Squirrels
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Squirrels
Squirrel Scouts are the youngest section within our group. Young people can join Squirrels on their fourth birthday. When they reach six years old, they can move up to the next section, Beaver Scouts.
Squirrels is for young people to take their first step into being part of Scouts, and they’ll help everyone get ready for the adventure of school too. Our sessions are packed full of activities, games, badges, laughter, and so much more to help our youngest members learn the skills they need for life.
Here are some of the things you’ll get up to with your new friends.
We're pleased to announce that our first Squirrel Drey will be starting in January 2025 on Thursday evenings. Head over to our Join page for further details and to join the waiting list.
Squirrels is for young people to take their first step into being part of Scouts, and they’ll help everyone get ready for the adventure of school too. Our sessions are packed full of activities, games, badges, laughter, and so much more to help our youngest members learn the skills they need for life.
Here are some of the things you’ll get up to with your new friends.
We're pleased to announce that our first Squirrel Drey will be starting in January 2025 on Thursday evenings. Head over to our Join page for further details and to join the waiting list.
Discover Squirrels
What do Squirrels get up to?
Exploring the great outdoors
You’ll spend lots of time outside with your Drey. Together, you might build a den, or go on a trip to the seaside, or have a sleepover beneath the stars, because being a Drey is all about making the most of what you have, wherever and whoever you are.
Trying new activities and learning new things
Going to Squirrels is very different from going to school. Instead of learning from books, you’ll figure the world out by exploring, playing and doing.
The most important skills you’ll learn at Squirrels are the ones that will make you feel super strong standing on your own two feet. We call these character skills. It’s all about having the courage to try new things and learn from them.
The most important skills you’ll learn at Squirrels are the ones that will make you feel super strong standing on your own two feet. We call these character skills. It’s all about having the courage to try new things and learn from them.
Helping others
Squirrels work as a team to help other people, in their local communities and beyond. Whether they’re changing the whole world or helping a friend take the leap to try something new on a rainy night, they always lend a hand.
Who leads Squirrels?
Each Drey is made up of young people aged 4 to 6 and a team of adult volunteers to run the activities, share their skills and keep everyone safe. In some groups, Squirrel leaders have nicknames after characters from nature, books or films. In others, Squirrels call their leader by their real first name.
Promise and Ceremonies
As well as enjoying plenty of adventures, being a Squirrel is about exploring who you are and what you stand for. These are big ideas, and when you join the Drey, you’ll start thinking about them by making a promise. A promise is a set of words that mean something to you, which you try to follow everyday.
Making the promise is a big celebration within the Drey. Every time a new Squirrel decides to join, they chat through their promise with their leader before saying it out loud in front of their fellow Squirrels. Family and friends might come along to see this, too. Doing this is called being ‘invested’ into Squirrels, and it usually takes place once you’ve had a few weeks to settle in.
Everyone is unique but there are some things all Squirrels agree on – such as treating everyone with kindness and promising to do their best. Depending on their own beliefs, they might also promise to live by their faith.
Squirrels choose the promise that best suits them. Options can be found here.
Making the promise is a big celebration within the Drey. Every time a new Squirrel decides to join, they chat through their promise with their leader before saying it out loud in front of their fellow Squirrels. Family and friends might come along to see this, too. Doing this is called being ‘invested’ into Squirrels, and it usually takes place once you’ve had a few weeks to settle in.
Everyone is unique but there are some things all Squirrels agree on – such as treating everyone with kindness and promising to do their best. Depending on their own beliefs, they might also promise to live by their faith.
Squirrels choose the promise that best suits them. Options can be found here.
Awards and Badges
There is a huge range of badges available which Squirrel Scouts can wear on their uniforms to show everyone how much fun, challenge and adventure they are participating in, hopefully culminating in the top award for Squirrel Scouts: The Chief Scout’s Acorn Award.
Uniform
Our uniform is a key identity of our movement. It helps us to look smart and creates a sense of unity. Every young person in our group gets invested into the movement and is presented with their neckerchief and group badges.
Squirrels wear a red jumper and neckerchief. There are also lots of fun accessories and navy trousers available from the Scout Shop. To learn more about their uniform, head over to the Uniform page.
View UniformSquirrels wear a red jumper and neckerchief. There are also lots of fun accessories and navy trousers available from the Scout Shop. To learn more about their uniform, head over to the Uniform page.
Ready for the adventure?
Head over to our joining page to start your journey.