Introduction to 1st Walsall Beaver Scouts

In October 1982 in responce to a growing demand by young people to join the Scout Association, a new section called Beavers was started for young people aged between six and eight years old.

Provision for this age range had existed for some years in a number of countries previously. Beavers started in Northern Ireland some 15 years earlier and, later, there were similar approaches in the Republic of Ireland, Australia, Canada and New Zealand and in some European countries. Some informal projects also developed in places in Scotland and England.

Initially, Beavers were not full members of the Scout Association until April 1986, when they became a recognised training section and took the title of Beaver Scouts.