Squirrels is for young people aged 4 & 5

Our Squirrels meet 9:30 -10:30am on Saturday morning

Who are Squirrels?

At Squirrels our young people try new things. Make new friends. Joining Squirrels is just the beginning of their big adventure.

Squirrels are young people aged 4 to 5 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 doorstops and beyond

Every week, they gather in groups called 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.

Being Squirrel is all about fun and friendship while growing and learning. Here are some of the things you’ll get up to with your new friends.

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What do Squirrels get up to?

Exploring the great outdoors

Trying new activities and learning new things

Helping others

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Awards & Badges

Did you know that as well as hiking, healthy eating and swimming badges, our Squirrels can develop skills in IT, science and cooking?


Our activity badges allow Squirrels to demonstrate their love of various pursuits, and help them find new interests. They are awarded when our young people meet the requirements and show they’re an expert, or at least enjoy the activity.


We also have a number of Challenge Awards, which gives the Squirrels a chance to take on ambitious tasks and try new things that prepare them with #SkillsForLife.

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Uniform

You don’t need a uniform to join. But once you’ve settled in, you’ll start speedily earning badges, and you’ll need to know where to put them!

What do 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. At formal occasions such as Remembrance Sunday Parade uniform also includes blue Scout activity trousers or school trousers/skirts.

Why is uniform 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 can I buy it?

Uniform can either be bought from the online Scout shop or a local supplier. If you’re stuck, ask adult volunteers to tell you more about what to buy and where to buy it. We recommend using the scout store.

Where do the badges go?

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Promises and ceremonies

As well as enjoying plenty of adventures, being a Squirrel Scout is about exploring who you are and what you stand for. These are big ideas, and when you join the section, you’ll start thinking about them by making your Promise. A promise is a set of words that mean something to you, which you try to follow everyday.


Making your Promise is a big celebration within the section. Every time a new Squirrel Scout decides to join, they chat through their promise with their leader before saying it out loud in front of their fellow Squirrel Scouts. 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’s unique but there are some things all Squirrel Scouts agree on – such as treating everyone with kindness and promising to do their best. Depending on their own beliefs, Squirrel Scouts might also promise to live by their faith.


Squirrels choose the promise that best suits them.

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Who leads Squirrels?

Each section is made up of young people aged 4 & 5 years old, 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.

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How to join

Lots of young people want to join Squirrels and you might have to wait for a space to become available before you can start your journey. If you have any questions about accessibility, it’s best to contact us in addition to your application. By being upfront about additional needs from the start, parents/carers can work in partnership with local leaders to make sure their young person has the best experience possible.


On your first night at Squirrels, you’ll be taking part in lots of activities, and should just wear something you feel comfortable in.


Eventually, you’ll get your own Squirrel uniform to wear to meetings and on trips away from your regular meeting place. Wearing a uniform is comfy and practical. It means no one feels uncomfortable or left out and helps everyone to feel a part of the Drey. It also gives you a place to show off all the Squirrel badges you earn.


For Squirrels, the uniform consists of a red sweatshirt with your badges sewn on and a coloured scarf or ‘necker’ to represent your local group. Uniform can either be bought from the online shop – Scout Store – or from a local supplier. If you’re not sure where to start, adult volunteers can give you more information about what to buy and where to buy it.

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