Clover Kids | Nebraska Extension in Custer County | Nebraska Extension

DEPARTMENT CLOVER KIDS

4-H entries must be made according to the printed 2026 Custer County Fair Premium Book and entered online by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Instructions for online entries will be emailed to 4-H families on approximately May 15. ALL Clover Kid entries will be interview judged on Wednesday, July 22, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the 4-H Exhibit Hall (except entries in the 4-H Clover Kid Small Animal Pet Show and 4-H Clover Kid Bucket Calf Interview Judging. See descriptions for those entries below).

Participation Ribbons........$.75

FAMILY CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE WORLD

CLASS F100001 Mexican Poster or Collage - Make a poster or collage about Mexico. Poster/Collage should be made on posterboard 14" x 22" in size, horizontal or vertical placement. If member is creating a collage, include what kind of animals live there, what the weather is like, what kinds of clothing are worn, what kinds of games and sports children play in Mexico, and what kinds of food are eaten in Mexico. If a member is creating a poster, select one of the above topics as a main theme.

CLASS F100002 Japanese Poster or Collage - Make a poster or collage about Japan. Poster/Collage should be made on posterboard 14" x 22" in size, horizontal or vertical placement. If member is creating a collage, include what kind of animals live there, what the weather is like, what kinds of clothing are worn, what kinds of games and sports children play in Japan, and what kinds of food are eaten in Japan. If a member is creating a poster, select one of the above topics as a main theme.

CLASS F100003 German Poster or Collage - Make a poster or collage about Germany. Poster/Collage should be made on posterboard 14" x 22" in size, horizontal or vertical placement. If member is creating a collage, include what kind of animals live there, what the weather is like, what kinds of clothing are worn, what kinds of games and sports children play in Germany, and what kinds of food are eaten in Germany. If a member is creating a poster, select one of the above topics as a main theme.

CLASS F100004 Indian Poster or Collage - Make a poster or collage about India. Poster/Collage should be made on posterboard 14" x 22" in size, horizontal or vertical placement. If member is creating a collage, include what kind of animals live there, what the weather is like, what kinds of clothing are worn, what kinds of games and sports children play in India, and what kinds of food are eaten in India. If a member is creating a poster, select one of the above topics as a main theme.

CLASS F100005 African Poster or Collage - Make a poster or collage about an African country, such as Zimbabwe, Nigeria, or Ethiopia. Poster/Collage should be made on posterboard 14" x 22" in size, horizontal or vertical placement. If member is creating a collage, include what kind of animals live there, what the weather is like, what kinds of clothing are worn, what kinds of games and sports children play in that country, and what kinds of food are eaten in the country. If a member is creating a poster, select one of the above topics as a main theme.

THEATER ARTS, UNIT 1

CLASS F110001 Theater Arts Journal - Journal should be bound in a notebook or folder. Journal should include activities from the Theater Arts 1 member’s manual.

CLASS F110002 Poster - Create a poster, size 14" x 22", either horizontal or vertical, on posterboard, showing the clown face you have created for yourself. Include your clown name on the poster.

MAKING FOOD FOR ME

CLASS F120001 Making Food For Me Placemat - Colored and decorated. Lamination or protection with clear contact paper advised. (Center page in project book - Save a Place For Me!)

CLASS F120002 Food Cards - Neatly cut and colored Food Cards, in self-sealing plastic bag or other secure container. (Pages 67 - 69 Leaders Guide.)

CLASS F120003 Grain Collage - Neatly cut and pasted pictures of grains, cut out and displayed on collage. (Page 40 Leaders Guide.)

CLASS F120004 Dairy Tasting Party - Completed Dairy Tasting Party form from project book (Page 17). May be copied or cut from manual.

CLASS F120005 Protein Collage - Neatly cut and pasted pictures of protein sources and foods displayed on collage. (Page 53 of Leaders Guide.)

BICYCLE ADVENTURES 1

CLASS F130001 Bicycle Parts Poster - Create a poster on posterboard showing the parts of the bicycle. Poster may range in size from 8½" x 11" to 14" x 22", either vertical or horizontal placement. Poster should include a photograph, picture, or drawing of a bicycle. Label the parts of the bicycle with the parts listed on page 10 of the manual. Idea...the photograph could be of your own bike!

CLASS F130002 Safety Poster - Create a poster on posterboard showing one safety idea you have learned from the project manual. Poster should be 14" x 22", either vertical or horizontal placement. Ideas for safety topics include traffic signs, signaling, ABC bike check, finding the correct size bike for you, body protection, etc. Be creative!

A SPACE FOR ME

4-H entries must be made according to the printed 2026 Custer County Fair Premium Book and entered online by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Instructions for online entries will be emailed to 4-H families on approximately May 15. Exhibits will be interview judged on Wednesday, July 22, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the 4-H Exhibit Hall. Instructions for “A Space For Me” exhibits are on the Helper’s Guide, available at https://marketplace.unl.edu/default/4h201all.html as a download.

CLASS F140001 Treasure Board

CLASS F140002 Decorative Storage Box or Container - Decorate a storage box or container to save space or use space wisely in your room.

CLASS F140003 Vintage Suitcase Storage

CLASS F140004 No-Sew Pillow

CLASS F140005 Coat Hooks or Hangers

CLASS F140006 Decorated Laundry Bag or Hamper

CLASS F140007 Draft Stopper

CLASS F140008 Recycling Box - Create an item for recycling items around the home. Example - recycling newspapers, pop cans, plastics.

CLASS F140009 Paint a Container - Paint a container to decorate your room.

CLASS F140010 Swirl Painting Refrigerator Magnet

CLASS F140011 Pizza Color Wheel

CLASS F140012 Sponge Paint a Picture

CLASS F140013 Decorate a Picture Frame

CLASS F140014 Scratch Art - made according to instructions in the Helper’s Guide CD.

CLASS F140015 Plastic Canvas Wall Hanging

JUST OUTSIDE THE DOOR

CLASS F150001 Insect Model - Made according to directions on page 13 of Just Outside the Door Leader’s Guide.

CLASS F150002 Bug Mask - Made according to directions on page 20 of Just Outside the Door Leader’s Guide.

CLASS F150003 Roasted/Toasted Seeds - Made according to directions on page 28 of Just Outside the Door Leader’s Guide. Place seeds in a self-sealing bag of appropriate size.

CLASS F150004 Toasted Walnuts - Made according to directions on page 28 of Just Outside the Door Leader’s Guide. Place walnuts in a self-sealing bag of appropriate size.

CLASS F150005 Seed Medallion/Ornament - Made according to directions on page 28 of Just Outside the Door Leader’s Guide.

CLASS F150006 Stain Painting - Made according to directions on page 32 of Just Outside the Door Leader’s Guide. The Stain Painting may be applied to an article of clothing (such as a t-shirt, cap, or book bag) or on a piece of cloth and mounted in a hoop or frame as a wall hanging.

CLASS F150007 Bird Feeder - Made according to directions on page 40 “Feeding Birds” of Just Outside the Door Leader’s Guide.

AEROSPACE UNIT 1

CLASS F160001 Wonderful Wings exercise - made according to directions on pages 6-8 in the manual.

CLASS F160002 Space Buggy. Design and make a spacecraft from household items or items that could be re-used instead of being thrown away. Materials list: scissors, glue, assorted clean household materials such as paper towel tubes, tissue boxes, plastic bottles, etc... Draw a picture design of your buggy on a sheet of paper. Be able to explain to the judge the job(s) your space buggy is designed to do.

CLASS F160003 Space Station. Draw a design of what you think an International Space Station of the future might look like. Using household items build a model of that station. Be able to explain to the judge how scientists would use your Space Station.

CLASS F160004 Single stage rockets up to 15 inches (38.1 cm) in length. Rockets must be supported substantially to protect the rocket from breakage. Rockets are to be mounted on a base that has dimensions equal or less than 12" x 12" and the base should be 3/4" thick. No metal bases. If the rocket fins extend beyond the edges of the required base (12” x 12”), then construct a base that is large enough to protect the fins. The base size is dictated by the size of the rocket fins. The rockets must be mounted vertically. Please do not attach sideboards or backdrops to the displays. In addition, a used engine or length of dowel pin is to be glued and/or screwed into the board and extended up into the rockets engine mount to give added stability. Rockets must be equipped as prepared for launching, with wadding and parachute or other recovery system. Rockets entered with live engines will be disqualified. It is suggested that rockets go through three (3) launches. The 4-H member should be prepared to explain to the judge the number of launchings, weather conditions at the time of the launches, how the weather may have played a factor in how high the rocket flew, and recovery success.

CLOVER KIDS JUNE JAMBOREE - FOR CLOVER KIDS ONLY

These county fair classes are for Clover Kids who have participated in a 2026 June Jamboree program. These June Jamboree classes can be for Clover Kid June Jamboree programs that may not fit into a Clover Kid project area class. June Jamboree programs are special programs conducted by Extension Staff during the month of June.

CLASS F180001 CLOVER KIDS - A POSTER 14" x 22" showing what you did in any Clover Kid June Jamboree activity.

CLASS F180002 CLOVER KIDS - WRITE A STORY, 500 words or less, about your experiences in a Clover Kid June Jamboree activity. May include more than one activity.

CLASS F180003 CLOVER KIDS - ONE ITEM CONSTRUCTED during any Clover Kid June Jamboree activity. This may be an item that was constructed during a Clover Kid June Jamboree activity that does not fit into any other Clover Kid project class.

CLOVER KID ANIMAL CARETAKER

CLASS F170001 4-H Clover Kid Small Animal Pet Show - will be held on Sunday, July 26, 5:00 p.m. at the Shooting Sports Building (Building 18), directly west of the Grandstand. 4-H entries must be made according to the printed 2026 Custer County Fair Premium Book and entered online by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Instructions for online entries will be emailed to 4-H families on approximately May 15. The Nebraska Certificate of Vaccination must be turned in to the Extension Office by 5:00 p.m. on June 26 for all cats, dogs, and ferrets that will be shown. Please turn in the original vaccination form with original signatures - no photocopies or email copies. One form is available for dogs and another form is available for cats and ferrets. This form is available at the Extension Office. (See more information below.) Please indicate what type of small animal you will be exhibiting when making the entry online. Animals that are eligible for the small animal pet show for Clover Kids include: mice, rats, gerbils, tropical fish, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, dogs, rabbits, reptiles, ant farms, amphibians, pet rabbits, and caged birds. Limit of one entry. Exhibitors must register at 4:30-4:45 p.m. An exhibit is composed of the animal(s) and cage or tank. Each exhibitor is required to furnish their own cage or tank, and a carpet square or mat for the animal to be shown on. All cats must have a collar and be on a leash. The exhibit can contain from one to five animals. The exhibit will be judged as a whole; both animal(s) and the facility in which they are displayed will be considered during the judging of the exhibit. Exhibitors will be asked to speak on the microphone and tell the audience about their pet; what is the pet's name, what does the pet eat, what are the pet's habits, etc. Each exhibitor may also be asked an impromptu question to test their knowledge of their pet.

Health & Vaccinations: Animals shall be free of fleas, ticks, ear mites, lice, any internal and external parasites, ringworm, and/or infectious diseases. Any animal showing signs of parasites or disease will not be judged and will be asked to leave the show. Exhibitors are discouraged from entering expectant or nursing mothers.

***The Nebraska Certificate of Vaccination MUST be turned in to the Extension Office by 5:00 p.m. on June 26 for dogs, cats, and ferrets which will be shown***. Please turn in the original vaccination form with original signatures - no photocopies or email copies. One form is available for dogs and another form is available for cats and ferrets. This form is available at the Extension Office.

Cats are required to be current on their vaccinations of rabies, panleukopenia, viral rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus. Cats must either have a current feline leukemia vaccination or proof of a negative test within 180 days of the show. Proof of vaccinations must be submitted to the Extension Office by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Participants should have their veterinarian fill out and sign the “Nebraska Cat/Ferret Vaccination Record Form”. Exhibitors will not be allowed to show without a signed Vaccination Record Form.

Ferrets must be vaccinated for rabies and have a completed health form signed by the administering veterinarian turned into the Extension Office by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. A rabies vaccination is federally mandated to be given by a Certified Veterinarian ONLY. This vaccination must be current and include a veterinarian signature on the Vaccination Record Form.

All dogs must be immunized for distemper, hepatitis, parvo and rabies. The Nebraska 4-H Certificate of Vaccination for Dogs Form must be filled out and signed by a veterinarian and turned in to the Extension Office by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Please turn in the original vaccination form with original signatures - no photocopies or email copies. The Nebraska 4-H Certificate of Vaccination for Dogs Form must document all vaccinations within 1 year or 3 years depending on the vaccine given. All required vaccinations must be given within 1 to 3 years of the show date based on label guidelines. All vaccinations must be in effect at the time of the county fair dog show. Explanation: Some vaccinations are viable for one year and some vaccinations are viable for three years but are specifically designed and administered according to their label. It is not acceptable nor allowed to vaccinate a dog with a 1-year vaccine and plan to have it in effect for 3 years.

If animals are not declawed, the claws must be clipped.

Exhibitors are expected to clean-up after their pet. This includes all areas while on the fairgrounds. Exhibitors are required to wear a white shirt or blouse with 4-H chevron or a Custer County 4-H T-shirt and jeans/slacks.

CLASS F170002 4-H Clover Kid Bucket Calf Interview Judging - will be held on Wednesday, July 29. 4-H entries must be made according to the printed 2026 Custer County Fair Premium Book and entered online by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Instructions for online entries will be emailed to 4-H families on approximately May 15.

This bucket calf exhibit will ONLY be for Clover Kids who are ages 6 and 7 years of age, before January 1, 2026. Clover Kids exhibiting in the Clover Kid Bucket Calf show must be enrolled in the Clover Kids Animals project. The bucket calf exhibit is included in the three (3) entry limit for Clover Kids at the county fair. Clover Kids may only show 1 bucket calf. Identification forms are not required for Clover Kid bucket calves. Eartags are not required for Clover Kid bucket calves. Clover Kid bucket calves will be brought to the county fair on the day of the show and will be taken home the same day, following the show.

The Clover Kid bucket calf interviews will be held on Wednesday, July 29 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Exhibitors are required to wear a white shirt or blouse with 4-H chevron or a Custer County 4-H T-shirt and jeans/slacks. The Clover Kid bucket calf parade will be held following the 4-H Breeding Heifer Show on Wednesday, July 29. Clover Kid bucket calves CANNOT be shown in Monday’s bucket calf competition or vice versa. Clover Kids exhibiting bucket calves will receive a participation ribbon.

All calves must have been born between January 1 and May 15 of the current year and raised by artificial means. Bucket calves must be castrated (if bulls). Calves should be clean and brushed. 4-H'ers should have knowledge concerning the proper care of their bucket calf. Calves will be shown by rope halters only. The quality and breed of the calf will not be considered, since the purchase is not made on that basis.

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