Philpott Colony learn about Cats
Louisa Beyer from Cats Protection visited Philpott Colony on Thursday 7th July 2016 and gave the Beavers a very interesting talk about looking after cats and their behaviour. The talk involved big pictures and interaction with the boys. Some very unusual questions were put forward by the boys at the end including “Do cats and dogs have DNA like humans do”
PHILPOTT BEAVERS GO INTO THE WOODS AT JOYDENS WOOD SATURDAY 25TH JUNE 2016
A colony of 13 Beavers were found entering the woods at Joydens Wood on Saturday afternoon. After a short walk deep into the woods they stopped to search for mini-beasts and build a dam across the water filled bomb crater whilst slipping and sliding in the mud and listening to rumbles of thunder above. After studying their mini-beasts through magnifying glasses they were returned to their natural habitat and the Beavers moved on.
On Friday 17th June 2016 Edwards Beavers went on their first sleepover at Scout House.
We arrived at 6pm and set up our beds, we were then ready to start tackling activities to help us gain our Outdoor Challenge Badge.
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
19th International Jamboree On The Trail Saturday 14th May 2016
For the 16th year running walkers from 5th Dartford Scout Group joined the rest of the District walking along the Darent River Valley path from Sevenoaks to Dartford with members of the Group and their families joining in at various points along the way, including Otford, Eynsford, Farningham, Horton Kirby and a large Group of 24 from Sutton-at-Hone. Ages of participants ranged from 2 years – 72 years plus a dog or two.
The weather was kind, not to hot but dry throughout and every participant finished at Central Park Dartford by 4pm to be greeted with much needed refreshments and a badge for all who walked.
Well Done and Thank You to all participants. See you again next year!
Auntie Beaver
Well done to all the leaders and young folk who made the effort to represent us at this year’s st George’s Day parade; as always you did us very proud.
Philpott Beavers celebrate H.M.Queen Elizabeth’s 90th Birthday
A party was held to celebrate The Queens 90th birthday. All beavers were told they could invite one parent and younger siblings to join in the fun and games and everyone must wear red, white and blue in some form.
The bunting put up, the tables laid street party style and the balloons inflated and then we waited to see how many would turn up.
What a magnificent turn out! All 24 Beavers arrived along with 3 Dads, 9 Mums, 2 Grandma’s and 7 Siblings.
Mixed age musical chairs, team game race to fill canes with ‘Walter Woggles’, pass the peas from one plate to another by sucking up a straw and finally musical bumps for all the children.
Halfway through everyone went outside and despite a chilly wind got tucked into red, White and Blue decorated cakes & chocolate biscuits all washed down with appropriately coloured fizzy pop. We even sung ‘Happy Birthday’ to her majesty.
A very big Thank You to all the adults who turned up and joined in the fun.
What good sports you all were!!
![happy-birthday[1]](http://www.5thdartfordscouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/happy-birthday11-300x284.jpg)
Thursday 14 April 2016 was a double celebration day for leaders of the Philpott Beaver Colony.
Congratulations to Big Beaver who celebrated her 60th Birthday and Kind Beaver who celebrated her 18th Birthday.
We all tucked into a large lump of cake with our drinks after making then blow out their candles whilst we sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to them.
Then they helped all the Beavers make their decorated crowns ready for the Queen’s 90th birthday party the following week.
D
ARTFORD DISTRICT BEAVERS FUN WITH FOOD DAY
Saturday 5th March 2016 -venue Scout Hall and Scout House Broomhill Road
Twelve Philpott Beavers joined forty other Beavers from around Dartford District for a Fun with Food Day.
The bases included Marzipan Fruits, Mug cakes in a microwave, Pizzas on a barbecue, Iced Biscuits, mini Mississippi Mud Pies and Discovering Fish by touch, taste and smell. In the break, whilst enjoying a much needed drink, the beavers were tested on their food and safety hygiene rules.
After 3hrs of fun they all went home full to the brim and having attained their Cooks Badge.
Kind Regards
Wendy
To all my friends and colleagues thank you for taking time to read this.
I have decided to run the London marathon on behalf of two charities; 5th Dartford Scouts’ ‘New Hall Fund’ and the Multiple Sclerosis society, as they are both very close to my heart with a Scout hall slowly breaking in half and with my wife Fliss being diagnosed with MS in 2013.
I know money is tight for everybody at the moment, but if you could dig deep just for a few pounds, even just to watch a fat boy try and run 26.2 miles. My donation page is Virgin Money Giving: DaveMonteith1
Yours David Monteith