Your family field guide · Ages 4–6
Ready for Squirrels.
Small beginnings can feel like big adventures. This guide helps Swineshead families prepare for Squirrels, from choosing a first sweatshirt to practising the Promise together.
Uniform, made simple
The main uniform item is a red Squirrels sweatshirt. Our group necker is black with a narrow purple inner stripe and deep green outer edging. Speak to your section team about getting the correct 7th Boston Swineshead necker and the items needed for your child.
Before buying anything for a first visit, ask us what to wear. Label uniform with your child’s name and check the retailer’s size guide. Optional accessories are not a shopping list of everything a new member must have.
Buy Squirrels uniform from Scout Store · Ask our Swineshead team about uniform
Scout Store is an external retailer. Check its current sizes, prices, delivery and returns before ordering. If cost or fit is a concern, talk to us privately about possible options before you buy.
View larger image Little badges. Big progress.
Badges celebrate progress, interests and new skills. The Chief Scout’s Acorn Award is a goal for this section; the official award pages explain the current requirements. Ask your leader about badge work done at home and how to share it with the section.
Explore official Squirrels awards and requirements · A parent’s introduction to Scout badges
Open the official Squirrels uniform and badge placement guide
Keep newly awarded badges somewhere safe until you have checked their positions. When moving sections or replacing a sweatshirt or shirt, ask which badges should move across; do not assume every old badge transfers. Leaders can also distinguish uniform awards from souvenir badges.
Your Promise & Law
The Promise is part of becoming a member and of how we treat one another afterwards. Choose the official version that reflects the young person’s beliefs, with support from your section leader. There are choices for different faiths and for people with no religious belief.
Read the exact official Promise wording and all variations
On the official page, find the Squirrel Scout Promise. Use that complete wording when practising for investiture. The notes here explain the ideas; they are not replacement words to recite.
Do Squirrels have a Law?
There is no formal Squirrel Scout Law to learn. For these younger sections, Scout values are explored through play and stories, with everyday opportunities to be thoughtful and helpful.
Read the official Laws and Promise rules — section 1.10 for Squirrels and Beavers.
Practise together
Try a short story about sharing, helping a friend or caring for a plant. Ask your child what the character could do, then practise one short phrase of their chosen Promise at a time.
If reading, speaking in front of others or remembering the words is difficult, let the leader know. Ask what support would help your young person take part comfortably. Official Makaton Promise resources are also available.
Your investiture checklist
An investiture is the welcome ceremony where a young person makes their Promise. Your section team will explain when it is happening, the chosen wording, what to wear and whether family members are invited. Please confirm these arrangements with us rather than assuming a fixed date or format.
- Talk with the leader about the Promise version the young person wishes to use.
- Read the official words together and discuss what they mean.
- Let us know about any communication or accessibility support needed.
- Check the uniform and necker arrangements before the meeting.
- Enjoy the welcome, then keep putting the Promise into practice.
For Squirrels, Beavers and Cubs, parents must know the chosen Promise before the ceremony. Read Scouts’ guidance on making the Promise.
We’re here to help
A question before the next adventure?
Whether your family lives in Swineshead, Boston or a nearby Lincolnshire village, our volunteers can help with questions about joining this section, buying the right uniform or getting ready for an investiture.
Contact 7th Boston Swineshead · Check what to pack for camp · See upcoming group events
Official reference links checked 25 September 2026. Follow the current Scouts guidance if requirements change.