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.

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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

1. Alice – 5:32
2. Craig – 5:35
3. David – 5:45

Cardboard Canoe Race

• Decoration – Sea Monster
• Design – Bloski
• Sea Trial/Endurance – Russford captained by Lilly

Paul Boreham, Group Scout Leader

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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.