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Category Archives: Group News
2006-05-09 – Trail-Jam 3
All sections of 5th Dartford Scout Group: Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Adult Volunteers and Family and Friends taking part in Dartford District organised event, Trail-Jam 3 – 2026.
With a number starting at Sevenoaks Train Station, with others joining in along the route (Shoreham Church, Lullingstone, Sutton at Hone) with it being a fine May day without a cloud in the sky, and the beautiful countryside of the Darenth Valley at its best it was a great occasion meeting and catching up with old and new friends from all around the District.
We were stopped and asked a number of times what was happening as people had not seen so many young people walking in such an event, which was great to see.
With all participants being welcomed back to Dartford Central Park, with volunteers providing refreshments and registrations for the commemorative badge. In total 30 members of 5th Dartford participated along with a number of family and friends, with those starting at Sutton-At-Hone 5.4km (3.4m to those at Sevenoaks Station covering 27km (17m) and taking just over 7 hours to complete the walk, all worthy of their hikers badge.
The District involvement of Jamboree on the Trail was started over 25 years ago with Andy Gray from Sutton-At-Hone devising the route to joining in the World wide event, as started by Canadian Scouts as it officially the first weekend when the mountain trails are clear of snow & ice and they can get out and about again. With Andy retiring, the District Lead Volunteer presented Andy with a gift, thanking him for all his hard work and endeavours over the years, and passing the organisation over to Tom & Vicky for future events.
2026-04-26 – St Georg’s Parade
Easter Camp 2026 – Going Nuclear!
This year’s Easter Camp was something different… We were granted permission to camp at Kelvedon Hatch, Nuclear Wild Forest Site.
Friday evening we arrived set up camp, with hot dogs to fortify us and with it being dusk a Wide Game was in order followed by hot chocolate and cake.
Saturday morning we breakfasted on porridge and bacon sandwiches prior to a visit to the Secret Nuclear bunker, where we chanced across a film crew and actors filming for a Jurassic alien film! After the hour and half tour of the underground bunker, we headed back for a light snack.
Saturday afternoon we were warmed up and guided around the mud obstacle course, which grew in intensity and mud culminating with the Death Slide! After showering and cleaning ourselves up, free time was a plenty with different field games being played.
Saturday dinner was make your own pizza, including the dough, then cooked on the groups wood fired pizza ovens.
Sunday morning was another fine breakfast of porridge and egg sandwiches followed by a visit to the high ropes course. After the initial safety talk, two low level trails was completed prior to the two level 2 higher course, with a few daring level 3 really high course. With all finalising with the level 3 zip back to the start. Returning to camp to pack away our tents and load the van, the weekend was quickly over…
A big thank you to the leadership team for volunteering their time freely to make it all possible.
A call out to all the parents who stayed to help set up camp on Friday evening, arrived early on Sunday to strike camp as well as those helped unload the van, and put the camping eq
uipment back in our stores – Thank You.
Scout Expedition Challenge 2026
Four of the older Scouts from Burne & Earley Troop joined together to complete their Expedition Challenge award. Putting their years of experience of Scouting they completed a navigation trek, carrying their equipment to Hope Hill Camp site where they pitched their tent and cooked an evening meal, camping overnight by themselves. The next morning after a cooking breakfast, they strike camp and completed their hike rendezvousing for lunch at Stanstead village.
2026-03-23 – Platinum Awards
On Monday 23rd March, District Lead Volunteer, Neil Gearing, attended the Johnston ESU’s section evening to present 6 Chief Scout Platinum awards to Caitlin, Dilan, Kaden, George, Maisie and Leo. Platinum awards are not easily achieved and to put things in perspective, these were the first awarded in 5 years, so very well done to all of you.
2026-03-14 – Kent County Scouts – Paintball Day
On Saturday 14th March Kent Scouts organised a paint ball day at Mayhem South East, where four Earley Troop Scouts got involved and had a fantastic day, joining other Scouts from all around Kent.
2026-02-19 – Thank you from Beams
2025-12-19 – Fundraising Disco
On Friday 19th December all sections came together for a fun packed evening of party games and a disco to raise much needed funds for local childrens charity We Are Beams.
Party goers were able to buy sweets, crisps, refreshments, glow-sticks, flashing battons and other assorted items with all profits amounting to £155 going to the charity. A great evening was had by all who attended.
2025-12-12 – Miskin Theatre
On Friday 12th December, thirty members from the Earley Scout Troop and the Johnston ESU, accompanied by 4 adult volunteers, attended the Miskin Theatre’s production of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. As always it was an enjoyable night out and fantastic value and it was nice to see former members in the audience and in the cast too.
