{"alias":"newsItem","byline":"","standfirst":"We\u2019ve reached\u00A0an exciting milestone\u00A0of\u00A0our new Squirrels initiative, hitting\u00A0the 500\u00A0mark\u00A0for expressions of interest and\u00A0over 350 Squirrel\u00A0Dreys\u00A0being\u00A0registered on Compass.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/14815/feel-good.png","width":2560,"height":1667,"altText":"A Squirrel Scout holds up the Feel Good Activity Badge.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ETo continue supporting Squirrel\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003El\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eeaders\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, we\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0ran some\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eonline sessions\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eto help\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ewith fundraising ideas for\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EDrey\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Es\u00A0and how to make the most of Online Scout Manager.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003EMembers will also be intrigued to hear that\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0we piloted the first ever Squirrel camp\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0last month,\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0with the help of 13\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eth\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0Southampton\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E. We had\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Efour\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0leaders and 13 Squirrels spend a weekend at their Scout\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Emeeting place,\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Etaking part in lots of\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Efun\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eactivities led by\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Ethree\u00A0Young Leaders.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003ETo help us test and learn about overnight experiences for Squirrels, we\u2019ve selected a number of\u00A0Dreys\u00A0to run pilot camps in the coming months to help us continue our learning and see whether they\u2019re age appropriate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003EHow\u2019s it going?\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003ESquirrels were out scurrying around in their local communities last month as a number of Dreys attended Remembrance services across the UK. It was great to see so many 4- and 5-year-olds in their beautiful red jumpers, taking part in a wider Scouts event. \u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re committed to reach underrepresented communities with the rollout of Squirrels. From the Dreys opened so far, 28% are from low\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eincome\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eareas and 33% have more than 10% Black, As\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eian and minority ethnic young people. The use of Online Scout Manager will help\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0us\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0get more accurate\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0youth\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0da\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eta\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0so we can see whether we\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u2019ve truly reached our goal.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"\u2018From tiny acorns, mighty oaks grow\u0027","attribution":"Bear Grylls, Chief Scout ","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/14019/210510_squirrels_0653.jpg","width":5095,"height":3397,"altText":"A leader crouches down to speak to three Squirrels, wearing red jumpers and scarves, in the woods.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003EThis month, we spoke to Becca Buchanan who recently took on the role of Northern Ireland Commissioner for Squirrels. Becca joined 4\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Eth\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0Portadown Squirrels in Portadown, Northern Ireland\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E,\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0at the tender age of 4 and continued her\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EScout\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Es\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0journey int\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eo Beavers through to Explorers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EShe absolutely loved her time at Scouts and\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Etold us\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0about\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eher early teens\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E,\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0when she was going through a tough time and\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Ewas well supported by\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0her Scout\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003El\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eeaders. She felt most comfortable while at Scouts and called it her safe space.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAs soon as she turned 18, she took\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eon\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ea\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ESquirrel\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Eleader role with her old\u00A0group\u00A0and continued to take on various roles within\u00A0the\u00A0District and County in the following years. During her time as a leader, she fondly recalls\u00A0when\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0she was able to support young people through similar challenges she went through.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EBecca\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Et\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Eold\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eus how grateful she is for her whole Scout\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Es\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0journey\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E,\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0and how it\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u2019s helped her mature and advance\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0her professional career. Having once been a Squirrel in Northern Ireland, she\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Es now leading the way in her new role a\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Es all Squirrel\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EDreys\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0in Northern Ireland transition over to\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Ejoin the rest of the UK\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EBecca is a perfect example of the benefits\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EScout\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Es\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ecan bring to young people\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E. However,\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eright now\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E,\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0the gap between young people from the communities most impacted by the pandemic and their peers is widening, meaning some are falling behind.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Support Scouts","buttonLink":{"name":"Support Scouts","id":null,"url":"/about-us/support-scouts/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":{"value":"490499","label":"490499"},"alignment":"left"}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"30 November 2021","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"An update on Squirrels \u2013 involving Young Leaders and more volunteers","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2021/november/an-update-on-squirrels-involving-young-leaders-and-more-volunteers/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Off to a great start with Squirrel Scouts","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2021/october/an-update-on-squirrels/","newWindow":false}],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Squirrels","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/squirrels/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Squirrels supporters","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/supporters/squirrels-supporters/","newWindow":false}],"id":50760,"nodeName":"An update on Squirrels: over 350 Dreys registered and a camp pilot","title":"An update on Squirrels: over 350 Dreys registered and a camp pilot ","type":"newsItem","image":{"url":"/media/14815/feel-good.png?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1daab8e35cf3a50","caption":"Feel Good","type":"png","size":5890472,"width":2560,"height":1667,"altText":"A Squirrel Scout holds up the Feel Good Activity Badge."},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"An update on Squirrels: over 350 Dreys registered and a camp pilot ","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"Find out more about the exciting milestone\u00A0our new Squirrels initiative has reached","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC81MDc2MCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2021/november/an-update-on-squirrels-over-350-dreys-registered-and-a-camp-pilot/"}