for 5¾ to 8 year olds, and precedes Cubs. The Beavers section currently makes up the largest proportion of participants within The Scout Association in the United Kingdom, with many colonies having waiting lists, some of which may have several times as many waiting as there are actual members. The uniform is a turquoise sweatshirt or T-shirt, with the group colours for the neckerchief. The motto, shared with the rest of the UK Scout Association sections, is "Be Prepared". Baden-Powell Scouts' Association The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association recognised Beavers in 1982, although some Groups do not operate Beaver colonies as they were not part of Baden-Powell's concept. The programme serves five to eight year olds, and is followed by Wolf Cubs. The uniform is a vest that can be many colours, with the group colours for the neckerchief. Some groups also issue Beavers with caps. United States Boy Scouts of America The Boy Scouts of America never organized a multi-year Beavers programme separate from Cubs. While the modern incarnation of Cubs in the United States contains programmes for grades K through 5, the path to this structure was evolutionary. As of 1981, the earliest program available in Cubs was the Wolf Scout programme, intended for boys eight years of age. In the fall of 1982, BSA introduced the Tiger Cubs programme for 7-year-olds, as a programme distinct from the Cubs. When BSA participation was changed to grade-based instead of age-based in 1986, Tiger Cubs became the 1st grade programme, effectively changing the eligible age of most Tiger Cubs boys to 6. Tiger Cubs were opened to Cub Packs in 1993, and Tiger Dens introduced in 1995. By 2001, Tigers (as they are now called) were fully integrated into Cubs and have their own merit badge. In 2016 a pilot programme began for Kindergarten (age 5-6) boys with a new rank, Lion. Lions became a permanent rank inside Cubs in 2018. Also in 2018, as part of the larger structural change of allowing girls into all Cub programmes, girl dens at all ranks, including Lion and Tiger, were allowed. Baden-Powell Service Association In the Baden-Powell Service Association, the corresponding section for this age group is called Otters. See also Age groups in Scouting and Guiding References External links Beaver Scouts of Canada Beaver Scouts of UK Scout Association Early childhood education Scouting