For something a little different, we booked the hammock pitch at Thriftwood, with all young people and all but two leaders sleeping in hammocks. Alas some of us awoke a little soggy following heavy rain in the early hours on Saturday, but with a few adjustments and everything drying out during the day everyone was keen to do it again Saturday night. Scouts cooked their own breakfast over open fires after a starter of cereal or porridge, which is becoming increasingly more popular and our meal on Saturday evening was roast chickens and vegetables cooked in our cast iron Dutch ovens in the hot embers of the fire; everyone had their fill with no room for desert. Activities included raft building and climbing, with new Scout Estha being invested on the climbing wall.

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Once again we booked ‘The Village’ at Thriftwood for our 40 strong Easter Camp, with the newly refurbished bunk cabins, which gives us the certainty that everyone is warm and dry. The weather was thankfully kind to us and we were able to try some new activities. As always, the pizza making went down a treat.

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A letter sent by our older Scouts to our friends in Dartford twinned town Gravelines “EEDF Pêcheurs d’Islande GRAVELINES” came to fulfilment this weekend with a visit of 21 of them travelling to Dartford for Remembrance weekend.

With them departing Gravelines early Saturday morning via minibus and travelling by the channel tunnel they arrived at Dartford Scout House by lunch time, with a warm welcome and a quick turnaround they joined the 5^th Dartford Scouts and Explorers for an activity afternoon comprising of archery and target shooting along with tea and biscuits.

That evening we held a fireworks extravaganza with hot chocolate and hamburgers being served, along with the Gravelines Scouts, there were also 130 parents, friends and siblings partake in the fundraising event with monies raised going towards the new hall fund.

Sunday morning we all converged at Dartford War Memorial for the act of remembrance, with three poppy reefs being laid: Gravelines Town,  Pêcheurs d’Islande Scouts along with Dartford Districts. All of us joined the parade around town, paying our respects, with the Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Mayor and leader of the council taking the salute.

After tea and biscuits at the church hall, the English and French Scouts were combined into teams and took part in a Historical Treasure Hunt which span from St Edmunds Pleasance to West Hill, Lock-Up with questions relating from Henry’s V funeral, Henry VIII divorce settlement, to medieval leper hospital. 

With everyone back to 5^th Dartford Scouts Hall, were we shared some traditional food, with the hosts providing: Roast beef, potatoes and Yorkshire pudding accompanied by gravy, horseradish and English mustard, followed by Jam Rolly Polly and custard. With the Guest providing speciality cheese, biscuits and sweet treats, all of which was shared and enjoyed by all. The Scouts joined in with games which both groups knew until the end of the afternoon.

Monday morning the Mayor welcomed the Gravelines Scouts to the Civic Centre, showing them around the council chamber and Mayors Parlour, explaining about the role and responsibilities being the King’s representative and 1^st citizen of the town, followed by tea and biscuits. It was then time to say goodbye along with discussion about a returnvisit for English Scouts to travel to Gravelines.

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Back in June, 13 Scouts and Explorers from the 5th signed up to the National Small-Bore Rifle Association – Youth Proficiency Scheme (NSRA-YPS) course, 10 first timers and 3 retaking to improve their skill level.  Starting in July, the young people attended weekly sessions to learn everything from setting up a range, equipment, the law, safety, eye dominance, stance, & breathing to the follow through, sighting, sight adjustment and scoring; concluding with a multiple choice exam and a shooting competition.  In order to qualify for the competition a quiz of 10 randomly selected true/false statements was taken, where a minimum of seven must be answered correctly; these points are also added to the 4 scoring cards for the total score.  Each card has the potential score of 50 points with 5 shots at each, making the maximum possible score of 210, including the quize score.

There are 4 proficiency bands for the qualification:

50 to 124 – Skilled Shot

125 to 149 – Marksman

150 to 174 – Expert Shot

175+          – Master Shot

We are very pleased to say that not only did everyone pass and qualify for their award, but we had 4 achieving Master Shot, three of which had attended the course for the first time; congratulations to everyone who participated and a big thanks for all the volunteer instructors for their support and tuition.

Last year 39 particpated in the District Shooting Compeition, however this year it increased to 57. With each person partaking in the three disciplines of 6yd Air-Rifles, 6yd Air-Pistols and Fields Target shooting at least 50 shots each, totalling 3,000 pellets with over 300 targets being scored.

I would like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers: NSRA YPS instructors, scorers, tea makers, participant managers, and those who cleared and tidied afterwards on the day, making it a safe, enjoyable event for all those involved.