7th Blackpool Squirrel Scouts are the first Group to have a sleepover in the County!
7th Blackpool Scout Group, based at the Freedom Centre on Mereside got their sleeping bags out and activities at the ready for the first Squirrels Sleepover ever in West Lancashire!
14 Squirrel Scouts, young people aged 4-6 years old, stayed overnight and didn’t want to go home the next morning! They started on Friday evening off with a classic McDonald’s tea and then made their very own tea light campfires. Working together the Squirrels made dens to sleep in. Then it was on to some marshmallow toasting and some classic campfire songs.
The morning birds starting singing on the Saturday morning… or maybe it was the Squirrels waking up at 5:30am! With an earlier than planned breakfast on the table, the volunteers got stuck in with some activities straight away. Getting creative with some Lego Duplo planes for the teddies to ride in, giant art work about favourite the young people’s favourite hobbies plus decorating the 7th Blackpool Squirrels banner with some of the things they’ve done over the past 9 months. Then it was time to head outside to play some games before coming back in and completing a blindfolded obstacle course!
Heather, assistant volunteer for Squirrels, said “for me it was seeing the kids faces light up and enjoy everything we did. They were full of excitement the whole event! This is why we do it, to create those new and exciting memories!”
Gabrielle, team leader for Squirrels at 7th Blackpool, said “this was an amazing event that our team of 9 leaders managed to put on for our young people. We couldn’t have done it without support from other volunteers within our Group and District, and of course without our young people and parents, who massively put their trust in us. It was amazing to see our Squirrels smiling the entire event (aside from when some of them got woken up in the morning and wanted to go back to bed!). We’ve even had feedback that some of our tealight campfires have been serving as night lights by the Squirrels bedside since the event!”
It’s all well and good seeing what the adults through but here’s what some of the young people said, “I liked my sleeping bag”, “I likes the Heffalump movie”, “I liked sleeping for a long time” “I liked everything”, “My favourite thing was having a nap”.
Thanks to all the volunteers and parents who helped make this event such a huge success! Why not get stuck in and join? There’s always room for one (or two) more.
Got a question about Squirrels? We’ve answered some of the most common ones below.
How do I join the waiting list?
We’re working hard to ensure we can accommodate as many new Squirrels as possible. Please comple our joining form here and let us know you’re interest in your child joining Squirrels in Blackpool.
To help us get more Squirrel Dreys open, we need volunteers like you! Why not get stuck in? It’s good for you. Find out more here.
Why is there a new section?
Research from Ofsted tells us that the young people hardest hit by the pandemic are not developing the basic skills and learning they need. Early years children have returned less confident and more anxious after lockdowns.
Squirrels offers skills for life when and where it’s needed most. This is our opportunity to help enrich the lives of young people, preparing them for a brighter future.
We’re offering this brand new programme, with wellbeing, kindness and social action at its heart.
All you need to know about Squirrels here.
Is Squirrels open in Blackpool?
Yes they are! We’ve opened our Squirrel Dreys across the town. To express interest please fill in the form here.
If you are interested in volunteering with Squirrels or any other of our sections then please get in touch.
