Being a Squirrel
4 to 6 years
When you join Squirrels, you’ll be introduced to lots of new activities, people and things. Here’s everything you need to know.
When do Squirrels meet?
The Squirrel Drey:-
- We meet on a Tuesday 4:45pm-5:45pm
- Meetings are held every week during term time only and mainly at our Scout Hut.
Who are Squirrels?
Squirrels are young people aged 4 to 6 who:
- Master new skills and try new things
- Have fun and go on adventures
- Make friends
- Are curious about the world around them
- Help others and make a difference, on their own doorsteps and beyond
Every week, they gather in groups called Squirrel Dreys to hop, skip and jump their way through lots of different games and activities – achieving anything they set their minds to, and having lots of fun along the way.
What do Squirrels get up to?
Being a Squirrel is all about growing and learning in small but mighty ways. Here are some of the things you’ll get up to with your new friends.
Exploring the great outdoors
Trying new activities and learning new things
Helping others
Who leads Squirrels?
Each Drey is made up of young people aged 4 to 6, led by an adult Squirrel leader. Other adult volunteers are on hand to supervise activities, share their skills and keep everyone safe. In some groups, Squirrel leaders are nicknamed after characters from nature, books or films. In others, Squirrels call their leader by their real first name.
Within their Drey, some Squirrels are also part of a Nest. A Nest is a smaller group of Squirrels, usually headed up by a young person who takes on a peer leadership role.
Being a peer leader is about being a superhero for a little while – doing things like welcoming new people to the Drey, or taking charge of a game or activity. Everyone takes it in turns to take on the challenge.
Squirrels usually stand together in their Nests at the beginning and end of meetings.
Promises 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.
How to join Squirrels
Interested in joining? The first step to becoming a Squirrel is to enter the young person’s details on our waiting list.
We will then contact you and let know the situation.
For anything else please use our Contact Us page.
Squirrels is open to all, and we can usually tweak things to make sure everyone can join in the fun. If you have any questions about accessibility, chat with our Group Scout Leader (GSL) as soon as possible. Read our guidance on supporting those with additional needs.
Squirrel uniform and badge placement
What Squirrels wear
Squirrel uniform consists of a red sweatshirt with your badges sewn on and a coloured scarf or ‘necker’ to represent your local group. There are lots of other optional accessories you can wear such as hats, hoodies, navy blue trousers or shorts, if you’d like to.
Why uniform is important
Wearing a uniform is comfy and practical. It means you can run around and get messy without ruining your other clothes. It makes you feel part of a team. It means no one feels uncomfortable or left out. And it gives you a place to show off all the brilliant badges you earn.
Where you can buy the uniform
Uniform can be bought from our District Scout Shop. If you’re stuck, ask adult volunteers to tell you more about what to buy and where to buy it.
I’m a Squirrel moving on to Beavers. What will happen?
Although most Squirrels move up to Beavers between the ages of 5¾ and 6½, leaders can be flexible in cases where a Squirrel may need a bit more time due to additional needs or exceptional circumstances. Generally, they’ll also have a think about when your friends are moving, and time things so that you can start your new adventure together where possible.
To get you extra prepared, your leader might tell you about the Moving on Award. Completing it involves spending at least three weeks with a Beaver Section, while keeping up your normal routine at Squirrels . During that time, you’ll see what Beavers is really like – getting to know your new leaders, making new friends and participating in lots of new and exciting activities. Keep an eye out, as you might even spot some familiar faces from when you first started at Squirrels!
