The COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on childhood education across grade levels. The Klamath County School District, which partners with Oregon State University Extension Service’s 4-H Youth Development Program, was concerned with the education and social gaps in students from kindergarten through the third grade.
Working with teachers who are also 4-H volunteer leaders, 4-H created an immersive Cloverbud day camp at the Klamath County Fairgrounds. The event exposed the children to different 4-H project areas and promoted positive peer interactions. OSU Extension’s 4-H Cloverbud Program is an informal education program designed for youths ages 5-8. Cloverbud 4-H has become popular in Klamath County over the past three years averaging 30-60 members a year.
The Cloverbuds rotated among seven learning stations, including gardening, crafting, making T-shirts, mini horses, swine and small animals, and the new Cloverbud Record Book. The camp, which was free, included snacks, exercise and a healthy lunch.
Twenty-four of Klamath 4-H’s 32 enrolled Cloverbuds attended the camp, which was staffed by Extension employees, 4-H adult volunteers and 4-H teen and junior leaders. According to a pre-camp survey, only five Cloverbuds said they knew the other kids at the camp. After the camp, that number increased to 21. In the post-camp survey, 23 said they liked the camp. All 24 said they would attend the camp if it was held again in 2023.