When you join Beavers, you’ll be introduced to lots of new activities, people and things. Here's everything you need to know.
Beavers are young people, aged 6 to 8, who:
Master new skills and try new things
Have fun and go on adventures
Make friends
Are curious about the world around them
Help others and make a difference, on their own doorsteps and beyond
Every week, they gather in groups called Beaver Colonies to hop, skip and jump their way through lots of different games and activities – achieving anything they set their minds to, and having lots of fun along the way.
Being a Beaver is all about growing and learning in small but mighty ways. Here are some of the things you’ll get up to with your new friends.
Exploring the great outdoors
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 host 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 Tuesday night, they always lend a hand.
Within their Colony, some Beavers are also part of a Lodge. A Lodge is a smaller group of Beavers, usually headed up by a young person who takes on a peer leadership role, known as a Lodge Leader.
Being a peer leader is about being a superhero for a little while – doing things like welcoming new people to the Colony, being extra helpful during a camp, or taking charge of a game or activity. Everyone takes it in turns to take on the challenge.
Beavers usually stand together in their Lodges at the beginning and end of meetings. They tend to stick together on trips away, or during certain activities
All of our leaders are trained volunteers, working to make sure Scouts is safe and open to all. Some volunteer at the Colony week in and week out. Others visit occasionally to help run a session or drop in to share their skills.
Your child is invited to approx 4 taster sessions. This enables them to decide if they wish to embark on the exciting opportunities that Beaver Scouting can provide.
An Investiture or Promise ceremony is a special celebration where someone is welcomed to Scouts, makes their Scout Promise, receives their neckerchief, district badges and name tape . Making your Promise means you become a member of your Scout section, as well as the worldwide Scout family.
The Promise is a simple way to help young people and adults celebrate their shared Scout values. Every Scout promises to stick by these values when they become a member.
Parents are invited to come and watch and take photos after.
The Beaver Scout Promise
“I promise to do my best
To be kind and helpful
And to love our World"
The Beaver Scout Motto
“Be Prepared”
Eventually, it’ll be time to say farewell to Beavers and embrace your next big adventure.
Moving on to Cubs is a really exciting time, but you might also feel a little sad about saying farewell to some of your fellow Beavers. This is an understandable reaction to change and it’s okay to feel nervous and unsure.
In the run-up to your last night at Beavers, your Beaver leader will talk to your new Cub leader – who you may have already met during joint activities. Together, they’ll make the move as easy as possible for you.
Although most Beavers move up to Cubs between the ages of 7 ½ and 8 ½, leaders can be flexible in cases where a Beaver may need a bit more time due to additional needs or exceptional circumstances. Generally, they'll also have a think about when your friends are moving, and time things so that you can start your new adventure together where possible.
To get you extra prepared, we have the Moving on Award. Completing it involves spending at least 4 weeks with a Cub section, while keeping up your normal routine at Beavers. During that time, you’ll see what Cubs is really like – getting to know your new leaders, making new friends and participating in lots of new and exciting activities. Keep an eye out, as you might even spot some familiar faces from when you first started at Beavers
Cub Scouts continue on with the Balanced Programme, Awards and Badge system, extending the Beaver Scouts knowledge and skills. Young people enjoy challenges that the Scouting Movement can offer and widens their experiences.
Cub Scout Contact
Cub Scout Leader: Emily Terris
Cub Scout Meetings: Thursday 6.00 to 7.30
Please visit the scout website link to see the information from the cub section.
http://scouts.org.uk/media/785432/a6-parents-guide-to-cubs-aw_hr.pdf
At 1st Cheriton, we work with a Standing Orders for Subscriptions
Whilst your child is a Beaver for the first four weeks you can pay for 4 weeks in cash @ £15 allowing to see if they likes coming to our meetings.
This payment will cover for their insurance while on the premises. Payment must be done attendance or non-attendance and as the child will not be insured and would breaking our insurance terms if we're not receiving subs for the complete period of time a child is with us.
After 4 weeks could I please ask you to set up the Standing Order for £15 per month at your earliest convenience or on your pay day and this will be collected monthly.
Once you have set up the Standing Order if you could let the leader know and we can advise the Treasurer who checks the bank statements and confirms back to us it is all been done..
We do have two options:
Full annual subscription of £180.00 by cheque or cash
Or
12 monthly continual payments by standing order of £15.00 per month
(Until your child no longer attends the Group)
You will be provided with a Standing Order details on your child joining the Beaver section
In October 1982, The Scout Association introduced the Beaver Section for boys aged 6 and 7. There had been a growing demand within the movement for such an optional activity. It was available at the discretion of the Scout Group.
The age group had been provided in other countries for some time. Beavers had begun in Northern Ireland some 15 years earlier. Australia, Canada, New Zealand and some European Countries had also developed programmes.
Initially, Beavers were not full members of the Movement. This did not happen until April 1986, when they became a recognised training section and took the title of Beaver Scouts. In 1991, the first girls were admitted to Beaver Scouts making it possible for it to be a mixed section. The Beaver Scout programme was changed in 1995 to allow the Beaver Scouts to gain badges.
1st Cheriton Beaver Colony was started in 20th March 1990.