Group festive fundraiser

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Jason

On Friday 20^th December, 5^th Dartford Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers came together to enjoy a Christmas get together as well as to raise some monies to those less fortunate than themselves, with Beams being chosen as a local children’s support charity.

The leaders arranged a few party games to start with, such as pin the red nose on Rudolf, cup snatch etc with the sale of burgers being along with the sale of canned drinks, popcorn and flashing disco lights with music finishing of the evening.

A total of £120 profit was made and presented to Beams…

Jamboree on the Trail / TrailJam 2024

Posted on May 20, 2024 by Jason

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.

2023-12-03 – Birthday Parade

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Jason

This year we celebrated our 107th anniversary with our Birthday Parade on Sunday 3rd December. We converged at the hall at 10am where we formed up, and sorted out our colours to be presented, parading with our flags from the hall to the URC Church in Spitall Street, were we where warmly welcomed by the congregation.

The service given by John was fun and informative as well as celebrating the first week of advent, with a lesson given by John donning a Professor hat and teaching the Beavers and Cubs how to build lego towers on firm foundations with the power of pray. Leo and Alex providing the readings, with the Explorers collecting the offering and the prayers. Paul the Group Volunteer Lead said a few words , thanking the church congregation for their warm welcome, the leaders for their time and effort, the youth members for their energy and enthusiasm, recognising the ones who had achieved their Chief Scout Award over the past year as well as Keith for his leadership service of the past 20 years with a ’Thanks’ badge. John kindly gave a free gift of a prayer stone as a reminder to all at the end of the service, along with a biscuit and a drink, then we had to say good bye and return to our hall to be dismissed in order to get lunch and changed.

The afternoon activity was at Gravity, Bluewater were all participants was provided with jump socks and juice to keep them going for all the ups and downs of the trampoline park. After the limbs were weary, face flushed and fun had by everyone it was time to go home reflecting on the past year of Scouting and planning for the next.

2021-12-05 – 105th Birthday

Posted on December 7, 2021 by Jason

Meeting at the hall at 10:00, 42 of our Young People and leaders paraded our colours to the Spital Street Methodist Church to attend our Group’s 105th Birthday Service. Five of our young folk did readings and others assisted with the offertory. Group Scout Leader, Paul, presented some leadership awards and spoke of the troubled couple of years we’d had and thanked everyone for their efforts in keeping Scouting going. After enjoying some refreshments and biscuits with members of the church we returned to the hall and dismissed for lunch. The celebrations continued in the afternoon at Gravity, Bluewater, where we enjoyed a session of trampolining.

2018-10-25 – Beaver Halloween

Posted on October 30, 2018 by Jason

Thursday 25th October 2018 was the date for this years joint Halloween party with Philpott Beavers and Peacock Beavers together.

Also invited were their parents and siblings which resulted in 40 people altogether joining in the usual Halloween games of Getting the doughnut off the string with teeth only, no hands allowed. Halloween picture matching for the younger ones. The Halloween story game for everyone in the hall and the traditional Apple Bobbing finishing with a game of musical bumps for children only. Continue reading →

2018-09-30 – Philpotts @ Oakfield

Posted on October 30, 2018 by Jason

Saturday 30th September 2018 Philpott Beavers descended on Oakfield Park in the sunshine.

Firstly following a map to the Nature Trail where they searched for Cob nuts, Fir cones, Acorns, Conkers, Rose Hips, Blackberries and Fungi. Then they all had a go on the Fitness trail. Next was a walk around the allotments to see what vegetables were growing. All the while keeping a look-out for this years craze of painted stones of which we spotted at least eight different ones.

A short Pit Stop for drinks and biscuits and a play in the Play Area.

We then went for a walk through the Church graveyard and the Beavers saw the gravestone of Paul and Emma the young Adults whose lives were taken along with those of our Ian ‘Eggy’ Edwards almost 20 years ago in an Avalanche in Scotland.

This was followed by a quick game of football whilst waiting for their parents.

Result 14 very tired but happy Beavers who got home 30 minutes before the heavens opened luckily.

Auntie Beaver

2018-05-12 – JoTT 2018

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Jason

Saturday 12th May 2018 was the date for the annual Jamboree On The Trail. This is an International event held for the last 21 years and the eighteenth year in a row that Dartford District including 5th Dartford Scout group have taken part.

After a spell of very good weather the week before, the morning turned out to be decidedly cool and a little damp but this didn’t deter our Group turning out in force. Some Leaders

and Explorers starting from Sevenoaks at 9.30am and walking the 17 miles along the Darent River path picking up Scouts, Cubs, Beavers and their families en route and finishing at Dartford park at around 4pm.

Here we were all greeted by District Leaders young and old and given snacks and hot drinks and the much coveted J.O.T.T. Badge.

Well done everyone who participated however far they walked and we look forward to seeing you all again next year.

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2018-03-25 – DMC Craft Fare

Posted on March 11, 2018 by Jason

On Sunday 25th March, we are helping promote Scouting at the Dartford Masonic Centre for their Craft Fare. Always lots on offer so please come along.

2018-02-15 – Philpott Pancakes

Posted on February 25, 2018 by Jason

Pancake fun for Philpott Beavers

For those Beavers that didn’t go away during half-term Philpott Beavers enjoyed a ‘Fun with Pancakes evening’ on Thursday 15th February 2018.

The Beavers worked in small groups making the pancake mixture using eggs, flour and milk. Then cooked one each with the aid of a Leader. On completion they were decorated to look like a smiling face using strawberries, banana’s, syrup, hundreds & thousands and squirty cream. The biggest smile though was on their own faces when told they could then eat them.

Next came the Pancake race (using ones made earlier by Auntie Beaver). Then a competition to see who could toss a pancake through the basketball hoop. Having found this too high for them to reach, we set the target lower Bearded Beavers head.

The evening was finished with a 10 minute food fight which seemed to be the highlight of the night.

All good fun

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2017-09-30 – Joydens Wood

Posted on October 4, 2017 by Jason

Joydens Wood Revisited by Philpott Beavers

On Saturday 30th September 2017 Philpott Beavers paid a return visit to the woods at Joydens Wood for an afternoon of fun after a fifteen month break. The intention being to see the woods in the Autumn months as opposed to the summer months.

We all had two and a half hours of fun, mini beast hunting, climbing trees, bark rubbing and finding chestnuts, acorns and fungi. The large empty bomb crater was ideal for running down one side and then back up the other. When the Beavers tired of this they collected logs of dead wood to make a ‘Beaver Lodge’ in the hole.

Half way round the circular walk through the woods we stopped for drinks and cakes and the inevitable kick about with a football.

Luckily for us the weather was kind which helped make the day most enjoyable.

The only downside to the day was the absence this time of the carved statues that had delighted us all on our last visit. All except the aeroplane had completely gone which was a real shame.

Auntie Beaver