Beavers

Who are Beavers?

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.

What do Beavers do?

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.

The Beaver Colony

Each Colony is made up of young people aged 6 to 8, led by an adult Beaver leader. Other adult volunteers are on hand to supervise activities, share their skills and keep everyone safe. In some groups, Beaver leaders are nicknamed after characters from nature, books or films. In others, Beavers call their leader by their real first name.

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 (sometimes known as a Lodge Leader or Junior 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.

The bigger Scout family

There are Scouts all over the world. From the rainy rainforests of the Amazon to the smallest of the Scottish Isles, Beavers are a part of this worldwide Scout family. Closer to home, they’re also part of their wider local Scout Group, alongside Cubs (aged 8 to 10 1/2), and Scouts (aged 10 1/2 to 14). When they’re older, they can also join Explorers (for young people aged 14 to 18) and Scout Network (for young people aged 18-25). Although both of these are closely associated with the younger sections, they are not part of the local Scout Group.

The Beaver Promise

As well as enjoying plenty of adventures, being a Beaver is about exploring who you are and what you stand for. These are big ideas, and when you join the Colony, you’ll start thinking about them by making a promise. A promise is a set of words that mean something to you, which you try to follow everyday.

Making the promise is a big celebration within the Colony. Every time a new Beaver decides to join, they chat through their promise with their leader before saying it out loud in front of their fellow Beavers. Family and friends might come along to see this, too. Doing this is called being ‘invested’ into Beavers, and it usually takes place once you’ve had a few weeks to settle in.

Everyone is unique but there are some things all Beavers agree on – such as treating everyone with kindness and promising to do their best. Depending on their own beliefs, they might also promise to live by their faith.

Beavers choose the promise that best suits them. 

Badges, Awards & Uniform

Badges and Awards

Our badges and awards are part of what makes us Scouts. And Scouts love earning them!

Animal lover – check. Book worm – check. Photographer – check. Footballer – check. Daredevil – check.

You name it, we’ve got a badge for it – over 200 of them actually. Beavers work together on badges at their weekly meetings, away at camps and events, or at home. 

There’s never any pressure to do badges. Beavers can do as many or as few as they like.

But for those up for a challenge, there are loads of exciting badges to aim for, such as the Chief Scout’s Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. These are the highest awards that Beavers, Cubs and Scouts can earn. And for those going even further, the Queen’s Scout Award is the top achievement for young people in Scouts.

Beaver Uniform

Once you’ve had time to settle in, you’ll get your own uniform to wear during meetings and on trips away.

Wearing a uniform is comfy and practical. It means no one feels uncomfortable or left out and helps everyone to feel a part of the Pack. It also gives you a place to show off all the badges you earn.

Beavers usually wear a blue jumper with their badges sewn on, which they pair with their Troop or Group scarf. 

Uniforms can either be bought from Leicestershire Scout Shop, National Scout Store, online at another supplier, or you may find a second-hand uniform on sites like eBay, Facebook.

How to Join!

Beavers is open to all, and adjustments can always be made locally to make sure everyone can join in the fun. If you have any questions about accessibility, it’s best to chat with your local leader as soon as possible. By being upfront about additional needs from the start, parents/carers can work in partnership with local leaders to make sure their young person has the best experience possible. More information on specific adjustments can be found at https://www.scouts.org.uk/accessibility-at-the-scouts/

Contact Us

If you are interested in joining us, click below. You will need to let us know some basic information to help us get back to you.

Response

We will be in touch to arrange next steps. If there is space at 1st Markfield Beavers and you are of the right age, we will confirm your space and make arrangements for your child.

If we do not currently have any space available, we will ask whether you would like to join our waiting list. We may also provide you with other local groups contact information.

Your first night

During your first night, we will introduce you to our Beaver Colony and introduce you to some of our usual games and activities. You should start to learn your Beaver promise ahead of your investiture. You don’t need to wear anything special on your first night.

Investiture

After 5-6 weeks from starting at Beavers, you will be invested. This is were you will make your Beaver Scout promise, receive your necker and joining badges, and will officially have joined 1st Markfield Scout Group and worldwide scouting. Family and friends will also be invited to the investiture.