Family Camp 2017 – A Centenary of Scouting
This year family camp we celebrated our centenary of scouting at Hope Hill Campsite, Meopham. Over the bank holiday weekend we had 108 campers, plus a number of visitors through out the weekend including Wendy the second time at camp the last time being 1992, as well as the County Commissioner Dean Harding and Youth Commissioners visiting Kent Scouts taking part in the Big Night Out celebrations (https://www.kentscouts.org.uk/1181). Continue reading
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mboree on the Trail Saturday 13-05-2017
5th Dartford were out in force again this year for the 20th Jamboree on the Trail. Leaders and Explorers started at Sevenoaks to walk the Darent River Valley path all the way to Dartford Park.
En route at Otford, Shoreham, Lullingstone, Farningham, Westminster Field and Sutton-at-Hone some 60+ Scouts, Cubs, Beavers and their families joined in along with other walkers from the whole Dartford District. Continue reading
Friday 14 April saw 1 linking Cub, 13 Scouts, 17 Explorers and 11 leaders journey to Thriftwood Scout Campsite for our annual Easter Camp. We were blessed with great weather for both pitch and strike and aside from a little rain on Friday night, remained dry throughout. Continue reading
Thank you to all our members for their innovated designs and drawings of our New Hall which they created as an activity during their sections meetings over the past month. These have been packaged together along with an artist impression provided by Chris from Explorers and submitted to Gilwell for judging.
George has taken on the sale of our very special 2017 commemorative centenary calendars at just £5.00 each….. Each section is represented on a different month, with both current and historical photos and key dates for parades, camps and other events pre-printed. All funds raised come directly to the group.
Please contact your section leader to place your order.
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This weekend the 5th Dartford Scout Group celebrated its Centenary – 100 years of continuous Scouting, where not even war could stop us….
Many thanks to Lyn Medcalf for arranging and coordinating the celebratory dinner at Hesketh Park pavilion, which was attended by Gareth Johnston MP & the Deputy Mayor of Dartford, leaders past and present, supporters and former Scouts from throughout our history. It was a really good evening and a great opportunity to share memories and stories. We enjoyed a fabulous Hog-Roast supper and a great live band.
As in 5th Dartford Scouts usual tradition, those who could participated in Dartford Town remembrance service held on Sunday 13th November with 46 Cubs, Scouts and Explorers and 12 Leaders showing their respect at the war memorial, then parading with the armed services and other civil associations saluting Viscount De L’Isle MBE, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Kent, The Worshipful Mayor of Dartford John Burrell and MP Gareth Johnson.
This year 5th Dartford Explorers and Scouts from the their three troops (Earley, Burne & Medcalf) camped as a group at Broadstone Warren going back to basics, focusing on bushcraft and scouting skills.
On the last weekend of May, 5th Dartford Scouts held the annual family camp at Thriftwood Camp site near Brentwood with 130 people attending. Tim the camp leader organised a great programme of activities and events so that all the family could join in together having fun.
The activities on Saturday were Climbing, Abseiling, Cresta Run, Water Zorbing, Archery, Fire-lighting, Slack Lines, mini-crossbows, tent pitching, survival brackets plus rocket launching, in the evening a quiz night for the adults and a wide game for those who wanted to. Whist on Sunday morning there was the camp base activities, tomahawk throwing plus a frenzy of activity involving cardboard and parcel tape with families creating there vessels to enter the Cardboard canoe race. In the afternoon we assembled four teams to building our own rafts, sailing them around the lake without too many pirate skirmishes with the water activities finalising with the Cardboard Canoe race with 13 creations taking part, to much amusement and acts of seamanship, a number of crafts making multiple laps. The day ended as good day at camp should, with a roaring camp fire with everyone joining in the celebration, sketches and song.
Did I mention the fishing? I think we may have a few more enthusiastic anglers!
I believe the weekend was so successful because so many people volunteered, got involved as part of the team, participating in planning, making bookings, communicating, shopping, cooking, chopping logs, cleaning the kitchen/toilets, completing training, renewing activity permits, transporting equipment, setting-up and clearing-down. I would personally like to thanks all the attendees for joining in and making the weekend a fantastic family camp, appreciating the time and effort people took planning and providing the activities. A special mention for the kitchen team who provided bacon rolls for breakfast, Spaghetti Bolognese on Saturday and the BBQ on the Sunday.
NB: Next year is the 5th Dartford Scouts centenary with us looking to hold a special family camp where we look to involve as many members and their families as possible.
Competition Winners:
Whodunit
Lots of correct answers. So drawn from the hat the winning joint family entry was the Foster & Gubby Families.
Scavenger Hunt
Again a few families with an item for each letter. However, the winning family won with one of the funniest lists I have ever seen, including (V) very smelly sock; Well done the Hickmott Family.
Scrambled Picture
Lots of entries, but one entry did very well scoring 29 out of 33. Well done to the joint family entry from the Grigg/Crockford Families.
Tent Pitching
Cardboard Canoe Race
Paul Boreham, Group Scout Leader
