UK Scouts have reently celebrated one year of the Squirrels Scout section.
Here’s 10 facts about Squirrels you probably didn’t know. If you’ve not heard about the Squirrel section, it’s a new section here in UK scouting for young people aged four to six.
1-There is 11,000 young people participating as Squirrels.
2- The Squirrels section is known as a Drey, and there is at least 700 of them across the UK.
3- Each Drey is then split up into smaller groups known as Nests.
4-There is 12 activity badges and 4 challenge badges.
5- The top Squirrel badge that any Squirrel can achieve is the Chief Scout Acorn Badge.
6- The meaning of the red jumper that the Squirrels wear? Well, that represents the Red Squirrels that can be found on Brownsea Island.
7 –The leader ratio is one to six indoors plus the Squirrel leader, one to four outside plus the leader, and you must have a minimum of three adult helpers, no matter how many Squirrels attend that meeting.
8- Squirrel Scouts have a motto and a promise, but no Scout law.
9- The last new section to open in Scouts UK was over 35 years ago. Do you remember that section? Yes, it was the Beavers, and they were introduced in 1986.
10 – What’s the scout leader’s name? So in Cubs we have Akela. In Scouts, we have Skip. Squirrel Scouts’ leader is known as Red. Beaver leaders are nicknamed after characters from nature, books or films and vary from section to section, at 3rd Brampton we use animals.
There you go. 10 fascinating facts as we celebrate one year of the UK Scout Squirrel section. And if you’re a Squirrel Scout, I hope you’re having fun.
When you join our squirrel section at 3rd Brampton Scouts, you are expected to join the parent rota and help out as often as you can, so that we can run our sessions safely.
For more information about joining our squirrel sections please get in touch using our contact form.
Adapted from bigmaninthewoods
The countdown to Christmas is on!
Or watch some classic Christmas films at home
take a trip outdoors – whether that’s to your garden or local park – and build a magical snowman together. All you need to do is grab some mittens, pull on those wellies, wrap up warm and get building! Don’t forget to take a carrot for a nose and an extra scarf to keep your wintery creation nice and warm.
Family game nights
It’s the 15th century and China is facing invasion from the Huns, a nomadic tribe keen to conquer the land. In an effort to gather defence, one man from every family is called to arms. But for the patriarch of the Fa family – a former warrior of great fame and respect – there are issues preventing him from fulfilling his duties. In old age, he cannot walk properly, and is certain to perish as soon as he steps into battle. That’s when his brave daughter, Mulan – tired of being mocked for being too ambitious and too tomboyish – decides to go on a secret mission to prove her worth in a society she feels is yet to acknowledge it. One dark and stormy night, she prays to her family’s ancestors for protection before fleeing into the heart of the conflict, dressed in her farther’s armour and disguised as a man. What follows is a classic Disney story of bravery, honour and a quest for love and truth – with a difference. Released at a time where the only other princesses on screen were mostly seen swanning around in big ball gowns and fainting
‘The whole universe depends on everything fitting together just right. If one piece busts, even the smallest piece, the entire universe will get busted.’ Set in the fictional landscape of the Bath Tub (often compared to areas of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina), this is the tale of Hushpuppy, a heroic six year old who – faced with a changing climate that threatens to flood what remains of her childhood home – decides to fight back. Along the the way, she must sail the seas, battle ancient creatures unleashed from the melting ice caps, and find her feet in an increasingly hostile world. It’s a fable that’s hard to describe, but don’t let the quirky appearance fool you. Beneath the whimsey is a film of lasting depth: a celebration of friendship forged across generations, the power of imagination and the importance of never giving up. It’s a tough watch in places, with moderate swearing and several harsh truth bombs that reveal the deep divide between the rich and the poor. But watch it with young people aged eight and above and it’s sure to become a firm favourite. 
It’s 2001 in Malawi and the Kamkwamba family, like many others in the region, are struggling to make ends meet. Despite the burdensome financial costs, parents Trywell and Agnes try to keep on top of their children’s education. But when 13 year old William is forced to leave school after they fall behind on his payments, he becomes determined to help not only his family but the whole community, who are all doing their best to deal with an escalating famine
This film’s beautiful hand-drawn animations breathe life into the most magical of Celtic myths, capturing the story of the selkies – mythical creatures capable of theriantrophy: the art of changing from animal (in this case, seal) to human form. The story follows Ben, a 10 year old boy who lives with his father, Conor, sister, Saoirse, and sheepdog, Cu, in a lighthouse near the Irish shore.
Though this ’80s classic features several big scares and swears that will render it unsuitable for some young people, it remains an absolute favourite at camps and sleepovers – and it’s not difficult to figure why. 
When we’re introduced to nine year old Icare, aka Courgette, he’s alone in his bedroom, surrounded by worn down crayons and spilled beer cans. Downstairs, his mother burps and yells at the TV. A ripped up family photo lies on the floor and an argument breaks out. After a terrible fight, Courgette finds himself sent to a children’s home where, in the words of one long-time resident, ‘Everybody’s the same: there’s no one left to love us’. What follows is a hilarious, heart wrenching insight into the care system, from the point of view of those within it. Blending wry dialogue with hartwarming stop-motion animation and a great soundtrack, it’s a unique and irresistible tale of resilience, hope and humour in the face of life’s bleakest scenarios; a testament to the power of the families we create for ourselves, geniously disguised as a harmless children’s film. Suitable for adults (who’ll be bowled over by its brilliance and tenderness) and young people (who will rightly miss some of the film’s underlying themes, but gain lots nonetheless): we can’t recommend it highly enough.
Welcome to 3rd Brampton lockdown virtual group camp.
The intention, we understand, is to avoid damage to the statue as the important debate continues around the role of historical figures, following Black Lives Matters protests across the world. This is a vital moment to have honest conversations, acknowledge the huge strength of feeling and renew our commitment to education and understanding with empathy and humility. 
bring skills, kindness and courage to millions around the world. It was here that Robert Baden-Powell founded the Scouts by taking a small group of young people from diverse backgrounds to live and work together. Their aim was to learn about the great outdoors, work in teams, and show we had more in common than divides us. Since that first camp, Scouting has grown, year on year, to become today a worldwide family, some 54 million strong, in almost every nation on earth. It is, without doubt, one of the greatest youth movements in history.