Squirrels

Squirrels are the youngest and newest section of the Scouting movement, and generally meet for an hour per week. Through different games and activities they begin to learn what Scouting has to offer, having a lot of fun along the way. These sessions will be jam packed with outdoor activities, fun, games, badges, laughter, and so much more.
Squirrels began in 2021, and became the youngest section in the Scouting family. Both boys and girls can join from around their 4th birthday. They move on up to the Beavers section when they are 6.

The sessions will be a brilliant opportunity 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.

Sessions will be packed with outdoors activities, fun, games, badges, laughter, and so much more to help our youngest members learn the skills they need for life. Of course, none of it would be possible without the support of the amazing leaders who plan and deliver such an inspiring programme.

The Squirrel Scout Promise

All Squirrel Scouts undertake the Squirrel promise which is a simpler version of the Scout promise:

I promise to do my best,
To be kind and helpful,
and to love God.

Alternative promise

Scouting is available to people of all faiths as well as people who are humanist, atheist or have no affirmed faith and therefore must therefore take account of the different religious obligations or non religious beliefs of its Members.

Similarly, people of other nationalities resident in the United Kingdom, who may become Members of the Association, owe allegiance to their own Country.

To meet these circumstances, there are different variations of the Squirrel Scout, Beaver Scout, Cub Scout and Scout Promise that can be made, allowing for the individuals obligations while upholding the essential spirit of the Promise.

Motto

The Squirrel Scouts share the general Scout motto of Be Prepared.

Uniform

The Squirrel Scout uniform is a red sweatshirt and group scarf (neckerchief) with navy blue activity trousers.

Awards and Badges

Squirrel Scouts can gain a number of awards and badges, though not as many as in higher Sections of the Movement. The Membership Award is given to Squirrels after they have made their promise and been invested into the Movement, whilst the Moving-On Award is given once a Squirrel Scout has completed their time in Squirrels and moved into Beaver Scouts.

Activity Badges

There are 12 activity badges in the Squirrel Scout Section. These are Be Active, Brilliant Builder, Exciting Experiments, Feel Good, Get Creative, Go Wild, Let It Grow, Let’s Celebrate, Local Superhero, Story Time and Super Chef.

Staged Activity Badges

Staged Activity Badges can be completed by any member of the Movement between the age of 4 and 18. They are completed in different stages, so after completing each stage Members are awarded the relevant badge. As they can be completed in Squirrel Scouts, Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorers it is possible for a Squirrel Scout to attain a higher level of a Staged Activity Badge than a Member from a higher Section.

Staged Activity badges that are available are Air Activities, Community Impact, Digital Citizen, Digital Maker, Emergency Aid, Hikes Away, Musician, Nautical Skills, Navigator, Nights Away, Paddle Sports, Sailing, Swimmer and Time on the Water. The number of stages in each badge varies.

Challenge Awards

Challenge Awards are completed as a Drey rather than individually and should completed within a Drey’s normal activities. There are four Challenges, one for each Programme Zone set by The Scout Association, and each are aimed at developing skills among the young person.

Challenge badges available are All About Adventure, All About Me, All Around Us and All Together.

Chief Scout’s Acorn Award

The Chief Scout’s Acorn Award is the highest award which can be gained by Squirrel Scouts. In order to attain it, Squirrel Scouts must have completed four Challenge Awards by the time they join Beaver Scouts. If they have nearly completed the requirements by then, Members have a few weeks after joining Beaver Scouts in which to finish the requirements.