At Great Barton Scout Group we currently run three youth sections. Each one is designed to match the capabilities and growth of young people, while offering excitement, challenge, and steady progression.
| Section | Age Range | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Scouts | 6 – 8 years | Our Beavers have fun exploring through games, crafts, short camps, nature walks, and simple challenges. |
| Cub Scouts | 8 – 10½ years | In Cubs, members grow in confidence and skills: they try new activities, take part in camp experiences, work on team challenges, go on hikes, and meet the wider world. |
| Scouts | 10½ – 14 years | Scouts take on more responsibility: planning expeditions, leadership roles, more ambitious camps and adventurous activities. |
Squirrels (Ages 4 – 6)
We hope to launch a Squirrel Drey in the future — the newest and youngest section in Scouting for children aged 4 to 6. Squirrels take part in simple hands-on activities that help them learn, play, and explore together, building confidence before moving on to Beavers.
To make this happen, we need to form a team of adult volunteers to run the section. Training and support are provided, and time commitments are flexible. If you’d be interested in helping us start Squirrels in Great Barton, please get in touch — you’ll be helping bring adventure to even more young people in our community.
Beavers (Ages 6 – 8)
Wednesdays, 5pm to 6.15pm.
Beavers are our youngest section. Here, children try new things, make friends, and begin their Scouting journey in a supportive environment. Typical activities include:
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Craft, games, stories and exploration
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Nature walks, den-building, bug hunts
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Mini camps and sleepovers
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Simple challenges that build confidence
The Beaver Colony is split into Lodges and each appointed a Lodge Leader. Beavers work toward Joining In Awards, Challenge Awards, and eventually the Chief Scout’s Bronze Award.
When the time is right a Beaver will move up to Cubs.
You can find out more about uniform and badges on the Scout Website
Beavers is led by Debbie Corwin (Bubbles) with help from Marie (Malak), Reuben (Rusty), Ruth (Raksha) and Hannah (Keeo).
Cubs (Ages 8 – 10½)
Mondays, 6.30pm to 8pm.
Cub Scouts get more independence and a broader range of experiences. In this section they:
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Tackle activity challenges (arts, science, outdoors, community)
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Go on day hikes, overnight camps, and expeditions
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Develop teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills
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Engage with the local community and service projects
The young people in the Cub Pack are divided into smaller groups called Sixes, led by a Sixer and Seconder.
They work toward Challenge Awards, Activity Badges, and the Chief Scout’s Silver Award.
You can find out more about uniform and badges on the Scout Website.
Cubs is led by John Pitcher (Akela) with help from Duncan (Colonel Hathi), Reuben (Rusty), Charles, Oliver and Helen.
Scouts (Ages 10½ – 14)
Thursdays, 7pm to 8.45pm.
The Scout Troop builds further in adventure, skill, and responsibility. In Scouts, members:
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Plan and lead overnight camps, hikes, expeditions
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Continue with adventurous activities including canoeing, climbing, navigation, survival skills.
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Take on leadership roles, mentor younger members
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Explore worldwide and community programmes
The Scouts are split into groups called Patrols which are led by a Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader. Scouts is a youth-led organisation, so we meet with the patrol leaders to help plan the termly programme.
Scouts work toward Staged Activity Badges, Challenge Awards, and the Chief Scout’s Gold Award
You can find out more about uniform and badges on the Scout Website
Scouts is led by Jonathan Corwin (Skip), with help from Duncan and Alan
Explorers (Ages 14 – 18)
After Scouts, young people can continue their adventure by joining Explorers. Explorer Units are run as part of the District rather than individual groups, however we are fortunate to have the Discovery Explorer unit meet at our HQ on alternate Fridays from 7pm to 9pm.
Explorers take Scouting to the next level with greater independence and challenge: planning their own camps, expeditions, and international trips, while working toward top awards such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Chief Scout’s Platinum and Diamond Awards, and ultimately the King’s Scout Award. They develop leadership, resilience, and practical skills for life — and have plenty of fun along the way.
Young Leaders
From age 14, Explorers can also take part in the Young Leaders’ Scheme, volunteering with the Beaver, Cub, or Scout sections to gain experience in leadership, teamwork, and programme planning. Young Leaders help run activities, support younger members, and learn to lead through doing. Their training counts toward awards like the Duke of Edinburgh’s and helps develop skills that are valuable in education, work, and life. Many of our current adult leaders first began their journey as Young Leaders within the Group. We are fortunate that a good number of our Scouts stay on to become Young Leaders at Great Barton.
District Events
As well as organise our own activities within the group, we also meet up with other Scout groups in the local area for District Events, these may be trips, camps, water activities, hikes or inter-group competitions.
Why these Sections?
Scouting is designed around progressive development—each stage builds on the last. Beavers introduce young members to Scouting in a friendly, playful way; Cubs broaden horizons while giving more structure; Scouts challenge members to become confident, responsible, and adventurous. Together these sections help young people grow in character, resilience, and community spirit.