Beavers (6-8 years)

Our Beaver colony welcomes girls and boys from 6 to 8 years old, either directly from our Squirrel drey, or from our waiting list.

We meet every Tuesday evening during term time at Hedgerley Scout Hut, although some activities and trips may be held offsite.

The colony is run by a team of adult volunteers, most of whom are parents to Beavers, and Young Leaders. Leaders are generally provided nicknames of woodland animals, suggested and voted by the Beavers themselves.

Being a Beaver is all about trying new things, making friends and, most importantly, having fun. Beavers will learn lots of new skills through exploring, playing, and doing. The programme is made up of numerous different activities, as well as community-based activities that teach Beavers to help others and to care for the world around them. Camps and sleepovers provide opportunity for Nights Away, although only when your child is confident to do so.

Investiture

After your child has settled in at Beavers, normally 3-4 weeks, and have decided that they want to join, they will be formally welcomed to the colony. There will be a small ceremony where they will be asked to make the Beaver Promise (guided by team members) and will be presented with a certificate of investiture along with their necker and woggle. Parents are invited to attend.

Uniform

Beavers can wear whatever they feel comfortable in for the first few weeks. Once settled in, Beavers are asked to wear uniform for their investiture.

Beavers are required to wear a blue sweatshirt, on which awarded badges are sewn, and a blue polo shirt. These items can be purchased directly from the Scouts Store Beaver Scouts | Beavers Uniform & Accessories .

Uniform also consists of a coloured scarf, called a “necker”, the colours of which represent our Group. Neckers will be provided to Beavers during their investiture, along with a coloured woggle that represents their allocated Lodge.
Second-hand uniform may also be available. Please contact the Beaver Team Leader regarding availability.

Badges
The two-year programme is tailored towards Beavers achieving their highest award, the Chief Scout’s Bronze Award. To be awarded this badge Beavers must complete all six Challenge Awards as well as four Activity or Staged Activity badges.
More detail about awards and badges can be found here:

Beaver Awards | Scouts
Beavers Activity Badges | Scouts

As Beavers complete badges throughout the programme, they can display their achievements by having the badges sewn on their sweatshirt. The location of the badges is shown below.

Online Scout Manager (OSM)

We utilise a safe and secure online system, called OSM, to manage the section. Once your child has joined Beavers you will be invited to the Parent Portal from where you can view the programme and your child’s badge progress, sign your child up to events and make online payments.

Cost

There is a termly subscription charge. Please enquire as to current costs. Trips, camps and activities are usually charged separately.