Scouts (Squirrels) is my son ready?

[Punkyskullyy]

Hello,
I popped DS’s name down on the waiting list for beavers when he was 1yo due to a very long waiting list.
I’ve recently received an email inviting him to join Squirrels as they have recently started this (4-5yo).
Whilst I’d love him to join, I’m a little bit apprehensive due to his age. He was 4 in March, but isn’t the type of child to sit for long periods of time in one activity, he doesn’t always listen/follow to instructions and is a bit of a busy bee in school/daycare, enjoying to move from one activity to another.
Is there anybody here who runs their own Squirrels group or has children in one to offer advice?
Am I being silly worrying over this or is this to be expected at his age?
Thanks in advance!

@RedToothBrush

Every single word in your reply says you aren't suited to Squirrels or Beavers.

That's not a bad thing. I couldn't do Explorers.

It's ok if it's not for you.

But I enjoy beavers. They are not hard work. They are a joy. And whilst squirrels aren't my age preference they can still learn by doing, build their confidence, make friends and have fun. I've enjoyed the few nights I've helped out there.

But with leaders who are used to those age groups there is tons you can do.

@Punkyskullyy I do wish your thread was called "Is DS Squirrel ready?"

As a longtime Scout parent and the mother of two young leaders, the experience the kids have depends very much on the leaders. The overwhelming majority are utterly wonderful, but if your child doesn't enjoy it it MIGHT be because the group or the leaders aren't right for him. Make sure he's still on the list for Beavers in case Squirrels doesn't work for him.

I personally experienced the pilots and my group was in the first cohort to establish a drey.

Not the marketing- personal experience and it's been great.

They are now setting up in many of the other groups in my town and talking to those groups they are loving it. Especially that it's increased the no of adults volunteering.

Not the marketing. What leaders on the ground say.

Sorry if that's not been your experience.

@RedToothBrush

I find it really really hard to believe that a squirrel pack will bring in volunteers

Yet the evidence speaks for itself. We've more than doubled the number of volunteers in our group. The same is being repeated all over.

Of course Squirrels have been in Northern Ireland for nearly 30 years and they find that 75% of squirrel leaders are new to the movement and stay for an average of 10 years. Benefitting beavers cubs and scouts.

I've just started a Squirrels Drey. I've been a Beavers and Cubs leader for 2 years each. All the activities are designed for 4-6 year olds and the risk assessments will be in place. If he likes it, great. If he doesn't, he's tried it!

Squirrels is pure chaos in my experience. A 4yo who can't sit still is exactly their target audience. Take him along, he will love it!

NO ONE wants to do squirrels. Can you not read. It's not about MY skill set. I'm not interested in doing ANY section personally. The idea that you can do ANY scouting activity with groups of 4 year olds that aren't just nursery shit IS the point. It's not scouting at that point. It's childcare.

Our group made a collective decision that it's not a baby sitting service and it's pointless to do activities that are just crap instructions off the internet that anyone could do at home.

Its not scouting! It's playtime.

The "evidence" says that you need someone willing to set up a drey. And that takes effort. And it needs support from the Group. It's total bullshit to say that the evidence says anything if you aren't looking at ALL troops and how they've been successful - not just the ones that are doing as they are told and setting up Squirrels.

We are already doing better as a group that anywhere else in district. Our priority is core age groups and not losing children as they age out of those. We would like to set up another Scout troops and that is what we are planning. And that's enough effort.

Honestly if the "evidence" isn't coming to ask us why we are doing well in our own right, it's not much in terms of quality of evidence. All it is, is a PR stunt and marketing by HQ. It has NO understanding of how different areas have different demographics and how that affects the type of parents you have and what they want to contribute.

We live in an area where both parents work full time in the vast majority of cases. It's fundamentally different from the rest of our district and district have (finally) recognised this and been more supportive of this (which is having benefits to district as a result).

The "evidence" says that you need someone willing to set up a drey. And that takes effort. And it needs support from the Group. It's total bullshit to say that the evidence says anything if you aren't looking at ALL troops and how they've been successful - not just the ones that are doing as they are told and setting up Squirrels.

We are already doing better as a group that anywhere else in district. Our priority is core age groups and not losing children as they age out of those. We would like to set up another Scout troops and that is what we are planning. And that's enough effort.

Honestly if the "evidence" isn't coming to ask us why we are doing well in our own right, it's not much in terms of quality of evidence. All it is, is a PR stunt and marketing by HQ. It has NO understanding of how different areas have different demographics and how that affects the type of parents you have and what they want to contribute.

We live in an area where both parents work full time in the vast majority of cases. It's fundamentally different from the rest of our district and district have (finally) recognised this and been more supportive of this (which is having benefits to district as a result).

It's nonsense that you can't do much with Beavers. We've recently been on a full group camp, and the beavers did (almost) everything the older kids did, just with more help. They pitched tents, cooked on a fire, did crafts and climbing, archery and water games. All in an age appropriate way, but they did loads.

They hike, cook, and play games, they do pioneering, visit fire station, tie knots and learn about their promise. Beavers are a lot of fun! (and I say this as a cub leader).

I agree that a Squirrels Drey that requires parents to stay is very likely to lead to an increase in leader volunteers as the children move up through the group. But there is a massive problem getting a couple of non-parent leaders to set up the group in the first place. It's why our group hasn't set one up a yet - we have a lack of leader anyway at the moment.

It's nonsense that you can't do much with Beavers. We've recently been on a full group camp, and the beavers did (almost) everything the older kids did, just with more help. They pitched tents, cooked on a fire, did crafts and climbing, archery and water games. All in an age appropriate way, but they did loads.

They hike, cook, and play games, they do pioneering, visit fire station, tie knots and learn about their promise. Beavers are a lot of fun! (and I say this as a cub leader)

Exactly this, beavers have a blast and you can do most things with them, they learn so many skills.

We took our squirrels for the day on a camp day, they loved it, they were all pretty well behaved and really enjoyed it. Of course you need good ratios for days like that, but our squirrels do lots of excursion and during the session we go exploring, toast marshmallows, play loads of games, it's great

You can do loads with Beavers!

I'm a Squirrel Leader.

We have been running successfully for over 18 months, and have never had a problem leading the Drey. Ours sit and listen to a story, we do craft, games, lots and lots of outside stuff and (after being a Beaver Leader for 20 years) I really, really enjoy working with them. I've never found them or Beavers hard work.

Our waiting list is over 35 children.