Beavers

Welcome to Winchcombe 1st Scouts Beaver Colony.  We are one of the oldest Scout groups in the country, having been established in 1908!  Being a Beaver is all about growing and learning in small but mighty ways. We do this by exploring the great outdoors, trying new activities, learning new things, and helping others.

Winchcombe 1st Scout group are part of the Tewkesbury District and today we have around 18 children in our Beaver Colony (6-8 years). We are lucky to have our own Scout hut (HQ) in Winchcombe with river frontage.

Meetings

We meet on a Wednesday evening from 6.15pm to 7.15pm within school term time.

Where

We usually meet at the Scout Hut in Winchcombe although we do often meet at other local venues depending on the activity. You will be notified in advance of any changes to the meeting location.

Parental involvement

At the beginning of each Beaver term parents are invited to attend a Beavers ‘Planning’ meeting (normally via Zoom) as parental involvement is essential for us to continue to run the group. This could mean you helping for one meeting a term, running a meeting if you have any specialist skills which you think could benefit our Beavers or as a regular adult helper.

All of our leaders are trained volunteers, working to make sure Scouting is safe, inclusive and accessible. Some lead the Colony week in and week out. Others visit occasionally to help run a session or drop in to share their skills. No matter how much time you have to spare, find out about volunteering on your own terms.

Activities

Get an introduction to outdoor activities, have the opportunity to be creative, explore your local community and experience the excitement of a Beaver Scout sleepover with your friends.

Awards

Completing awards challenges you to do more, learn more and be more. See what’s on offer and start your journey to the top.

Beaver Promise and Investiture

An Investiture is a ceremony where the child makes their Scout Promise – some people call them Promise ceremonies. During this ceremony our attendees are welcomed to Beavers and officially become a member of both their Colony and the worldwide Scout family.

As a values based movement we all make the ‘The Promise’ an oath that helps us to be our best.

We welcome parents to attend this meeting. When they make their promise, the children receive a group Necker, lodge woggle, group name tape, local Scout badge and the World Membership Badge.

Scouts is open to people of all faiths and of none. That’s why we have different variations of our Promise, so that everyone’s included and can say a set of words that means something to them.

The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are Atheist or of no faith background

I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love our world.

The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are Buddhist

I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to act with love towards everyone.

The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are Christian

I promise to do my best and to be kind and helpful and to love God

 The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are Hindu

I promise to do my best and to be kind and helpful and to love the world.

The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are Humanist

I promise to do my best and to be kind and helpful and to love our world.

The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are Jewish

I promise to do my best and to be kind and helpful and to love God

The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are Muslim

I promise to do my best and to be kind and helpful and to love Allah

The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are Sikh

I promise to do my best and to be kind and helpful and to love Waheguru.

Moving up to Cubs

Eventually, it’ll be time to say farewell to Beavers and embrace your next big adventure.

OSM

Online Scout Manager is the system we use to manage the group, meetings, subscriptions, and information. You will receive an email invitation to login to your account. Please can you keep this up to date with key information and especially ensure that all medical information is kept up to date.

What to wear

Children do not need to wear uniform until they are invested, this usually happens after 4-5 weeks. The uniform consists of a Group Necker scarf (which we provide) and turquoise sweatshirt which you will purchase. The turquoise T-shirt is optional. You can order this from the Scout Shop. Please send your Beaver in with appropriate clothing dependent on the activity, this is normally a Beaver top, their Necker, trousers and comfortable shoes/trainers.

For formal events like the Remembrance parade all Beavers will be expected to wear smart shoes and trousers with their uniform and scarves (school trousers and shoes will be fine).

Badges

Each term we work towards the children achieving badges. You can see the progress of your child’s badges in OSM. We give out badges a couple of times a term.

Position of badges on a Beaver uniform

Subscription Payments

Payments are managed through OSM and this currently stands at £34 per term. In case you are unaware, everyone at Winchcombe Scout Group is a volunteer, the ‘Subs’ go towards the heat, lighting and maintenance of the hut, as well as a subscription to our membership of the Scout UK group which includes access to resources and insurance.

We want Beavers to be accessible to all children and may be able to help with subscription costs and uniform if you are struggling – please let us know.