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. At 16th Lancaster, we have two Beaver Colonies. They meet on a Monday and Wednesday from 18:00 until 19:00
What do Beavers get up to?
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 doorstep, because being a Beaver is all about making the most of what you have, wherever and whoever you are.
We try and get away from our hut and outside for roughly half our meetings. At least once a year we go on camp and stay overnight. Sometimes in tents and sometimes we have a ‘sleepover’ inside. On camp, we enjoy campfires, toasting marshmallows, playing games in the dark and thoroughly enjoying the adventurous outdoors. Over the past year we have ‘slept’ at Giggles soft play, camped in huts at Silverhelme Scout Campsite, and in tents at Waddecar Scout Campsite.
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 Monday or Wednesday night, they always lend a hand.
Who leads Beavers?
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. Our Beaver leaders are nicknamed after characters from nature, books or films.
Within their Colony, Beavers are also part of a Lodge. A Lodge is a smaller group of Beavers, headed up by a young person who takes on a peer leadership role known as a Lodge Leader.
Being a lodge 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 stand together in their Lodges at the beginning and end of meetings. They tend to stick together on trips away, or during certain activities.
We have 4 lodges, each represented by a different colour, and named after woodland animals. They are:
- Otters (green)
- Badges (blue)
- Moles (red)
- Foxes (yellow)
How to join
Lots of young people want to join Beavers and you might have to wait for a space to become available before you can start your journey. If you have any questions about accessibility, it’s best to contact us in addition to your application. 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.
If you are interested in joining, click here to add your name to the waiting list and someone will be in touch.
On your first night at Beavers, you’ll be taking part in lots of activities, and should just wear something you feel comfortable in.
Eventually, you’ll get your own Beaver uniform to wear to meetings and on trips and nights 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 Colony. It also gives you a place to show off all the Beaver badges you earn.
For Beavers, the uniform consists of a blue sweatshirt with your badges sewn on and a coloured scarf or ‘necker’ to represent your local group. For the bottom part, we suggest that young people wear what ever they would as part of their school uniform, this is usually dark grey / black trousers, joggers, skirts or skorts Uniform can either be bought from the online shop – Scout Store – or from the local Scout Shop in Lancaster. If you’re not sure where to start, adult volunteers can give you more information about what to buy and where to buy it.