By Ashley M. Casey

Staff Writer

When you hear of a 4-H club, you probably think of kids brushing their prize calf before stepping into the show ring at the State Fair. But in Liverpool, Holsteins are hard to find.

That hasn’t stopped a group of families from forming their own 4-H club for the northern suburbs. While there are many Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops in the area, 4-H brings both girls and boys together to serve their community and expand their knowledge of the world around them. The Orange Clovers officially formed in October 2017, and instead of the agricultural projects often associated with 4-H, they are focusing on STEM activities and the outdoors.

Julie Niederhoff and her family moved to Liverpool about 10 years ago, when her oldest child, Katie, was 2 years old. Growing up in Ohio, Julie participated in 4-H, so when Katie was about 5, she began searching for a local 4-H club.

“I wasn’t familiar with Girl Scouts,” said Julie, adding that the prospect of hauling her daughter and sons to and from separate activities was unappealing.

While 4-H is rooted in farming, Julie said, the organization has always been about connecting one’s community with scientific advancement and hands-on learning.

“It very much translates to modern suburban and urban kids,” Julie said. “It’s really all about developing leadership skills, organizational skills, problem solving. … The principles of 4-H are timeless.”

This past summer, the Niederhoffs and their neighbors decided to give 4-H a try. The Orange Clovers now have 15 to 20 members. About half of them are “Cloverbuds,” or kids 5 to 8 years old. 4-H accepts members ranging in age from 5 to 19.

“The kids run the club. The kids serve as our officers and chairs,” Julie Niederhoff said. “Everybody has a job.”

Katie Niederhoff, 12, serves as the Orange Clovers’ treasurer. Her experience at a summer camp in the Adirondacks piqued her interest in 4-H. Katie said she also wants to delve into photography — an interest she shares with her mother — through 4-H projects.

4-H is more inclusive than other youth organizations, Katie said, and there is more freedom to do what you want.

“Some of my friends are in Girl Scouts, but they’re always talking about how they feel obligated to do things to get certain badges,” she said. “[4-H] is very friendly and pretty much anyone can do it. It’s a really good opportunity to make friends in a place other than school.”

The Orange Clovers selected “Rockets and Robotics” and “Outdoor Adventures” as their areas of focus. Clubs can order curriculum packets for each topic from 4-H and some materials are available online.

Lambros Alamond, 13, is president of the Orange Clovers. He lives near the Niederhoffs and joined the club early on.

“I heard that there was a lot of outdoor activities — I love camping,” Lambros said. “[4-H is] a great opportunity to meet a lot of new friends — and maybe join with some old friends.”

The club is planning a camping trip for late May or early June, possibly in the Adirondacks. Alamond said he is hoping to include fishing and hiking on the itinerary.

While much of the Orange Clovers’ activity is focused on the outdoors and STEM — at their March 25 meeting, they built and launched rockets with Jeff Peneston, director of educational programs at Camp Talooli — the group also aims to give back to their community.

At their meeting in October, the kids made fleece blankets for Project Linus, which provides blankets to comfort children in hospitals and shelters. The Orange Clovers also made valentines to send to kids at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. Alamond said he would like to participate in the Samaritan Center’s sandwich-making program for the homeless.

“It’s all about crafting, having fun and making the world a better place,” Katie said.