Squirrels

Hello to the NEWEST section for 4 & 5 Year olds

We want to reach young people who could benefit most from Scouts. Research suggests that the earlier a young person accesses non-formal education, the more positive the impact on their prospects.

Around the world there are various models of Scouts for four and five year olds, such as Meerkats in South Africa, Lions in the US and Family Scouting in Denmark. Here in the UK, Squirrels has been operating alongside Scouting in Northern Ireland for many years. All have shared positive feedback about this section.

We’ve been exploring Scouts for four and five year olds as a potential new provision, so that we can introduce Scouts to new young people and potentially new adult volunteers who we currently don’t engage with. To understand if Scouting for this age group is possible and desirable, we conducted a pilot project that you can read about. 

Taking into account the extensive research, member consultation and two years of piloting, the Board of Trustees approved a new section for four and five year olds – now called Squirrels.

There are only a few Squirrel dreys in Cheshire and Warrington East is proud to now host six Dreys!

We have currently one hosted at the 9th Warrington East (Gorse Covert) one hosted at the 12th Warrington East (1st Birchwood), one hosted at the 27th Warrington East (Woolston) one hosted at the 13th Warrington East (St Elphin’s Own) one hosted at 3rd Warrington East (1st Culcheth) and our latest group to host a drey is 26th Warrington East (2nd Padgate)

Squirrels are usually four or five years of age.

A group of Squirrel Scouts is called a Drey.

Squirrels have a Promise and Motto, but there is not a Squirrel Scout Law. The concepts of the Scout Law will be presented to Squirrels through games, storytelling and other informal devices.

Find more information about Squirrels here