A NORTHWICH Scout group is the first in Mid Cheshire to trial a new session for four to six-year-olds. 

1st Hartford Scout Group launched its Squirrels section in September this year, and it has proved so popular that it already has more children on its waiting list than it can have in its sessions.

Scouts have been piloting Squirrels across the UK and Ireland for the last two years, but it was only this year that Scout groups were encouraged to set up a 'dray' of their own.

1st Hartford's Squirrels section leader and group secretary Alison Clarke said she couldn’t be happier with how the roll-out has gone.

Alison said: “When it was mentioned in one of our meetings that we were thinking of trying Squirrels, I just jumped at the chance.

“Kids are like sponges at that age, and what a great opportunity, not just for the children, but for us as a Scout group to get involved in the first scheme in the area.

“As a group, we’ve found that since lockdown our waiting lists have increased. The demand for people wanting to get their kids outside is huge.

“This is why Squirrels is so important – the age group that they are, they’ve spent a third of their lives in lockdown, and it’s such a vital time for their learning.

“The demand is there, but we need more adult volunteers before we can roll it out across the district."

The Squirrels programme of activities is like that of Beavers and Cubs, who focus on being active and exploring outdoors while learning and having fun, as well as earning badges for new skills and achievements.

“They’re mad on badges. They love having something to work towards, and something to show for it at the end.

“We also look for opportunities where we can help the community, like litter picking. I know they’re only four to six, but they are more than capable at that age of getting stuck in.

“And even though they’re between four and six, they still do fire badge work.”

1st Hartford's Squirrels meet at the scout hut on Bradburns Lane on Thursdays, between 5pm and 6pm.