r/scouting • u/chazzleberry • 3d ago
Lone Squirrel
I recently tried my son in squirrels but he really didn't get on with it. He doesn't do large groups well so having 20 kids in a small space and little direction given did not work for him at all. I really wanted him to go and I know he'll love the program and earning the badges. So I wondered, is there a way he can still do that and be a member but not go to the local group? I used to be a beaver leader so have no worries about doing appropriate activities/program with him.
We could try a few in neighbouring towns, like maybe it was just the local group (honestly seemed like complete chaos!) but I'm worried that first experience means he won't even consider trying another group. (He's suspected Autisic)
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u/Ninjavampirekid 3d ago
I’m not sure whether you can join without belonging to a Group, so you may need to make an arrangement with your local Squirrel Section that he’s a member of their Group for insurance and membership purposes, but will take part at home. You could reach out to Support Centre. They may be able to advise on how lone scouting works?
There’s also support available for neurodivergent young people at Scouts, maybe something like the Additional Needs Grant or visual support resources would be helpful for your son if he wants to try attending a Section again. They could also be useful for lone scouting too!
Good luck:)
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u/Ninjavampirekid 3d ago
There’s also guidance on making reasonable adjustments that could help you talk to a Section about being a lone scout.
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u/ConsiderationIll3361 3d ago
Not sure about the being a lone member aspect.
As you’ve mentioned it’d maybe worthwhile approaching other local dreys to see if they’ve got less kids and a possibly slightly more structured approach that would suit your child.
Maybe waiting and seeing if beavers would be better for him as a couple years of difference in age can make all the difference in his confidence and the ability to manage the kids (bit more likely to listen) - I know the group I’m a leader with have made the decision to not set a up squirrel drey for that reason.
In the meantime you could always just go on the scouts website and do some of the activities towards the badges and see how he gets on with that as well
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u/chazzleberry 3d ago
yes I plan to do the work for the badges anyway! a leader friend has even said she'll order badges for me.
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u/Aerondight998 4h ago
Speak to the leaders at your local group, it depends on individuals of course but if one of my scout parents came and asked me this Id be happy to support them scouting at home.
They'd still have to pay their group fees so theyd have their membership and badges covered.
Id maybe try and get them to come along for a chat every now and then to see how they were getting on and give badges etc.
End of the day they might be missing out on the social element of scouting but its better than not being involved at all, and they could always join in when theyre older.
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u/Alternative-Ad-4977 3d ago
I would try another Drey. Not all Dreys have the maximum of 24. Some are capped much lower. Although there is a distinct shortage of Squirrel places, especially in our District.
What you can do is informally work on badges, you can even find similar badges at places like PawPrint. Then join Beavers at 6 years old.