Remembrance Weekend 2024

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 5th 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 5th 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 1st 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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Letter to International Scouts

Dear Fellow Scouts, 

Greetings from Dartford, Kent in England! We hope this letter finds you well. Our names are Oliver, Olivia, Alex and Evie and we are Scouts at 5th Dartford. As part of our exciting journey towards achieving the World Scout Award badge, we’ve been tasked with reaching out to scouts

like you from around the globe, and are excited to connect with you. Our scout group was created in 1916 by Scoutmaster A B “Skipper” Leigh. Back then 5th Dartford wore salmon pink neckerchiefs, but we now wear red scarfs. We are members of the

Early Scout troop (named after Titch Early, who was a leader in the 1940s). Early troop meets on Friday evenings. Typically, we learn survival and outdoor skills. As its England (where it can rain sometimes!) we usually meet indoors and take part in sporting games including Bench ball (a ball game where the first team who gets all its members to stand on a bench wins!), Football (soccer) and Poison Ivy (bit like individual tug-of-war). We also do archery, air rifle shooting and climbing. As a group, we take part in lots of camping – here are some photos from an Air Camp from last year, where we got to fly in a microlight aircraft –

http://www.5thdartfordscouts.org.uk/index.php/nggallery/album/airtcamp2023?page_id=11821).

One of the things we enjoy most about Scouts is our close friendships. It would be great to learn a bit about your scout group. How many scouts are in your group, and what skills and games do you enjoy doing? Are you doing any camps over the summer? We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours in scouting,

Oliver, Olivia, Alex and Evie

5th Dartford Scouts AGM – Saturday 5th October

Saturday 5th October afternoon started with the final completion of this year’s National Small-bore Rifle Association (NSRA) – Youth Proficiency Scheme (YPS) with 13 of youth members from Burne, Earley and Johnston sections taking their final exam and partaking in the competition, resulting in 4 achieving ‘Master Shot’, 4 “Expert Shot’, 3 Marksman and 2 ‘Skilled Shot’. A really impressive achievement for all with 4 achieving the top award, with the highest score being 188 when the maximum possible is 210.

The AGM was organised to the new Scout Association guidance, which follows the best practice as recommended by the Charity Commission with what was previously known as the Executive now as the groups Trustee Board. NB: Minutes of the meeting available from the document download

The Chair of the Trust Board,  Russ, guided the meeting through the new format, appointing the Trust members.

The Treasurer, Karen provided insight to our finances, explaining about the recent spend in preparation of the new hall, increased expenses and capitation costs with the consequences of increased charges to members, however as a group we look to ensure Scouting is for all and we look to assist wherever we can.

The Group Lead Volunteer, Paul provided an insight to the Scouting year, thanking the volunteer leadership that makes it possible as well as the Trustees who make it all possible. Paul presented both Russ and Karen a token gift of vintage silver Scouting ‘Thank You’ badge with Scouts presenting flowers noting both of their service to the Group and Scouting for more than a decade each. Paul also acknowledged Bev who was not able to be present as she has decided to step down for being the groups auditor after 25 years, before that she was the groups treasurer for further 25 years. Over 50 years of volunteering supporting Scouting.

The newly appointed District Lead Volunteer, Neil Gearing presented the Chief Scout Gold awards to Tristain, Leo, Olivia, Evie, Ollie and Alex.

The leader of the Council, Jeremy Kite addressed the AGM on the benefit of Scouting along with the long term support the council has provided and looking to support into the future via the Salute to Youth scheme.

The Mayor of Dartford, Andy Lloyd expressed his thanks to the Scouting Volunteers and his memories of when he was Scout gaining his Chief Scout Award and his support for the movement.

The AGM was official closed, however Keith and Julie were running the tea and cake stall with the instructors providing parents and siblings an opportunity to try out air-rifle and pistol shooting for themselves.

NSRA YPS Qualification Oct 2024

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.

Dartford District Shooting Competition 2024 – Saturday 14th September

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.

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Kent Scouts Survival Camp 17-19May2024

12 Scouts from Earley Troop attended the Kent Scouts Survival Camp at Ross Wood Camp site, with a total of 48 Scouts taking part.

On the Friday they pitched their tents and made friends with all the other attendees, and then was introduced to the Kent County leadership team, who put them in their patrols for the weekend and then taken on an orientation tour of the wooded camp site. Hot chocolate and cake was provided during the briefing of what was to be expected over the weekend.

Saturday pitches were chosen by each patrol to set up camp, erect shelters and light fires. Knives skills where practice with making tent pegs and digging sticks, which were used to pitch the shelters. Then with steel and flints provided for the ignition system for fire all the tinder and kindling was collected by the Scouts with feather/fire stick coming in to their own to start their cooking fires. Once sufficient fire wood was collected supplies were provided of chicken, vegetables, along with fruit, biscuits and chocolate buttons as a desert. After a hearty meal, a game of Manhunt was in order until dusk, where all retreated to their shelters for the night.

Sunday fires were rekindled and breakfast cooked, and then for tutorials on First-Aid, Water Purification, Signalling and Hygiene prior to clearing away, ensuring that all that remained was foot print, and good memories.

The Scout Survival Badge was presented, along with an emergency whistle and para-cord bracelet already for knotting.

A celebration of a life – John White

Our thoughts and prayers with Marion and her family. A number of current and previous 5th Dartford Scouters celebrated the life of John White, who passed away after a short illness at the age of 86, at Thanet Crematorium and then with a reception at the Spitfire and Hurricane Museum, Manston. John and Marion retired to Palm Bay 22 years ago, but remained active volunteers with the Thanet Scouting Fellowship helping run District events, as well as part of the service crew at Marshside Camp Site as well as Spitfire and Hurricane Museum several days each week. Many 5th Dartford veterans will remember John from his 28 years of Scouting service with 5th Dartford & Dartford District totalling 50 years of Scouting. John was a good friend too many with kind, warm and supportive approach a true gentleman with a great sense of humour. 

Many good memories was shared between friends with recollections of of historic camps, activities and friendship along with John’s antics and sense of humour with one of my favourite being his fancy dress version of ‘Captain Carrot’. Farewell fellow Scouter, we shall truly miss you.

5th Dartford Scouters and Veterans: – Ted, Hillary & Sarah Essex, Jim & Maggie Lilleycrop, Rick & Sue Evans, Del & Wendy as well as Lynda  who started Collins Cub Pack in 1975 as well as the Brownsea Island Fellowship with John.

Jamboree on the Trail / TrailJam 2024

Saturday 11th May 2024 – Was the inaugural ’TrailJam’ event by new organisers after 25 years (1998 – 2023) of ‘Jamboree on the Trail’ as participated by numerous other Scouts all around the world https://www.facebook.com/Trailjamday/.

With the great weather, good company the Darent Valley Path which is one of Kent’s greatest hidden treasures of fine walking suitable for all the family was undertaken. With six Adult Volunteers, one Scout and one Explorers starting at Sevenoaks train station starting at 9:30 the procession begun, collecting other members alone the waypoints, finishing at Dartford Central Park at 4pm, 18 miles later.

By the end we had 14 adults, 1 Explorer, 5 Scouts, 8 Cubs and 10 Beavers from the 5th Dartford Scout Group.

Congratulations to all those who took part, with a special commendation to both Leo and Neil walking the whole route.