Staff photos / J. T. Whitehouse . . . Approximately 150 young explorers attended a 4-H Cloverbud Camp on Tuesday at the event center at Canfield Fairgrounds. The theme this year is space exploration. Placing a final speck of glue on his crafted space alien friend is Braxton Hamilton, 6, of Canfield, who had help from Next Generation 4-H Club member Everett Zippay of Goshen, left, and OSU Extension 4-H intern Kate King.

CANFIELD — Approximately 150 young explorers attended a space exploration-themed 4-H Cloverbud Camp on Tuesday at the event center at the Canfield Fairgrounds.

The camp continues today.

Alex Kennedy, urban 4-H educator, said the camp is aimed at children ages 5 to 8. The age range is where Cloverbuds fit into the 4-H program, but those attending do not need to be a 4-H member.

“The Cloverbud Camp is open to all children,” Kennedy said. “You don’t have to be a 4-H member. In fact, the camp is a great way for kids to experience 4-H for the first time.”

She said the camp displays the kind of fun 4-H kids can have. The event not only shows children various skills but also offers the opportunity for 4-H interns to gain experience. To put on such a camp requires interns and teen 4-H club members.

Tuesday’s space camp featured multiple stations and activities all centered around space. Participants made a space alien, did a robot moon rock transfer using pool noodles as robot arms and launched a crafted spaceship. The activities were based around STEM education.

In the launch, participants made a rocket ship that used water and Alka-Seltzer tablets for fuel. Some rockets soared nearly 20 feet.

“We have a lot of fun activities,” Kennedy said.

The space aliens were made from tin foil, clear cups, paper plates and lots of craft supplies. After the session, a short break to wash white glue off of little hands took place.

The robot moon rock race built team skills as participants raced each other in a relay. Using pool noodles as robot arms, the kids had to pick up a foil covered ball and transfer it to the other side of the event center, rush back and give the robot arms to the next team member.

Another fun project was a hallway that contained red yarn, taped from wall to wall or wall to floor. The yarn represented laser beams, and campers had to maneuver through a maze by ducking, stepping over and sliding under the make-believe lasers.

The camp cost $30, which helped cover the cost of materials. Staff working with the kids were OSU Extension interns or teen 4-H club members who volunteered their time.

For information on the local 4-H programs, visit https://mahoning.osu.edu/ and see 4-H under “program areas.”