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.
![happy-birthday[1]](http://www.5thdartfordscouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/happy-birthday1.jpg)
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.
5th Dartford Beavers Halloween Party
Thursday 27th October 2016 was the date for this years annual Halloween Party, but this year we invited all parents/carers to stay and join in the fun.
Philpott Colony visited the Bluewater Nature Trail on Saturday 15th October 2016
Thirteen Beavers from Philpott Colony met outside Pizza Express at 10am on Saturday 15th October. After being given a map and questionnaire we set off following the big green paw prints leading us to the beginning of the Nature Trail. At various points around the lakes were sign posts of Sidney
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
