Tonight 4 members of the 5th Dartford Scout Group, Sean, Christopher, James and Tom, made the final transition from cubs to scouts as they left the Leigh Cub Pack and were invested in to the Earley Scout Troop. The ceremony was performed by GSL Paul and assisted by Dan, who will himself be moving on to explorers after Easter camp.
Today saw members from all sections of the 5th Dartford Scout Group enter in to the annual Dartford district cross country run. Thanks to everyone who made the effort to turn up on a wet and windy day and a very well done to everyone who ran. The group scores are now in and attached below, but as far as the 5th Dartford scout’s group are concerned, this is how we did:
6-7 1st place group 5th Philpott Beaver Colony
7-8 3rd place group 5th Philpott Beaver Colony
8-9 1st place group 5th Collins Cub Pack
9-10 2nd place group 5th Collins Cub Pack
10-10 ½ 2nd place individual 5th Leigh Cub Pack
10 ½–12 1st place group 5th Burne Scout Troop
12-14 3rd place group 5th Earley Scout Troop
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Today 13 members of the 5th Dartford Scout Groups’ Earley Troop, 4 leaders and family members visited Biggin Hill airport on a trip arranged by Keith Furlong. We were shown around some of the airport including private planes, simulators and historic WWII buildings and bunkers by Air Scout leader Alan Piper and his knowledgeable colleagues. Alas the day did not have enough hours to see and do everything we would have liked, so all being well another visit can be arranged in the not too distant future.
Today the Falcon Patrol from the 5th Dartford Scout Group’s Earley Troop went bowling at the AMF Centre in Gravesend. The trip was arranged as a reward for winning the last Patrol Challenge, where points were gained for attendance, presentation, scouting challenges and games. Alas 2 members were unable to attend, but everyone there had a great time and I’m sure the Falcons will try just as hard in the current challenge to claim another reward, but the competition is hotting up already. Jack (top centre) pipped George (below centre) to win the match by just 1 pin. Well done chaps.
Tonight not one, but two senior cubs from the Leigh Pack – 5th Dartford Scout Group, James O’Brien and Tom Hannah, met with the mayor, scouting dignataries and 31 other cubs from the district to receive their Chief Scout Silver award certificates. There were many happy faces and proud parents there, but I suspect some of them could have been because of the complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits………… 
Both the Philpot & Peacock Beaver colonies joined in the District ‘Fun with Food’ day at Fleetdown Community Centre on Saturday 6th Feb.
Bases included Chocolate Fountain, Mini Pancakes, Cheesy Crackers, Iced Biscuits, Mini Sandwiches, Peppermint Creams, Choc. Mug Cakes & Edible Necklaces.
They also watched a demonstration of bread making, and were given boxes to take home all their goodies, which hadn’t already been consumed – a lot went home empty.
This evening Kyle was invested into the the Earley troop by GSL Paul and Hawks patrol Leader Daniel. Kyle has now taken his next step on his scouting journey having moved up from the Leigh pack and is wished well and welcomed by all at the Earley troop.
Tonight two Leigh pack Sixers, James and Tom, were awarded the Chief Scout Silver Award by ADCSC Mick Scriven. Both boys have worked very hard with their badgework and challenges whilst they’ve been Leigh pack cubs – so much so that Mick joked that they’d need an extra arm were they to receive any more badges. Both boys are now looking forward to linking with the Earley scout troop for the next part of their scouting journey. Well done to you both.
As you may remember from Tales of our Birthday Parade, The Leigh Pack sponsored and decorated a Christmas Tree at the Spital Street Methodist Church to raise money for The Ellenor Hospice charity, who assisted with the care of Dick. The boys efforts raised £42.98 in donations -Well done lads, every penny counts. A further collection was made at Christchurch on 16th December, during the Cubs and Beavers District Carol Concert, where we raised a further £125.92, which has brought our total thus far to £162.98.
Tonight with the grateful help of Gary Missions, each of the Earley Troop patrols constructed and rode a hovercraft powered by an electric leaf blower.
This activity was the brainchild of Keith Furlong and was quite possibly one of the most successful evenings for some time, with everyone having a great time, despite the dust clouds.
This activity was made possible with the loan of the leaf blowers and scrounging of other supplies like Ply-board, staples, DPC sheeting and gaffer tape and the cost to the group was amazingly less than £12. In order to run this activity again, perhaps at short notice, it would be great to have a leaf blower or two in the stores, so if you once bought one on a whim and it just sits in the shed, still in its box – why not donate it to the 5th Dartford Scout Group, where we will make use of it.
If you can help, please email me at Jason@5thdartfordscouts.org.uk
Even us leaders had a go – weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee………….