbuds.

Source: Jeff King, Associate State Leader, 4-H Youth Development, Ohio State University Extension.

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Safety on Two Wheels

ACTIVITY
Plan an obstacle course to do at home.

EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES
Paper, pencils, crayons or markers.

BACKGROUND
According to a survey by the U. S. Public Health Service, bicycle riding is the most popular activity with children up to age 9. Bicycles are not toys; they are vehicles, just like cars and trucks. So, children on bicycles are also drivers who must know and obey the safety rules of the road.

Here are the most important bicycle safety rules. Wear a helmet and bright-colored clothing. Ride on the right side of the road. Use hand signals so other drivers will know where you are going. Ride on a street where there is room for both cars and bicycles. Obey all traffic laws and all stop signs. Pedal steadily and smoothly. Keep both hands on the handlebars and eyes on the road. Carry only one person per seat. If riding at night, use a bright headlight and taillight. Be sure no seats, spokes, or handlebars are loose. Set the seat so that your foot can touch the pedal at the lowest point.

PROCEDURE
"How many of you have a bicycle? Tell about the first time you learned to ride it. Who helped you? What did you do first? Second? Third? Did you need training wheels? Why? What did it feel like when you were able to ride by yourself for the very first time? What are some causes of bicycle accidents? Have you ever had a bicycle accident? What did you learn from it? What are some things you do to be safe when you ride your bicycle?

"What is an obstacle course? What does one look like? How are they used? How would you make one? Today we are going to plan out an obstacle course that you can set up and use at home.

Figure 8 Test-Lay out a double line shaped like an 8. Pedal around it without touching the edges.

Rock Dodge-Place some sponges in a straight line about 6 feet apart. Ride up to a sponge. Then turn the front wheel a little in one direction until you are past the sponge. Then turn back while keeping a straight line. Keep going until you weave around all the sponges (rocks).

Panic Stop-Set up a starting point for braking. Head toward it. Then brake hard shifting your weight to the rear of the bicycle. Mark your point with chalk where you stopped.

Weaving-Place 8 cans in a line about 8 feet apart. Mark off 16 feet after the last can. Sitting up straight, pedal at a steady pace weaving inside and around the cans without touching or knocking over the cans. You must stop within 12 inches of the finish line. Students and teachers may add other tests for the obstacle course.

SHARING
"How do you let other drivers know you are turning left? right? What do you do to show that you ave going to stop? Why should you wear a helmet? " Play what if…Ask, "What if you're riding your bike and you hear emergency sirens? What if your friend wants to hitch a ride on your handlebars? " Allow the children to think of'what if' situations to ask and discuss.

Adapted From: North Carolina Cooperative Extension Sewice School-age Care Cuwiculum, Pages 56-57.

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Campus Connection

This is a wonderful time of the year to be outside with Cloverbud activities. The great outdoors stimulates our senses with the birds singing, the wind blowing, and the sun shining. At the same time, with children playing more outside and out of school, they are at greater risk of having accidents. Accidents are the leading cause of injury and death for children. Therefore, "safety" is an important piece of our program for young children.

Cloverbud activities are designed to be safe and fun. Special consideration must be given to ensure the safety of Cloverbud-aged children. Many 5 to 8 year-olds are not aware of realistic dangers surrounding animals, kitchen appliances, and outdoor activities (bicycle riding, etc.). Children often do not understand adult instruction, nor the consequences associated with not following directions (Shutske, 1995). Consequently, Cloverbud activities must be low risk and safe, especially since a child may not participate as directed.

As a Cloverbud Leader, your time and attention given toward making Cloverbud activities safe is essential for promoting healthy development. By making the activities safe they can be successful. When children experience success, they gain confidence and self-esteem by safely mastering Cloverbud activities. Self-esteem and optimism are by-products of doing well and being successful (Seligman, 1995).

Remember the ultimate goal of Cloverbuds is the same as the 9-19 year-old 4-H program, which is the development of 4-H youth to become capable, competent, caring, and contributing citizens. I look forward to sharing more information with you in the future.

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

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Safety Resources

These safety resources may be used to enhance the "Safe At Home" lesson in the Cloverbud notebook. Always discuss, in advance, any adaptations that you want to make in the Cloverbud curriculum with your local 4-H Agent.

The Safety Book For Active Kids by Linda Schwartz was published by the Learning Works, Inc. in 1995.

Every Kid's Guide to Responding to Danger, written by Joy Berry and published by Children's Press in 1987.

Safety First Outdoors and Safety First Home were both written by Cynthia Fitterer Klingel and published by Creative Education in 1986.

The Central Ohio Poison Center at Children's Hospital has low cost resources on safety. Phone to request an order form: 1-800-682-7625.

Source: Joyce A. Shriner, Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Sciences, Hocking County.

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Refreshment Break

Orangeade Cooler

As you prepare this drink, talk with your Cloverbuds about safe ways to use electrical appliances.

2 c. - unsweetened orange juice
1 c. - unsweetened pineapple juice
1 Tbsp. - lemon juice
3 Tbsp. - sugar
6 - ice cubes

Put all ingredients in a blender. Blend for 5 seconds. Makes about 3 cups.

Source: Joyce A. Shriner, Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Sciences, Hocking County.

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When Can My Child Ride A Horse

Your Child Should Have:

• The desire to ride
• Muscle strength to hold the proper position in the saddle
• The balance to remain on the horse
• The ability to understand instructions and follow directions
• Sufficient attention span for instruction
• Neck muscles strong enough to support fitted, approved protective headgear

The Horse Should Be:

• Suitable for children with a quiet, calm nature
• Small enough to allow the child's legs to be under his/her body, and the foot to be halfway down the side of the horse.

The Equipment Should Include:

• A saddle that fits the size of the child
• A saddle that Fits the size of the horse

Then You'll Need A Qualified Instructor Who:

• Has experience and patience to work with young children
• Has appropriate discipline and control of the program
• Teaches in a fashion to allow progressive development of motor skills
• Has knowledge of riding skills appropriate for the age of the child
• Has facilities with a small closed ring away from motorized traffic, other horses and disruptive activities
• Has a successful background of working with children in an equestrian program Look for certification by recognized, national organization.

Did You Know?

• No child should ride a horse without the appropriate skills and level of development for riding.
• No adult or child should ride double with an infant or child.

Source: American Medical Equestrian Association.

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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