The Early Years Project

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. 

The Programme

We’re really excited to share the Squirrels programme with you!

Each badge is packed with wow and wonder, perfect for anyone who’s ever asked ‘Why?’ (or ‘Why not?’). You’ll tell stories and play games. Get active and explore the outdoors. Become a brilliant builder and a super chef. There’s something for everyone – and that means that there’s something for you.

When designing the badges and activities for Squirrel Scouts, our goal was to create: 

• an age-appropriate programme,
• that meets the Theory of Change,
• and is respected by Early Years practitioners,
• without compromising our Scout values, ​ 
• which encourages community and home learning,​ 
• and works in areas of deprivation and for diverse ethnic communities. 

To do this, we wrote, tested and updated a programme proposal with nearly 400 people to create badges full of adventure, fun, and, of course, skills.

Saftey and Safeguarding

Doing things safely is fundamental to everything we do at Scouts

Qualified Leaders will host a safe and secure programme aimed specifically at 4 and 5 year olds.

Squirrel ratios are:

• 1:6 inside plus a leader in charge
• 1:4 outside (away from the safety of the usual meeting place) plus a leader in charge

with a minimum of 3 adults regardless of the number of Squirrels attending.

Check out our page on everything parents and carers need to know about safety and safeguarding.

Parents and carers can come along too

Squirrels Dreys are opening across the UK and we know how important it’s for some parents/carers to want to see their young person having fun. So parents/carers will have the option to stick around during the one hour sessions.