Heavy Woollen District
We’ve started opening a new provision for four to six year olds called Squirrels, to help young people gain skills for life at a time when it matters most and where it's most needed.
> 4-5
Squirrel Dray
Being a Squirrel
When you join Squirrels, you’ll be introduced to many new activities, people and things. Here's everything you need to know.
Every week, Squirrels will gather to grow and learn their way through lots of different games and activities
Squirrels can achieve anything they set their minds to – and they have lots of fun along the way.
The one hour 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.
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 shared positive feedback about this section and so we started to explore Scouts for four and five year olds as a potential new provision in 2019.
We introduced Scouts to new young people and new adult volunteers who we didn’t previously engage with. To understand if Scouting for this age group was possible and desirable, we conducted a pilot project that you can read all about.
Taking into account the extensive research, member consultation and two years of piloting, in July 2020 the Board of Trustees approved a new section for four and five year olds – now called Squirrels.
When you join Squirrels, you’ll be introduced to many new activities, people and things. Here's everything you need to know.
Every week, Squirrels will gather to grow and learn their way through lots of different games and activities
Squirrels can achieve anything they set their minds to – and they have lots of fun along the way.
The one hour 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.
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 shared positive feedback about this section and so we started to explore Scouts for four and five year olds as a potential new provision in 2019.
We introduced Scouts to new young people and new adult volunteers who we didn’t previously engage with. To understand if Scouting for this age group was possible and desirable, we conducted a pilot project that you can read all about.
Taking into account the extensive research, member consultation and two years of piloting, in July 2020 the Board of Trustees approved a new section for four and five year olds – now called Squirrels.
