Beaver Scouts are young people usually aged between six and
eight years old. They belong to the first and youngest Section in
the Scouting family. Young people can join Beaver Scouts in the
three months leading up to their sixth birthday. They can move to
the next Section, Cub Scouts, between eight and eight years six
months.
Easily recognised by their distinctive turquoise sweatshirts,
Beaver Scouts enjoy making friends, playing games, going on visits
and helping others. They usually meet together once a week in a
Beaver Scout Colony.
Some Beaver Scout Colonies also organise Sleepovers. These are
often the first time a young person spends a night away from home.
They take place in suitable buildings, often Scout centres.
Now in
2011, Beavers celebrate 25 Years of Beaver Scouting. Colonies
founded in 1986 did not have ready access to the internet,
computers, games consoles, mobile phones and multi-channel
television. The Beaver Scout section has since
developed greatly, now providing more innovative activities,
events and experiences built around six programme "zones":
Beliefs and Attitudes, Community, Fitness, Creative, Global
and Outdoor and Adventure.
Consequently, this year Beaver Scouts explored
religious festivals, visited places of worship and
participated in County Beaver Faith Badge days in Cheshire. Beaver
Scouts studied communities in which they lived, took part in
Centenary celebrations discovering local people, places and
facilities. Fitness and Creativity zones are ever popular. Beaver
Scouts used a variety of media to explore their creative potential
encompassing art, music, drama and design.
One of the key aspects of Beaver Scouting is an
introduction to camping and the great outdoors. The Beaver
Scout section enjoyed the first ever Cheshire Beaver
Scout Adventure Day at Chamboree in August. This was a
successful event enabling Beaver Scouts to sample a range of
activities including use of a climbing wall, making pancakes
and watching Jousting Knights!
We held a County Beaver Scout Challenge, Beaver Scouts
battled through qualifying rounds for a final round of challenges
to see who wins the trophy! This year's challenge is to be held at
Alderley (last year's winners) in May. At County Scout Sunday
Beaver Scouts paraded with all sections. We also acknowledged those
achieving the Bronze Challenge Award.
In 2011 (July 2nd) Beaver Scouts have the chance to
join in a County birthday celebration, which will provide a
full day of activities and entertainment again centred on the
6 development zones.
Beaver Scouts are a very enthusiastic and an active
section of the Cheshire Scouting community. Your support is
most valued!
Paul
Brown
Assistant County Commissioner (Beaver
Scouts)