Beaver Scouts is the youngest section of the Scouts movement in the UK, designed for children aged 6 to 8. For nervous or shy children, joining a completely new social group can feel overwhelming — both for kids and parents.
After failed attempts at football, gymnastics and several after school clubs, we were convinced Beaver Scouts would end the same way for our son Robbie. A year later, he’s volunteering for overnight camps and speaking in front of crowds.
What Happens On The First Day Of Beavers?
Robbie was anxious walking in on the first day. The group leaders were so friendly and came straight up to speak to us and welcome him in.
Whilst everyone was arriving, the kids were running around playing football together and I could see in Robbie’s eyes that he wanted to join but was too shy to get involved. Luckily for us, a friend from his school is also a Beaver Scout and he encouraged Robbie to play… And he never looked back!
We were told that we could stay and watch the session if we were concerned about how Robbie would get on. From experience, he struggles more when we are there as he sees it as an opportunity to cry and escape, so we decided to leave him to it and deal with any drama at the end!
At collection time we were stunned to see Robbie with a huge grin on his face holding a Father’s Day craft he had made and telling us how much he loved it!
Of course, every first day is different and the new Beaver Scouts settle straight in and join whatever activities were already planned for the day.
What Activities Do Beaver Scouts Do?
Our local Clacton Beavers have done so many different kids activities, ranging from sessions designed for growth, learning and simply having fun.
We often find ourselves dropping off and picking Robbie up from different places when the weather suits as the Beavers go for walks through woods, beaches and any other local sites.
They have visited local play centres and taken part in rock climbing in the last few weeks too, in preparation for their Summer camp.
The Beavers have also had evenings at the local police station, lifeboat centre and fire station where they have been allowed to take a good look around and learn all about our emergency services. Robbie particularly enjoyed being able to walk around in the huge lifeboat and couldn’t believe they managed to get the whole Beaver group on there at once!
It is always refreshing to see him return from a session full of excitement and fun tales rather than telling us about things that scared him or he was too shy to participate in.
Weekend Activities At Beaver Scouts
Aside from our usual Thursday night sessions, Beaver Scouts often hold events at weekends and these have often been the best activities for helping build Robbie’s character and beat the nerves.
For any parent looking to make the most out of their child’s experience with Beavers, I would highly recommend taking part in as many of these activity days as possible.
A recent event included standing in front of all ages of scouts and parents at scout HQ and making his Beaver pledge. It sounds simple but even adults know how difficult it can be speaking in front of a large audience and Robbie smashed it!
I promise to do my best, to be kind and helpful, and to love our world. (The Beaver scouts pledge)
Most kids will be nervous in front of a large group, but all being in the same boat and surrounded by friendly faces is a great way for them to face their fear and build social skills that will last a lifetime.
Other incredible public activities that Robbie has done through Beavers include pier to pier sponsored walks, taking part in the local Remembrance Sunday event and being a part of the Clacton Easter parade. These large social events are always a little scary for me as a Dad, but I am so proud watching my son overcome his nerves and give them a go.
Next week is the biggest event in the Scouts social calendar as they go camping overnight together. This event is for Scouts of all ages and camping overnight is optional.
We were planning to let Robbie go for the day and then pick him up at night as he loves his home comforts. To our astonishment, he told us that he wants to stay for the night and is looking forward to it now. He’s come a long way from the shy kid that entered Beaver Scouts a year ago.
Is Beaver Scouts Expensive?
Times are hard right now and I’ve never been one to hand over money I don’t have to! Our Beavers group in Clacton is an ongoing expense, though it is one that I consider great value for money.
The cost of joining the Beavers group in Clacton is £35 per term, which is around £3 per session. This price does vary between groups across the country so be sure to check the pricing for your local branch.
This money has covered everything from theatre trips to zoo outings and there’s no doubt it is extremely cheap considering what Beavers provide.
There is also a requirement to buy uniform which can always add up with the speed that kids shoot up. Our Clacton group provided everything Robbie needed free of charge when he joined but we have had to buy a couple more shirts and jumpers at £12 each as he’s grown.
There are also small costs to consider if you want your child to join in on some of the weekend activities. Though all efforts are clearly made to keep the cost to parents as low as possible, fundraiser events such as bingo, raffles and fairs are held regularly and if your little Beaver is eager (I had to say it) these pennies can soon add up.
Earning Badges At Beaver Scouts
Robbie is obsessed with badges. They give him a real sense of achievement and every time he gets one, having it sewn onto his jumper must become our number one priority in life even though the jumper won’t be seen for another week.
Many of the Beaver Scout badges are easy to get and kids will earn them naturally through taking part in events and sessions. For example, taking part in the pier to pier walk was rewarded with a badge for walking a long distance.
Others are a little more difficult and require the Beaver to act within the values and principles of the group in their everyday life. A badge such as caring for animals has to be earned in their own time and can be tricky if you don’t have pets. Robbie was keen to help when we looked after a friend’s cat for a weekend in order to get his badge and we provided photos and a letter stating how Robbie took care of him.
Beaver Scouts FAQ
What age is Beaver Scouts in the UK?
Beaver Scouts is the youngest section of the Scouts movement in the UK and is designed for children aged 6 to 8 years old. Most groups allow children to join shortly before their sixth birthday depending on spaces and local waiting lists.
Is Beaver Scouts good for shy or nervous children?
In our experience, Beaver Scouts has been fantastic for helping a nervous child build confidence. The friendly group environment, teamwork activities and encouragement from leaders helped Robbie gradually come out of his shell without feeling pressured.
Every child is different of course, but Beavers has given him opportunities to try new experiences, make friends and overcome fears in a safe environment.
What happens at a Beaver Scouts session?
Every Beaver Scouts group runs slightly differently, but our local sessions usually include games, crafts, outdoor activities, teamwork challenges and badge work. Special events and trips are also organised throughout the year.
Many groups also encourage children to build independence, social skills and confidence through group activities and public events.
Do parents stay at Beaver Scouts?
Parents are usually welcome to stay during a child’s first Beaver Scouts session if they are nervous or anxious. However, many children settle more quickly once parents leave and the leaders are very experienced at helping new Beavers feel included.
How much does Beaver Scouts cost?
The cost of Beaver Scouts varies depending on your local group and the activities included. Our Clacton group charges around £35 per term, though some groups may cost more depending on trips, facilities and events.
You may also need to budget for uniform and occasional extra activity costs throughout the year.
Is Beaver Scouts worth it?
For our family, Beaver Scouts has absolutely been worth it. The confidence Robbie has gained over the last year has been incredible and the variety of activities gives children experiences they simply would not get from school alone.
The Final Verdict: Is Beaver Scouts Worth It?
Absolutely. Without a doubt. 100% yes.
From the shy and nervous kid that walked in to his first Beaver Scout session a year ago to the boy now desperate to stay out overnight camping, the difference is unbelievable.
Beavers has taught my son to overcome his fears and take part in so many great activities as well as teaching him practical skills that school just can’t replicate.
The day trips are amazing fun, the community events build his character and the friendly volunteers who run Beavers ensure that he never feels anything but comfortable.
Quite simply, the fact that Robbie has been going for over a year now is enough evidence for me that my £3 a week is possibly the smartest investment I ever made!
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