Squirrel Scouts (4 – 6 years old)

We’ve started a completely new provision for four to six year olds called Squirrels, to help young people to gain skills for life at a time when it matters most and where it’s most needed.

(Not all Groups in Barnet have started Squirrel Dreys – so far they’re at the 8th Hendon and the 5th East Barnet Legacy Groups.)

Every week, Squirrels gather to grow and to learn their way through lots of different games and activities

The one hour sessions are 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.

Badges

Become an expert in something you love, or try something shiny and new. There’s a badge to suit each and every Squirrel! Click below to explore all 28 activity & staged badges.

Challenge Awards are packed with awe and awesome, perfect for anyone who’s ever asked ‘Why?’ (or ‘Why not?’). You’ll think about what makes you unique and learn to be the best friend you can be, enjoy your first campfire and meet some new people.  You can also find below the core badges available to every Squirrel:

Uniform

Squirrels wear a red sweatshirt with a Group scarf. This is available to buy in most school uniform shops and online at the Scout Shop.

Below you can check out where to sew on the different badges and awards. If you have any questions you can always ask your leader!

Promise

Inclusion is at the heart of our Squirrels story. Here at Scouts, we’re open to people of all genders, backgrounds, and faiths (including people of no faith). We’re committed to reaching out to new and different families and communities and include people who have never tried Scouts before.

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 that 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:

For members who are Christian or Jewish

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

For members who are Humanist, atheist or of no faith background

I promise to do my best
to be kind and helpful
and to love our world.

For members who are Buddhist

I promise to do my best
to be kind and helpful
and to love my Dharma.

For members who are Hindu

I promise to do my best
to be kind and helpful
and to love the world.

For members who are Sikh

I promise to do my best
to be kind and helpful
and to love Waheguru.

For Muslims

I promise to do my best
to be kind and helpful
and to love Allah.