A brand new chapter in a well known tail

We’re launching Squirrels, a brand new programme for children aged 4 and 5 years old. Joining the existing 200+ young people that attend our sections each week, we’re super excited to be opening a new Squirrel dray.

Squirrels offers the best of Scouts – learning by doing and getting into the great
outdoors – combined with early years best practice of storytelling, routine, and
play. It’s a huge leap forward for us: our first new age range in 35 years. And it
is a key part of our response to the challenges facing young people.

We know that the most fundamental connections are made during the
precious, formative years before five years old. What happens then – positive
or otherwise – stays with them for life. Change the start of the story, and we
change the whole story.

Giving children the best start in life

Research from Ofsted tells us that the young people hardest hit by the
pandemic are not developing the basic skills and learning they need. Early years
children have returned less confident and more anxious after lockdowns.
Squirrels offers skills for life when and where it’s needed most. This is our
opportunity to help enrich the lives of young people, preparing them for a
brighter future.

We’re offering this brand new programme, with wellbeing, kindness and social
action at its heart

Building closer families, stronger communities and a fairer society

Squirrels comes at a time when inequalities in our society are all too clear. So
we’re:

• Helping 4 and 5 year olds gain key skills like communication, teamwork and resilience through structured play and story telling
• Giving them a sense of achievement with great role models and a positive environment encouraging kindness and aspiration
• Strengthening the bond between parents or carers and their children by encouraging family volunteering
• Creating closer, more connected communities with volunteering at the
  heart.

Leaping forward

38th Rossendale has always maintained a healthy waiting list of people wanting to join the Group and we are pleased that we’re able to make up a new Squirrel dray from the numbers who were waiting to join one of our two Beaver Scout Colonies. We are now looking for adult volunteers to join the team to help us deliver a brand new chapter in our story.