Beavers
6-8, Scouting's youngest section, giving a start in the huge range of activities we have to offer
6-8, Scouting's youngest section, giving a start in the huge range of activities we have to offer
Every week, they gather in Beaver Colonies to enjoy lots of different games and activities – achieving anything they set their minds to, and having lots of fun along the way.
They also have the opportunity to take part in the fun and excitement of camps and sleepovers. It may be the first time they spend a night away from home so it’s a real adventure for them.
We have two Beaver Colonies:
In the last year Leopard Moth Beavers have got up to all sorts of adventures including:
Watercress Line – Visit to the train stations in Alton where we had several rides, discussed railway safety and made train tracks in the play area.
Ninja Warriors – Overnight Camp with the Cubs where we got to climb, have pizza and watch a late night film with lots of popcorn. In the morning we had cereal and toast, before climbing again and then going home for a rest.
Laser Quest – Running around shooting in the dark getting as many points as we could in our teams.
Donutting – Having fun sliding down the slopes in Aldershot.
Millers Ark – Helped to look after the animals and had lots of fun with the bunny rabbits.
Runways End Summer Camp – Staying out in tents, seeing how high we could go on the climbing walls, making fires, archery and making ping pong ball catapults.
Space – Exploring the stars and planets at the Aldershot Observatory with Farnham Astronomical Society.
Cooking – Making Kranachan for Burns Night
Kayaking – Splashing about on the water at Mytchett Lake
Gardening – Planting sunflowers, peas and cress seeds and looking at the trees in the different seasons.
Panto – We went to the Fleet Christmas panto and were the noisiest ones there, oh no you weren’t.
District Sports Fun – we got together with other Beaver colonies from Odiham District to hop, skip and jump, throw and run as fast as we could. We even had the Beavers v Leaders tug-of war and the Beavers won again!!
Water fight – each year we have a huge water fight and water games with water balloons and water pistols!
Hikes – We are so lucky that our headquarters is in such a beautiful part of the world, we go on lots of hikes to explore the nature around us
The two colonies are now running a parallel programme, with Tiger Moth going through Leopard Moth’s activities each week.
We’ve recently re-opened our Thursday Beaver Colony thanks the support of parents volunteering their time!
With a the work of running a Scouting section spread over a few people it keeps everything manageable – if you have time to help out (1 hour a week? or even 1 hour twice a month) please talk to our leaders.
Over the last few year the Tiger Moth Beavers have got up to all sorts of adventures including:
Jump-boree – Staying overnight in a trampoline park with all the bouncing we could handle!
Overnight Camps – Staying out in tents and camping in our headquarters with our friends
First Aid – learning what to do in an emergency and making sure we knew how to bandage teddy if they got hurt
Digital maker – We visited the Apple store and learned how to create things online
Hikes – We are so lucky that our headquarters is in such a beautiful part of the world, we go on lots of hikes to explore the nature around us
Zoom sessions – During the pandemic we have had lots of sessions using Zoom, these often contain scavenger hunts, active games and work towards our badges.
The two colonies are now running a parallel programme, with Tiger Moth going through Leopard Moth’s activities each week.
Evenings usually begin with a quick game and registration. Meetings are a mix of games, craft work, quizzes, drama, drawing, singing, visits and visitors etc. The programme is kept varied and challenging and, above all, fun. No two meetings are ever the same.
At the end of the meeting we usually have a final game and a closing ceremony. Beavers are encouraged to take anything they have built through the evening’s event home with them to show off to parents, siblings, and friends.
You’ll spend lots of time outside with your Colony. Together, you might build a den, or go on a trip to the seaside, or take part in a Beaver sleepover beneath the stars. And even though you might not be ready to climb Mount Everest just yet, you’re guaranteed to have plenty of adventures on your own doorstop, because being a Beaver is all about making the most of what you have, wherever and whoever you are.
Trying new activities and learning new things
Going to Beavers is very different from going to school. Instead of learning from books, you’ll figure the world out by exploring, playing and doing.
The most important skills you’ll learn at Beavers are the ones that will make you feel super strong standing on your own two feet. We call these character skills. They include things like integrity – which means being honest and doing what you think is right – and initiative – which means knowing how to take the lead on something without being asked. It’s all about having the courage to try new things and learn from them.
Helping others
Beavers work as a team to help other people, in their local communities and beyond. Whether they’re changing the whole world or helping a friend take the leap to try something new on a rainy night, they always lend a hand.
Over the course of two years, Beavers will have the opportunity to gain a number of badges, from Space to Cook’s, Creative to Experiments, and many more. There’s plenty of activities to keep Beavers engaged and learning during their time in Scouts.
The ultimate goal for every Pack is to give each Beaver the opportunity to earn the Chief Scout’s Bronze Award.
This is the highest award a Beaver can earn, and it’s something you work on gradually throughout your whole time in the section. To get your hands on one, you’ll need to complete all of the Challenge Awards, as well as any four Activity Badges of your choice (including Staged Activity Badges).
Please click these links for further information about badges and awards for the Scout section.
This Scout HQ page gives the placement template for all of the uniform badges for Scouts.
Jackie Cheeseman, a grandparent of a former scout in our Group, will sew badges onto beaver and cub jumpers and scout and leader shirts. She charges 50p per badge and very generously donates all she raises to our Group. Simply arrange to take her the garment and badges and Jackie will let you know when they are ready, and pay cash on collection. Please talk to our section leaders to make initial contact with Jackie if you don’t know her phone number and address. She sews badges for any child or leader in any scout group, brownie or guide unit, indeed anybody. Spread the word!
At their investiture Beavers should know the Beaver Scout promise and know and understand the Scout Motto, Sign and Handshake. They should attend sufficient meetings to get to know the other Beavers in their Lodge and the Leaders. The Beaver Scout Log Book contains all the information needed in a very readable format and is available from the district shop.
Promise: I promise that I will do my best, to be kind and helpful, and to love the World.
Click here for alternative Promises
Uniform consists of a turquoise sweatshirt and navy blue trousers. In the summer, navy blue shorts can be worn instead.
These items should be purchased from our district shop in Crondall, as the small amount of profit goes back into local scouting, and can be worn immediately, although new joiners can wear their own clothes for the first couple of weeks. The shop is open Saturday mornings 10am-12pm during term time. After about five weeks, new joiners are invested at a formal ceremony and the gold and scarlet group scarf, woggle and badges are presented.
An explorer, adventurer and TV presenter, Dwayne's been seen in BAFTA nominated Channel 5 series Race to the Pole, on BBC Springwatch, Countryfile, National Geographic and Disney+.
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