If you see me out and about in Peterborough you may notice that I am called Hazelnut by young children. You’ll be relieved to hear that isn’t a new nickname I have given myself. I’m also not being bullied by those shouting Hazelnut at me. Instead, I am on the leadership team of Squirrel Scouts in Hampton, along with Acorn and Conker. So now you know why I am also known as Hazelnut. But, you may be wondering what the Squirrel Scouts are?
The Squirrel Scouts are a group of 4-6 year old boys and girls. It’s the first scouting group before Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. We have over 20 squirrel scouts that attend each week for lots of fun activities. I joined in October 2022. Since then we have celebrated Chinese New Year by tasting Chinese food and making Chinese dragon masks. We have made melted snowman biscuits, kilts, squirrel puppets and more. Some of these children have not yet started at school, and others have been at school for a little while. For many, this is their first time in a group like this without their parents.
I decided to join the squirrel scouts as Hazelnut when I saw an advert on the local Hampton Community Facebook Page. They were asking for volunteer leaders so they could grow their squirrel group. As the first squirrel scouts in Peterborough it was something new, exciting and very popular. I went along in October and fell in love. The group was brilliant. Conker and Acorn were really welcoming and the squirrels were amazing too.
As you will have seen in my previous blog posts, I am always keen to do my bit in the local community and make a difference. In my role as Hazelnut I definitely feel that I am able to make a difference in young people’s lives. I have already seen the positive impact the group makes on some of the squirrels in such a short time. Already, I am excited for the future of Squirrel Scouts in Hampton and how Hazelnut will be part of it.
What do you do in your local community? They’re looking for volunteers throughout the levels of scouting in Peterborough. Maybe the scouting group could be a great volunteering opportunity for you? Let me know if you’d like more details.
