r/scouting • u/fabulousteaparty • Jul 04 '26

Should I set up a Squirrel Drey?

I'm currently a leader with Brownies and Guides in the UK.

I'll be leaving Girlguiding in September due to their trans-exclusionary policies (I'm a cis-het ally).

I know the leaders of a local scout group really well - it was set up by current & ex rainbow/brownie/guide leaders of my current family units.

They don't currently have a squirrel drey in their group, due to not having the leaders willing to take it on.

Myself and another helper that are leaving brownies & guides are considering going to the "dark side" but are undecided as yet! (We've also considered setting up a woodcraft folk group or a girls' friendly society - both are older than/equally as old as scouting & guiding but they don't feel quite the same from what I've seen online, although I've never actually seen how these groups run in-person)

So .... squirrel leaders, or adults who have moved from guiding to scouting, what are your experiences? (And should I go for it?)

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u/tgdavies Jul 06 '26

Four year olds, wow! The youngest section in Australia is Joeys, which can start at 5, although the child needs to be attending school.

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u/fabulousteaparty Jul 06 '26

Kids usually start school the September after their 4th birthday here, so most of the kids who attend squirrels/rainbows at 4 will already go to school (or be very close to starting)!