A NEW scout group in Swindon is celebrating after several members achieved the highest possible award.

14 Squirrels from the 21st Swindon Squirrel Scouts received their Chief Scout Acorn Award recently.

A spokesperson for the group said: “The drey was only launched in November 2022 and so for the Squirrels to achieve these awards in such a short amount of time is fantastic!”

To achieve the Acorn award a range of tasks had to be completed across 4 challenge badges as well as at least four activity badges of their choice.

This included scout activities including hiking, campfire building, learning about the wider scout family and a personal challenge.

Squirrel leader Rob Morris said: “It has been a pleasure to see this group of young people work so hard towards earning their Acorn award. They’ve helped the younger Squirrels in the drey aspire towards earning theirs.”

The group were presented with the badges by the district commissioner for the Scouts, Geoff Begg, with a special appearance from mascot Mr Squirrel.