Many thanks to Dave for ensuring we have a Poppy appeal donation box and a plentiful supply of Poppies, located next to the badge box at the 5th Dartford Scouts Group hall.  Please feel free to give most generously and encourage our younger members too, so that our living veterans and their families can live with the dignity they have earned and those who have given their lives in service can be honoured and remembered.

Please don’t forget that wearing the poppy is a visible sign that a scout is respectful and fully understands what it symbolises. 

This year, Rembrance Sunday falls on Sunday 14th November and all of our scouts, without exception, are expected to attend the service and parade in full and smart uniform.

On Saturday 2nd October, the 5th Dartford Scout Group held it’s annual Race Night, which was very well attended as usual.  With a mixture of races including Horses and Pigs and a tote betting system from just 50p we managed to raise £863, which will be going towards the New Hall Fund.

During the break we feasted on a splendid sausage and chip supper and previewed the Summer Camp 2010 DVD, a copy of which you may have to keep for a donation of just £5.00. Please order your copies from your section leader.

In addition to everyone who took part and made this a most enjoyable evening, we would like to make special mention of our sponsors for the eveining and thank them greatly for their valued support:

Barclays Print – Panel Panel – 1st West Roofing – Ace Builders – HSC Candela – Barnes & Roffe – J.Coxedge

If you attended our AGM last month you will recall Leigh Pack leader John selling sealed envelopes for the world cup sweepstakes at only £10 each.  22 of the 32 secret envelopes were sold and the the one containing the eventual winners “Spain” was amongst the 10 which were unsold.  The Second place winner, Mr Paul Mills, who drew Holland has generously donated his £60 winnings back to the group, which means that the 5th Dartford Scout Group will benefit from the entire £220 prize fund.

Many thanks to Paul and a big thanks to everyone who took part in this sweep stake, which has raised valuable funds for the group.

The 5th Dartford Scout Group’s Constiution was just about ready for renewal, but other than a facelift the values are still as true and important today as when they were written and therefore remain unchanged, but  check out the new look on the ‘About Us’ page.

Today saw the 5th Dartford Scout group open its doors to family, friends and local dignitaries from the Mayoralty, Council Leaders, our newly elected MP – Gareth Johnson and members of our own Scout District leadership team.   The day kicked off at 11am with activities including 6yd rifle target shooting, Climbing, Abseiling, Ice-climbing, Archery and Arts & Crafts. There were also burgers on sale at  a very reasonable price and refreshments for all for a small donation. 

At @ 12:00 the activities were put on hold whist the official business of the day was conducted, which happily went without issue or complication.  Mr Johnson spoke briefly to us about how he wants to help with some of the issues which the group are facing including, but not limited to, the refurbishment of our driveway and lighting; and how he would like to build upon the  relationship we have held with the Mayoralty and leaders of the local Council.  I’m pleased to reiterate that all members of our executive committee were returned and will be able to continue without delay with the invaluable non scouting work they have done behind the scenes to date and for the year ahead.

After the official business concluded, the fun activities resumed until @ 14:30 with many happy, beaming  faces having shot their first archery gold, their best target score, or indeed the first time they ever rang the bell on the wall.  Council leader Cllr Jeremy Kite even dressed for the climb today by sporting denims and boots and gave a fine demonstration of how abseiling is done at the 5th. 

The 5th Dartford Scout Group warmly extend an open invitetion to Mr Johnson and to members of the Mayoralty and Council to visit us for a “have a go” session where you can leave the suits, robes and chains at home and enjoy some of the activities which make Scouting at the 5th such a valuable community resourse, which we hope you will treasure as much as we do.  

Many thanks to everyone who ran the events and refreshments for keeping us both entertained and sustained and to Kay for taking a great many pictures to document the day.

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On Saturday, the 5th Dartford Scout Group was asked to provide the pioneering activities for the Dartford District Scout Carnival in Central Park.  The 5th’s leaders, section assistants and parents helped build 6 structures for the young people in the community to tackle; the Beavers and Cubs, with the help of thier leaders and parents, dressed as Vikings and complete with a decorated Viking longboat, participated in the carnival parade.  The Earley Scout Troop was also victorious in winning the Scouts 5-a-side football competition, which put the cherry atop a great day, which I believe was enjoyed by all.

Special thanks to Maggie and the tea team who who kept us all hydrated on the events so we could focus on the young people having fun.

As always, we have some photo’s, but I can’t be everywhere at once, so please forward any other quality pictures, especially any of the Beavers and Cubs on parade to: jason@5thdartfordscouts.org.uk or on a cd in the Earley Troop mailbox at the hall.

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Friday 28th May saw @100 members and family from all sections of the 5th Dartford Scout Group descend on the Boyd Memorial Campsite in Henlow, Beds for our biannual Family Camp.  The weather was fine upon arrival and with the advance party having already pitched the marquee and set up the kitchen, the only thing for the families to do was to put up their own tents.

Saturday’s weather was changeable, with some heavy showers, but spirits were not dampened with a full programme of activities for the weekend, which included Pioneering, Archery, Climbing, Abseiling, Target Shooting, Kayaking, Raft building, Cardboard Canoe Building/Sailing, Quizzes, a Scavenger Hunt, Arts & Crafts, Kite Flying & Boarding, Trail Hunt and Wide Games.

Sunday was thankfully dry with a good breeze, which meant all the canvas dried out and allowed Ted “Cougar” Essex to treat us to a good old scouting campfire, with some new tricks thrown in too. 

As always this camp would not have been possible without the help of the leaders who put so much effort in to make it work, especially our camp leader – Tim Roscoe, but not forgetting the commitment of the parents and family of our members whoes continued support makes it all possible.

Here are some of the 400+ pictures taken and received thus far.  If you have more pictures, which we can publish, please forward them to me at jason@5thdartfordscouts.org,uk and I’ll publish the best ones.

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