Beavers

Boys and Girls aged 5-7

Beavers started in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as a three year experiment approved by the National Council in May, 1972. It became an overnight success prompting Scouts Canada to adopt it as an official program in 1974. Since that time, many other countries have modeled similar programs after our Beaver program. Thanks to Beavers and similar programs in other countries, youth throughout the world are able to join Scouting at a much earlier age.

The Beaver Program stems from the book FRIENDS OF THE FOREST, written specifically for Beavers. The book describes how the Jones family have "come to live in the clearing along the river bank" and how they quickly become aware of their new neighbours, a colony of beavers that also live along the river bank. The story illustrates how the beaver colony observes the Jones family, giving them names and then eventually how the beavers meet the members of the Jones family, mom, dad and their three children. The story is the background resource which provides the terminology, setting, theme and program material for operating a Beaver Colony.

The Beaver program is built around a lively variety of games, crafts, music, story-telling, playacting, spiritual fellowship and the outdoors. Beaver activities stress co-operation and teamwork, and can involve the whole family. The outdoors is an essential part of the Beaver program. Weekend events, picnics, short nature hikes and family based camping opportunities round out the Beaver experience. To meet the Mission and Principles of Scouts Canada in the Beaver program, the following GOALS guide activities that encourage Beavers to:

    Beavers meet in a group called a colony. The colony is split into smaller groups called lodges. There is one leader for every five Beavers. Each Beaver learns a promise, law and motto to help guide their personal development.

The official uniform for Beavers is:

The colours brown and blue symbolize nature; brown for the earth and the beaver’s fur coat, and blue for the clear sky and fresh sparkling water. White is the colour of the moon and stars. They give us light to help us find our way through the darkness of the night and symbolize distant goals, seemingly far away but attainable.

The Beaver program emphasizes having fun while encouraging children to feel good about themselves, their friends and family, God, and nature. Beavers helps children learn basic social skills and gain self confidence.

Other items worn on the uniform are the registration flash, positioned below the Beavers Canada strip on the vest, and the Beaver tail, attached to the back of the hat. Teach your Beaver to respect his/her uniform and wear it proudly. After your child is invested, encourage him/her to wear the full uniform. These items, along with other related books and accessories, are featured in the Scouts Canada catalogue and are available at your local Scout Shop. Check your yellow pages for the Scout Shop nearest you.

Beaver Promise:
I promise to love God and help take care of the world.

 

Beaver Law:
A Beaver has fun, works hard and helps his family and friends.

 

Beaver Motto:

Sharing, Sharing, Sharing