The advance party arrived at our pitch @14:30 and despite earlier rain our allocation was favourable and the weather was kind to us for setting up camp even if squelchy underfoot. More leaders and 15 young people, 6 of whom were first timers at Bisley, arrived after dark and stowed their kit before a team briefing where everyone was given a lanyard, map and an aid-memoir to help them to be in the right place at the right time for their events.
With ourselves enjoying at last year’s #InTents# at Thriftwood so much we rebooked again for this year. Having great memories of last year’s hot summer, we were over optimistic investing in an inflatable pool and new BBQs in preparation, which now seems a good future investment for the group’s events. With six leaders and 24 Scouts and Explorers fully prepared and roaring to go with our new site #4 which has an electrical hook up and adjacent to the archery field, close to the action.
After 10 months of planning and preparation the weekend finally arrived Air Camp 2023 – The Best Ever. With a total of 106 Scouts and Explorers, 22 of them representing 5th Dartford, descending to Old Hay Airfield, Paddock Wood. The weather forecast was for a heat wave, which was accurate for a change. There was unfortunate accident on the A21 causing road closures and some a 2 hour delay in their arrival time, along with many parents discovering the wonders of the app WhatThreeWords/// as opposed to post codes and car SatNavs.
Once again we booked the tented village at Thriftwood Scout Campsite and with the weather upon arrival and throuought the evening we were so glad that we did> However, the rain and the mud did not dampen what was once again a great camp with loads of activities including axe throwing, High all aboard, archery and a hike.
Celebrating our group’s birthday has always been a big event for the 5th Dartford Scout Group and this year was no exception, with a good number of young people attending the church service in the morning, which had us rolling with laughter, then tea and biscuits with the congregation before dissmissing and regrouping after lunch for a session at Ninja Warriors.
Well done to Kaden, Oscar Dilan & Fenn who all completed the expedition element of their Chief Scout Gold Award before recieving their certificates and moving on to Explorers.
After a few years off, we assembled a team of 5 Scouts and 8 Explorers who had completed the NSRA YPS target shooting course to once again compete at the National Scout Rifle Championships at NSRA Bisley. We were once again blessed with good weather and a good pitch location. Below are a few pictures from the weekend.
With COVID19 lockdown memories fading, although still evident cautious guidance by TSA, the leaders agreed to keep this year’s summer camp close and easily manageable for all concerned. Hence when one of our local campsites Thriftwood advertised it’s set week’s summer camp with all the camping, activities plus day out to an adventure park, it seemed ideal for all concerned.
After a two-year hiatus a good many of our members were able to proudly parade our colours with other groups from the district. Meeting smartly at the hall, we paraded down West Hill and through the town centre, without impaling any shop signs or pedestrians, before joining the district and taking our place by the bandstand. The weather was very kind to us and after the formalities, we joined the parade around the park, receiving the grateful applause of flag waving parents and public; something our young folk have missed out on.
This years JoTT was special in many ways: it was the 25th anniversary of the event, it was great to have District events up and running once again and be able to meet with many Scouting friends once again, what great countryside and walks we have surrounding us, as well as the wonderful weather reaching 24’C and not a cloud in the sky.
As usual an intrepid few from 5th Dartford started from Sevenoaks train station (17m), with more members joining in the procession back to Dartford central park where the District had organise an reception area to receive their event badges and socialise whilst they enjoyed their well deserved drinks and snacks.
Congratulations to all who participated, from those Explores that ran it from Otford (start point 21m) to the Beavers that joined us at Westminster fields.
Kind regards
Paul Boreham – Group Scout Leader