The initiative launches in 200 areas across the UK and follows a pilot that began in 2019, which focused on supporting areas of deprivation and Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
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Practice: Scouts turn focus on pre-schoolers
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It is hoped the charity’s nationwide network of ‘Squirrel Dreys’ will reach 12,000 families in the first three years of the programme. Scouts is also looking to expand into more locations.
The focus will be on outdoor play with new activities learnt receiving badges, as the charity has long provided for those taking part in its groups for older children.
New badges include ‘feel good’, ‘be active’, ‘explore outdoors’ and ‘brilliant builder’. Young children involved will have red uniforms.
Scouts is looking for people to run local Squirrel groups through its volunteer recruitment campaign #GoodForYou. This aims to recruit more than 5,000 new volunteers.
We’re absolutely chuffed to announce our new programme for 4 and 5 year olds, #SquirrelScouts. 200+ Squirrel Dreys will open this month across the UK, prioritising areas most affected by the pandemic. Find out more: https://t.co/ME27XjUN3G #SkillsForLife pic.twitter.com/aARprDSxU4
— Scouts (@scouts) September 9, 2021
“Squirrels is part of our commitment to help young people, families and communities come back stronger from the pandemic,” said Scouts chief executive Matt Hyde.
“Our mission at Scouts is to equip young people with skills for life, and what we learn up to five years old lays the building blocks for everything that follows. If you’re four, you’ve spent a third of your life in lockdowns. We know this has especially impacted children in communities hardest hit by the pandemic. That’s why we are opening the first Squirrel dreys in the communities that need it most.”
This is the first time the Scouts movement has expanded the age range of its programmes since 1986, when it launched Beaver Scouts for six- to eight-year-olds.
The Squirrels roll out has been backed with funding from the #iwill Fund, Department for Education and grant giver Charity of Sir Richard Whittington.
Jess Fortune, who was a group leader volunteer for the Squirrels pilot, added: “The programme is built to help four- and five-year-olds develop teamwork, communication and creativity. I have learnt so much as a volunteer, I hope more people volunteer so that children everywhere can experience these brilliant opportunities.”
