2011-04-22 – Easter Camp 2011

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Jason

33 Members from the 5th Dartford Scout group’s Earley Scout Troop, Burne Scout Troop and Johnston Explorers made the gruelling cycle ride to The Shaw’s campsite at last weekend for our annual Easter Camp. Friday’s weather could not have been better as we cycled in glorious sunshine although the heat did make the hill climbs a little tougher than last years overcast conditions. Dave organised a great programme with backwoods cooking for the scouts for their first evening meal, including the sourcing of the materials and fire-lighting.

Saturday saw the young folk taking part in orienteering, saw and axe, safe use of knives, fire-lighting, plucking chickens and preparing vegetables for Saturday’s evening meal and as a total surprise and delight to most, Collins-Pack leader Michelle Watts arrived with ice lollies for all and 5 cubs eager to see what the next level of scouting was all about. The cubs took part in the gathering of fire supplies and made dough “Twists” with raisins and chocolate chips, which they toasted over the fire, followed by marshmallows cooked the same way. Upon departure, all of the visiting cubs said they were looking forward to moving up to scouts and we look forward to making that transition a reality when they’re old enough.

Alas the weather on Saturday, which until @ 15:00 was perfect, but fast changed (after the cubs left) in to a sustained deluge for over an hour with a lightening storm who’s epicentre was our campsite and a hailstorm with hailstones the size of large peas; and whilst this dampened our plans (and the fire we spent hours stocking) to cook all the chickens and rabbits in the embers, we had the trusty field kitchen and oven with which the fresh animals were transformed into a culinary delight, which was enjoyed by everyone.

On Sunday the weather was again perfect and after a morning of games and activities, including an Easter egg hunt we broke camp, loaded the van and set off for the cycle home, which due to the hills being predominantly in our favor, was some 2hrs shorter than the outbound journey.

On behalf of everyone at camp, a big thanks to camp leader Dave for his organisation and to all the leaders who gave their time and expertise.

Below are a few pictures from the weekend, but if you have more…………. please send to media@5thdartfordscouts.org.uk

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We Collect TESCO Vouchers too!

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Jason

We’ve now registered the 5th Dartford Scout Group for the TESCO vouchers scheme which is similar to Active Kids run by Sainsbury’s, but the difference being there’s more craft type items in the TESCO catalogue, which would be very useful to the younger sections. So could you please let your parents know we’re now collecting both when you return after the Easter break.

There will be a collecting box down the hall next to the Sainsburys one but it really doesn’t matter if they get mixed up as I will empty them each week and count them as we go along.

Many Thanks
Wendy

Teenage Cancer Trust – Leigh Pack Fundraising

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Jason

Over Christmas, the 5^th Dartford Scout Group’s Leigh Pack Cubs decorated a tree for the Dartford Christmas Tree Festival.

The Cubs made and decorated decorations out of recycled materials to raise some money for a local charity.

John (Akala) asked the boys if they had any charities that they would like to raise money for, and one of the boys suggested The Teenage Cancer trust, which has recently started a South East Branch.

I contacted the Teenage Cancer Trust and made them aware that we would be raising money for their very well needed trust. They were very helpful with our appeal and sent us banners, stickers, balloons and a collection box, which along with the Cubs decorations this made a excellent display for our tree.

This is a wonderful occasion, where the children get the opportunity to really show their creative side and enjoy a fun evening of design.

In the picture below, I’m sure you will agree that our tree really did have great effort spent on it.

When the festival was over, the collection pots where counted by the festival organisers and we received a cheque to send off to The Teenage Cancer Trust for £65.94 which is a fantastic amount of money raised for such a fantastic appeal.

Thank you for everyone who donated to this fund, I’m sure this money will go a long way to helping young people in our community with life threatening illnesses.

If you would like to find out more information about The Teenage Cancer Trust please click on the link below.

http://www.teenagecancertrust.org/get-involved/as-a-fundraiser/unit-appeals/south-east/

2011-04-01 – Leigh Pack Cub of the month

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Jason

Tonight the 5th Dartford Scout Group’s Leigh Cub Pack made Harry Steele its Cub of the Month based on his efforts throughout March, including his award for his efforts at the district Cross Country race, which finalised his work towards his fitness badge, which has now been presented. Harry has a clear aptitude for sport and perhaps follows in his mum Rebecca’s footsteps who is running in the London Marathon on 17th April this year in support of Arthritis Care. You can follow Rebecca’s training and sponsor her at www.everydayhero.co.uk/rebecca_steele

Well done to Harry and the very best of luck to Rebecca.

2011-04-03 – St George’s Parade

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Jason

As well as the weather being kind to us, this year’s St George’s day parade was a fantastic day to show how large and successful scouting is in Dartford. As a group, the 5^th Dartford Scout Group paraded all nine sections, with it being the first time that the two new sections (Phillips Cubs & Edward’s Beavers) have paraded with us. Despite it being Mother’s Day we had a good turnout, 109 members parading out of our total membership of 196. Thank you to all who attended and in such full smart uniform.

A few special mentions goes to the Edward’s Beavers who made their own flag once we realised that the newly ordered flag would not be delivered in time, as well to Connor of the Earley Troop who stood up and accepted the challenge of performing the main reading at short notice.

Scout Association recognition: Assistant Group Scout Leader Lyn Medaclf was presented with the Scout Association ‘Medal of Merit’ which is awarded for outstanding service with keen, conscientious, imaginative and dedicated service over a sustained period. Lyn has been at the centre of the Group for more years than I can remember; actively leading cub packs and instrumental in fundraising tens of thousands of pounds for our climbing wall and up keep of our headquarters. Our congratulation and best wishes goes to our previous scout leader of Earley Troop, John White (aka Captain Carrot) who is still an active support member in the Thanet area who has been awarded the Silver Acorn and will receive at Windsor at the national scouting St George’s celebration. The Silver Acorn is awarded to individuals who has provided more than 20 years service, which is recognised as especially distinguished and appreciably better than outstanding.

It is only a few occasions in the year that all nine sections meet together with them meeting on different evenings: Monday being Johnston Explorers, Wednesday Edward’s Colony & Phillips Pack, Thursday Philpott Colony, Collins Pack and Burne Troop, Friday Peacock Colony, Leigh Pack and Earley Troop. So it was a great opportunity to have a group photo for our current fundraising activities for 777. We will ensure to send a copy to Malcolm and Alex sending our best wishes for their preparation on their endeavour which we will be invited to get involved with in the very near future.

Please pencil in your diaries the next few group activities: Family Camp 27-30 June, District Carnival 11th June & our AGM/Open day 19th June.

Paul

GSL 5th Dartford Scouts

Editors Footnote…………….. Modest as he is, Paul ommitted to mention that he was also awarded the Medal of Merit and on behalf of everyone at the 5th – Congratulations and thankyou to you both.

2011-03-25 – Leigh Pack Climbing

Posted on March 26, 2011 by Jason

Tonight, the 5th Dartford Scout group’s Leigh-Pack cubs had a climbing session booked for them by Akela John. Several members of the Kent Scout Mountaineering Team turned out to assist with what was for many of the youngsters their first climb. Notably, there were a couple of natural climbers in the number of young people who made several different ascents to ring the bells up top with ease.

2011-03-19 – District Cross Country Race

Posted on March 19, 2011 by Jason

Today, members from all sections of the 5th Dartford Scout Group turned out to compete in the Annual District Cross Country race at Canada Heights, on what has probably been the most glorious, sunny day of the year thus far.

Our competeing boys and girls put in a 100% effort today, many of whom have never run in a cross-country event before. They should all take a bow and be commended on their achievement regardless of the final results, which we’ve listed below.

Team events:

6-7yrs – Beavers – 5th Peacock-colony – 1st place.

7-8yrs – Beavers – 5th Phillpot-colony – 3rd place.

8-9yrs – Cubs – 5th Leigh-pack – 3rd place.

9-10yrs – Cubs – 5th Collins-pack – 1st place.

Individual events:

6-7yrs – Beavers – Harry – 5th Peacock-colony – 2nd place.

6-7yrs – Beavers – Jack – 5th Phillpot-colony – 4th place.

7-8yrs – Beavers – Oscar – 5th Phillpot-colony – 3rd place.

9-10yrs – Cubs – Ted (1st), Jack (2nd), Sean (3rd)

Under 12yrs – Scouts – James – 3rd place.

A big thank you to all the members and family who took the time to turn out and support the 5^th today.

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2011-03-17 – Collins visit Dartford Fire Station

Posted on March 19, 2011 by Jason

On 17th March, The 5th Dartford Scout Group’s Collins cub pack including 32 Cubs, 1 Beaver, 1 Scout & 2 future Beavers invaded Dartford fire station.

We started with an explanation from Dave on how the Fire Station works and a quick briefing on safety around the station. Then Blue Watch gave the Cubs a guided tour of one of Dartford’s Fire Engines, showing us a fantastic display of what equipment is used by Fire Fighters and where it is stored on the Fire Engine. Jack one of our Cubs was given the opportunity to be kitted out in the full Fire Fighters Protective Uniform to demonstrated what is worn during the day to day duties that the crew perform.

Everyone got the opportunity to sit in the Fire Engine and were shown the lights and sirens. Then came the highlight of the night when the Cubs and Leaders were allowed to use the Fire hose to put out imaginary fires.

I would like to say a big Thank You to Tracy, Kimberley and Kay for their help with escorting the young people around the station and to the parents for transporting them to the station.

Michelle Watts (Collins Pack)

And…………. some video of the event too………

ShelterBox Update

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Jason

As you’ll no doubt recall, the 5th Dartford Scout Group worked hard in 2010 to raise funds for ShelterBox. We are now delighted to let you know that our donation of £708.62 has enabled 2 boxes to be allocated and we can even trace their location here, wherever in the world they are deployed.

2011-02-27 – Cambria Voyager Cubs visit

Posted on February 27, 2011 by Jason

Today, the 5th Dartford Scout Group was visited by the cubs and leaders from the Cambria Sea Scouts’ Voyager Cub Pack for a session of Archery, Climbing and Rifle/Pistol target shooting. The cubs joined us just before 10am following a sleepover at Scout House and, as we were reliably informed, “Tons of Eggy Bread.”

The party was split in to 3 groups, which rotated round the activities with @ 45 minutes on each. The visit ended @ 13:00 with all the young people having had a great time.

Many thanks to all the leaders, instructors and scouts who gave their time to make today possible.

A selection of the photo’s taken today can be seen in the gallery below.

5th Dartford Scouts

Registered Charity 303370 – 62a West Hill, Dartford, Kent, DA1 2EU

Category Archives: Cub Blog