How to join
How to join
The first step to becoming a Beaver is to find your nearest Colony using our finder tool. To get started, reach out to a local leader to see if spaces are available and find out more about where and when the group meets.
Beavers is open to all, and we can usually tweak things to make sure everyone can join in the fun. If you have any questions about accessibility, chat with your local leader as soon as possible. Read our guidance on supporting those with additional needs.
Lots of young people want to join Beavers and you might have to wait for a space to become available before you can start your journey. If your local Colony has a waiting list, parents and other adults might want to think about what they could do to help out. Regardless of skillset or availability, there’s an opportunity for everyone to contribute.
On your first night at Beavers, you’ll be taking part in lots of activities, and should just wear something you feel comfortable in.
Eventually, you’ll get your own Beaver uniform to wear to meetings and on trips and nights away. Wearing a uniform is comfy and practical. It means no one feels uncomfortable or left out and helps everyone to feel a part of the Colony. It also gives you a place to show off all the Beaver badges you earn.
For Beavers, the uniform consists of a blue sweatshirt with your badges sewn on and a coloured scarf or ‘necker’ to represent your local group. There are lots of other optional accessories you can wear such as hats and hoodies. Uniform can either be bought from our online shop - Scout Store - or from a local supplier. If you’re not sure where to start, adult volunteers can give you more information about what to buy and where to buy it.
The cost of going to Beavers will vary depending on how your local Colony does things. Usually, a basic fee covering the cost of the hire and upkeep of the Beaver meeting place will be collected weekly, monthly, termly or annually - depending on local arrangements. Trips, camps and activities that take place away from the usual meeting place are usually charged separately.
Beavers is designed to be an accessible and affordable way for young people to learn lots of new skills through a single membership. Nobody should feel excluded from Beaver activities because of money worries. If they’re concerned about costs, adults should speak to their local leader in confidence, to see what they can do to help. In most cases, support is available to make sure nobody misses out. You can find out more about our grants here.