Group Receives Charitable Donation

A couple of weeks ago, the 5th Dartford Scout Group received an email from the Leigh Technology Academy, telling us that one of their students had won a prize at a recent business challenge evening and had chosen the 5th Dartford Scout Group to receive part of the prize fund. 

The student concerned is a current member of our very own Johnston Explorer unit and this is what he had to say about the donation:

“At the end of the school year, the Leigh Technology Academy held a business challenge for all Year 12s. The year group was split into twenty groups and sent to ten different businesses to solve real challenges that the business faced at the time.
 
My group was presented with a cheque for a thousand pounds at the end of the competition from the Academy as compensation, following a misunderstanding about who the competition winners were. We decided that because we weren’t competition winners, it was a good idea to split our money and give it to charity.
 
I chose to give £100 to 5th Dartford Scout Group. As a member of the family in need, I felt it was a good idea to give something back to the family that’s given so much to me.
 
When I was younger, my Scout Leader, Dick Medcalf told me “scouting never ends.” I’ll never forget those words, and to give something to the family who carry on what he led, makes me confident that it was a donation going to a place where it will be used with happiness and skill building.” 

Thanks Terry, your kind donation will no doubt be put towards our New Hall Fund, to help us to keep scouting at the 5th Dartford Scout Group for many generations to come.

If you have any ideas for new fundraising oppertunities or are in a position to donate to our fund, please email our group chairman at chairman@5thdartfordscouts.org.uk

Thankyou very much.

Summer Scout Camp 2010 – Corf, IOW

On Saturday 24th July, 51 Scouts, Leaders and Explorers from the 5th Dartford Scout Group boarded three mini-busses, flanked by the group van and two other vehicles and headed off to Corf Scout Camp on the west side of the Isle Of Wight, near Shalfleet.  Corfecampsite is not the usual open field to which many of us are accustomed, but groups of small pitches in the woodland, which gave us a very secluded and adventurous feeling, with the marque, kitchen and stores in one pitch, the Explorers in another, the scouts in another and the leaders accommodation scattered over a further 3 pitches.

With the weather on our side the scouts spent Sunday climbing and honing their pioneering skills building and floating rafts with varying degrees of success, which was more down to the availability of barrels than their knowledge of lashings. 

The new week began with each young person forming a line and choosing which activity they wanted to do first, then re joining the back of the line until the lists were full.  For the Explorers there was gliding at Vectis Gliding Club, which was paid for separately and for the group there was Canoeing, Sea Kayaking, Coasteering, Prusiking (Oak Tree Climbing) with Goodleaf.co.uk in a “Top Secret” woodland location, several Mountain biking adventures (depending on ability,) Rifle and Pistol target shooting, Wide games and football, Kite Flying, Crab fishing, Mackerel Fishing aboard the Robert Mark out of Bembridge Harbour – followed by a demonstration by leaders and active participation by the scouts of filleting and cooking the catch. 

We also had a trip out to the model Village at Godshill and a trip out to Cowes, where we saw the RMS Queen Mary II (QM2) leave Portsmouth Harbour, albeit a little later than scheduled.

For the adventurous, there were two overnight camping expeditions – the first party being the Explorers who planned and executed their own hike and camp and the second for the older scouts who were accompanied by leaders and Kay, the first woman in the 5th to have undertaken an overnight expo. 

The logistics for such a camp were tight at times, but with the 3 Kent Fleet mini buses and so many Midas certified drivers we pulled it off and got everyone to where they needed to be in order to participate in their chosen activities. 

As with all adrenalin filled activities, a good breakfast is essential to ensure attention levels and stamina and to make sure everyone took part in the preparation and serving of the food, the group was divided in to “Duty Patrols” and everyone took their turn in the kitchen, although the washing up fairy godmother took care of the hot chocolate mugs at the end of the day to get bedtime under way with a minimum of fuss.

The camp ended with a good old fashioned campfire with each patrol taking a turn in doing a sketch or a song, which went down famously with everyone.

For many this was their first summer camp, but with the experience and welcoming family feeling of the collective it was very easy for everyone to integrate and enjoy the week.  Some young people excelled in their duties and showed many skills and future promise, which we would not necessarily have seen in the regular 2hr troop nights.

All in all this was an excellent camp, with everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves and binging home more than just a kit bag full of muddy damp clothes for a change, but a week of memories, which will be treasured for many years to come.

There are a few photos in the gallery below to demonstrate some of the activities we did, but CD’s containing all of the camp’s memories will be available for all in September for a small donation of just £5.

So where to next year?

Watch this space…….

One of our old Venture Scouts, Jason E, who now assists with Thursday’s Burne Troop, sings of how they used to remember the name of an old colleague to the tune of Wild Thing, which he plays on a banjo constructed by Gary from an empty Quality Street tin, old timber and fishing line.  I’ve emailled Quality Street and hope they send us some sweet supplies for future camps – Here’s hoping

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World Cup Sweepstake

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.

2010-07-09 – International Cooking and Investiture

WOW, what a night we had tonight at the 5th Dartford Scout Group. Three weeks ago the 4 patrols of the Earley Scout Troop had each been given a country to research and plan an authentic meal to be cooked in a trangia. The Kestrals lead by Liam prepared Spanish Paella, Dom’s Eagles drew Italy and so it had to be Spaghetti Bolognese; Anthony and the Falcon’s went with Hungarian Meatballs and Phil’s Hawks went super spicey with Mexican Fajitas and hot spicey rice.  Everyone took some part in the preperation and cooking and then sat down together to eat what they had made – With Explorer Scout Adam swooping down on any unclaimed food.  Alas no pictures of the food being cooked, but the evening was still worthy of a place on this blog.

After everthing was tidied away, we had the pleasure of watching GSL Paul Boreham invest our newest member in to the Earley Troop’s Kestrels patrol, where he will be shown the ropes by Patrol Leader Liam.

Have you seen our Constitution?

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.

Summer Camp Health Form and Kit List

download: Summer Camp 2010 - Health & Kit (93.13KB) added: 06/07/2010 clicks: 113 description: Please ensure this health form is completed and returned before camp.

2010-06-25 – Earley Troop – New Code of Conduct

Members of the Earley Troop worked together to define our new Code of Conduct, which will be implemented as of today. Each member will be asked to sign the copy on the wall and will be given a copy to take home and show parents. Additional copies can be downloaded from the link below.

download: Earley Code of Conduct (40.88KB) added: 25/06/2010 clicks: 111 description:

2010-06-12 – County Dragon Boating

Saturday 12th June – Three Earley Troop members attended the first county Dragon Boating day at Bewl Water at Lamberhurst. 80 Scouts and Explorers from Kent were trained in the methods of Dragon Boat paddling and competed in several races.  All were treated to a trip around the reserve on the pleasure cruiser as well as making use of the great adventure playgrounds in-between paddles. Well done to Adam, Robert and Charlie for making the effort to attend this event and congratulations too on being awarded their Dragon Boat racing badge http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/badges/scout-activity-drbo.htm

Bisley NSRA 2010 – Apply Now!

Emails have been sent out to all Section Leaders, but if you have not yet received your Bisley 2010 application information you can download it here. Completed applications and event fees must be received not later than Friday 2nd July 2010.

download: Bisley 2010 Application (172.29KB) added: 16/06/2010 clicks: 146 description: Application, health form and kitlist.

2010-06-13 – AGM & Open Day

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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