Charlotte, the eight-legged Cloverbud leader

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One thing many people don’t know about me is that I have a pink spider about the size of my hand. It’s not a Halloween decoration, it’s Charlotte, the Chilean rosehair tarantula. Since 2006, Charlotte has been teaching people of all ages about spiders, insects and other arthropods.

Charlotte has traveled all over Bureau County, from Walnut to Spring Valley and everywhere in between. She’s even been to a conference in Decatur. And in the next week or so, she’ll be visiting the Bureau County Cloverbuds at their next meeting.

What is Cloverbuds? Cloverbuds is a special 4-H program for youth ages 5-7 and not yet in third grade as of Sept. 1. The county-wide Cloverbud group meets monthly from October through April, and each month they learn about a different topic through a series of fun, hands-on activities. The first meeting is scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Bureau County Farm Bureau, and the theme will be “Spiders are Special.” That’s where Charlotte comes in.

Do you need a live spider to teach people about spiders? No. But in Cloverbuds, as with other 4-H programs, we like to focus on hands-on learning when we can. Don’t worry – the Cloverbuds won’t actually be touching Charlotte (in fact, the cage lid will be taped closed) but they will get an opportunity to do some safe, direct observation of a spider that is large enough they can identify all of the parts that make her a spider and not an insect. Since spiders molt when they grow, Charlotte has also provided a very nice shed exoskeleton that the kids can examine more closely (and possibly even touch) without any danger involved.

Because Cloverbuds are ages 5-7, the meetings generally feature a variety of short activities, rather than one or two longer ones. The activities provide opportunities to practice social skills and develop motor skills. They are also fun because one goal of the Cloverbud program is to help youth enjoy learning new things. For example, at a spider-themed meeting, Cloverbuds might make a spider craft, play a spider-themed game, touch and examine plastic model spiders, read a story about spiders, or do other similar types of activities to learn about spiders and what makes them similar to and different from insects.

The Cloverbud program tries to provide the same “essential elements” of youth development as other 4-H programs – belonging, mastery, generosity, and independence (see http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/about/4h_elements.htm), but in ways that are age-appropriate.

Cloverbuds provides an opportunity for children to “belong” to a group, where they feel safe and accepted by others.

While Cloverbuds don’t always “master” project areas in the same way that older 4-Hers do, they gain a sense of accomplishment from finishing activities and projects at their meetings. This helps with development of self-confidence and a willingness to try new things.

Cloverbuds are encouraged to help one another with activities and to work cooperatively – things that will hopefully lead to a spirit of generosity.

Cloverbuds do have opportunities to experience independence as well – while their activities are always well supervised by adults, they are able to make some of their own choices. For example, Cloverbuds might decide how to decorate a craft project, where they would like to sit during the meeting, or what they will do when it is their turn in a game.

Cloverbuds is open to all youth ages 5-7 and not yet in third grade. All families who are interested are welcome to attend the first meeting. Please note a parent/guardian or older friend (age 16+) must attend the meetings with the child. Families and siblings are welcome at all Cloverbud events. If spiders aren’t your thing, you can pick up a full meeting schedule at the Extension office. New members are welcome at any time during the year.

For more information about the 4-H Cloverbud program, please contact the University of Illinois Extension office at (815) 875-2878. Unfortunately Charlotte the spider is not able to answer phone calls, but she is available for face-to-face meetings!

Jennifer Caldwell is program coordinator for 4-H and youth development with the University of Illinois Extension office of Bureau County.

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