Beaver Scouts (The Scout Association)

Beaver Scouts
Beaver Scout section logo
OwnerThe Scout Association
Age range6–8
CountryUnited Kingdom
Founded1986
Membership112,750 children (January 2023)[1]
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Cub Scouts
Website
http://www.scouts.org.uk/beavers
 Scouting portal

Beaver Scouts, often shortened to Beavers, is the second youngest official section of Scouting operated by The Scout Association in the United Kingdom. The core age range for Beaver Scouts is six to eight years. Sections of Beaver Scouts are known as Colonies and are run locally by Scout Groups.[2][3] After reaching the age of eight, a Beaver Scout will then move on to Cub Scouts.[4] The section officially launched in 1986 but had existed before this as trial and unofficial sections as far back as 1963.[5][6]

Beaver Scouts share many of the features of older Scouting sections such as badges for skills learned and challenges and a uniform consisting of a light blue sweatshirt. They take a simplified version of the Scout promise.[7][8] Beavers Scouts are open to boys and girls, a change introduced in 1991, and are open to those of different faiths, or none.[9]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference annual 22-23 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Who are Beavers?". scouts.org.uk. The Scout Association. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Policy Organisation and Rules; Chapter 3: The Scout Group; Rule 3.7: The Beaver Scout Colony". scouts.org.uk. The Scout Association. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Who lead's Beavers?". scouts.org.uk. The Scout Association. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference ScoutBase BS history was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Stories 114 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "What do Beavers get up to?". scouts.org.uk. The Scout Association. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference promise was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ "Policy Organisation and Rules; Chapter 3: The Scout Group; Rule 3.1: Membership of the Scout Group". scouts.org.uk. The Scout Association. Retrieved 24 September 2020.