We couldn’t be prouder to announce the launch of our first Squirrels Drey in Huddersfield North Scout District at Outlane Scout Group. The first session this week was enjoyed by 16 new Squirrels and run by our fantastic Squirrel Leader, Alex and her team. The new programme for 4 and 5 year olds is also a historic milestone for the UK Scout movement. As the first new age range in Scouts for 35 years, we’re helping young people gain skills for life where and when it matters most.
The Squirrel programme’s is designed to support informal learning for 4–5-year-olds and promote key skills like working together, communication, and language, as well as creativity and community awareness. Squirrels get active, explore nature and have fun learning with friends, all while earning badges – just like other Scouts. New badges include Feel Good, Be Active, Explore Outdoors, Brilliant Builder and Exciting Experiments.
It’s a positive, safe environment for young children to develop essential skills for life, starting them on a journey to become the active citizens and leaders of the future. To scale up this new programme, we need more volunteers, to help us reach even more young people.
Calling for new volunteers
To support the roll out of Squirrels, we’re now calling for adults, including parents and carers to step forward as part of our #GoodForYou campaign, designed to recruit over 5,000 new volunteers. We’re showing adults how volunteering for Scouts not only helps young people, but is good for them too, supporting wellbeing and building skills for employment and education.
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout, is helping launch the new age range: ‘I’m so glad that younger children now have the chance to join our family of Scouts,’ he said, ‘and develop skills for life.
‘We know from our pilot programme that 4–5-year-olds can really benefit from the activities that we offer. We believe that by offering opportunities at this early age, inspiring a sense of wonder, fun and curiosity, we can have a long-lasting, positive impact on young people’s lives.’
Contact volunteer@hnscouts.org.uk for more information on the opportunities available.
