TUESDAY BEAVERS - MORE INFORMATION   

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS OF PROSPECTIVE BEAVERS

(This is extracted from a leaflet for potential Beavers)

As your child enters the Beaver Colony, they are joining the exciting world of Scouting. We hope that they enjoy their time within the section and the Scouting movement. This leaflet has been developed to answer questions that you may have about the Beaver Section. The Beaver Colony is part of the Scout Group: children who are 6 or 7 years old belong to the Beaver Colony. They then move to our Cub Pack at 8 years old, and then to our Scout Troop at 10.5 years old.

This leaflet cannot tell you in detail about the programmes and activities open for our Beavers. Nor can it tell you about the great enthusiasm, friendliness and cooperation within the Beaver Colony, which together with the long tradition of Scouting, make being a Beaver special.

AIMS

The aim of Scouting is "to promote the development of young people in achieving their full potential".  Of course, it is the way this aim is achieved that is important.  We aim to have a good variety of activities that mix excitement, adventure, challenge and fun. Alongside the activities, the Group provides a friendly, safe atmosphere. 

ADULT LEADERSHIP

The Beaver Colony is currently run by the BeaverScout Leader and a team of assistant leaders and adult helpers. There is a rota of parent helpers providing important adult support and almost all families belong to this, so that each parent is involved in one or two meetings each term.

WEEKLY MEETINGS

We currently meet on Tuesday evenings from 5.45 p.m. to 6.45, and our meetings are a mixture of games, fun, adventure and challenge. Most  meetings and activities are organized for the whole Beaver Colony,  although a few events may be for children with particular interests or age.  The Colony has up to 24 Beavers, divided  into smaller groupings (called lodges) for some parts of the programme.

Scouting is a uniformed organization. Beavers wear a light blue top and dark blue cargo trousers. All members of the Group wear our Group neckerchief.

Our weekly meetings are mainly based at our Group Headquarters in Hall Heath Close, just off Sandpit Lane between Fleetville and Marshalswick. This is located next to The Wick and we make extensive use of this woodland and field during the Summer months.

In addition, there a few Group events, which Beavers join with Cubs and Scouts. For example we have a fireworks evening, and occasional joint meetings. Beavers may also go on days out, for example

WHAT DO BEAVER SCOUTS DO?

The Principles of the Beaver Scout Programme are: Making friends Sharing Using a variety of groupings Making progress Keeping the promise Having fun   These underpin all that is done in Beaver Scouting. They describe what Beaver Scouting is all about and ensures that the colonies provide real Scouting to youngsters of Beaver Age.

Methods used in Beaver Scouting include the following: Make things Meet new people Sing and make music Listen to stories Pray and worship Try New Things Chat Use the Outdoors Follow Themes Act and Mime Go on Visits Play Games

This describes how beaver Scouts take part in the programme each week:

Beaver Scouts learn about the themselves - exploring their feelings and developing good habits of health and hygiene

Beaver Scouts get to know people - Finding out about people in their family, the family of Scouting, and the local community and wider world

Beaver Scouts explore - discovering the exciting world of science, nature and technology, exploring the natural and man made world.

Beaver Scouts care - growing in their love of God and responding to the needs of others, the local community and the wider world.

Beaver Scouts learn to do things in small groups as well as individually.

Much of the “learning” is done through simple games.

BADGES

Scouting has traditionally had badges that can be gained by members for all sorts of activities. Beavers have badges to some extent, mainly for participation. Some activities may be built around such badges (e.g. for “exploring” – we have the Wick woodland at the Group’s doorstep - or computers). For the Beaver age group, such badges are not stressed, but are used to add an impetus to learning and participation.

COST

Scouting remains a very cheap activity:  the subscription to be in the Beavers covers all costs relating to weekly meetings.  Costs of any activities such as visits are paid for by those attending.

WHAT NEXT?

When your Beaver starts coming to our meetings, you will get an information pack,  which will tell you all you need to know about getting uniform,  upcoming programmes etc.

For more information  contact us