Spilsby Scouts make history with new Squirrel section launch

2nd Spilsby Scout Group took part in scouting history this week with the launch of their brand-new section for four- and five-year-olds.

Squirrel Scouts are the newest branch to the scouting tree and will be rolling out nationally this September mostly in areas hardest hit by the pandemic, with the Spilsby drey being one of the first.

It is the first new section of the Scout movement in 35 years and in part is aimed at helping children who have struggled due to lockdowns.

2nd Spilsby has traditionally offered scouting for children from 6 years to 14 years, but can now offer activities and adventures from the age of just four years old.  Each squirrel section is called a drey and together every Monday, they will get to master new skills, make new friends, and explore the world around them.

On Monday 6th September the first intake of children arrived with their parents, who had been actively encouraged to come along and stay with their child to see what sessions were like.  The children were taught their welcome song followed by a story all about fruit. Together with their parents, they all had the chance to make fruit kebabs which were of course followed by eating their creations! The evening was rounded up with a game ran by the group’s young leaders and it was soon time to sing the goodbye song.

Sessions will run on Monday evenings during term time from 5.15 pm to 6.15 pm, although the starter sessions are slightly shorter until everyone settles in.  The second intake of children is due on the 27th of September, having been split to give the new leaders a chance to settle in themselves.

Group Scout Leader Gemma Holland says ”We were delighted to have been given the approval to open a squirrels drey here at 2nd Spilsby.  Together with the support of our brand new leadership team, we can now offer the opportunity of new experiences, life skills, and friendship to even younger local children.  Some of our intakes are younger sisters or brothers of existing beavers, cubs, or scouts however we have welcomed some children and their families that are brand new to scouting altogether.”

“We hope together with the four-week challenge, that we can encourage more leaders and helpers to join team 2nd Spilsby, which will then, in turn, open up more spaces for more children.”

To find out about the 2nd Spilsby Squirrel Section, please email Gemma at gsl@2ndspilsby.org.uk, phone 07540 105 701, or visit scouts.org.uk/squirrels to find out more!