Squirrels 4 to 6 year olds

Squirrels are our youngest and newest age group, just recently founded following an extensive pilot programme.

Squirrels meet on a Friday at 5pm to 6pm (the same time as Beavers runs, and occasionally they will play together or do an activity together).

It actually brings us back to Brownsea Island where the first Scout camp was held back in 1907! Brownsea Island is one of the few places in the UK that red squirrels are still out in the wild so we have taken it all back to where it all began, for our youngest section. It’s also why the uniform will be a red jumper for the red squirrels on Brownsea Island.

Squirrels will follow the same Scouting structure as the other sections and the Squirrel promise will be the same as the Beaver one. There are a few things that make Squirrels unique;

• Child led learning.
• A focus on participation over achievement.
• Organic peer leadership. (No sixers or patrol leaders etc.) No leader role but give all Squirrels the opportunity to grown skills in leadership during Squirrel sessions.
• Adaptable and flexible sessions.
• Opening and Closing Ceremonies
• Stories for each session that link into the activity. Stories are available via the Activity Finder
• At least 1 Young Leader in each Drey.
• 1 community impact event programmed in each year.
• No camps or overnight experiences for now. These are still being trialed. However, you can follow the General Activity Guidance to help you plan and organise your Squirrels activity!

Ratios

• 1:6 inside. This includes outside area of regular meeting place.
• 1:4 outside.
• Plus a leader in charge.
• Minimum of 3 adults with at least 1 holding a full appointment.
• Maximum of 24 Squirrels per Drey.

The Programme

The programme

We’re really excited to share the Squirrels programme with you!

Each badge is packed with wow and wonder, perfect for anyone who’s ever asked ‘Why?’ (or ‘Why not?’). You’ll tell stories and play games. Get active and explore the outdoors. Become a brilliant builder and a super chef. There’s something for everyone – and that means that there’s something for you.

When designing the badges and activities for Squirrel Scouts, our goal was to create: 

• an age-appropriate programme,
• that meets the Theory of Change,
• and is respected by Early Years practitioners,
• without compromising our Scout values,
• which encourages community and home learning,​
• and works in areas of deprivation and for diverse ethnic communities.

 
To do this, we wrote, tested and updated a programme proposal with nearly 400 people to create badges full of adventure, fun, and, of course, skills.

Using these insights and feedback, we designed a curriculum consisting of:

• 12 Activity Badges
• four Challenge Awards
• a Top Award
• a Membership Award
• a Joining In Award
• a Moving On Award

We also decided that Squirrels would be able to earn Staged Activity Badges.

How to join

Lots of young people want to join Squirrels and you might have to wait for a space to become available before you can start your journey. If you have any questions about accessibility, it’s best to contact us in addition to your application. By being upfront about additional needs from the start, parents/carers can work in partnership with local leaders to make sure their young person has the best experience possible.

On your first night at Squirrels, you’ll be taking part in lots of activities, and should just wear something you feel comfortable in, like sportswear and trainers.

Your parent or guardian will need to stay with you during the session, at least for the first few weeks till you get used to it.
Eventually, you’ll get your own Squirrel uniform to wear to meetings and on trips. Wearing a uniform is comfy and practical. It means no one feels uncomfortable or left out and helps everyone to feel a part of the drey. It also gives you a place to show off all the Squirrel badges you earn.

For Squirrels, the uniform consists of a red t-shirt, polo shirt or red sweatshirt with your badges sewn on and a coloured scarf or ‘necker’ to represent your local group. Uniform can either be bought from the online shop – Scout Store – or from a local supplier. If you’re not sure where to start, adult volunteers can give you more information about what to buy and where to buy it.