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Today we celebrate 98 years of continuous Scouting at the 5th Dartford Scout group with a parade from our hall to the Spital Street Methodist church, followed by parties and paint-balling. Well done to everyone who attended and especially to our award winners and Harry and Nathan for their reading. Please read on for the GSL’s address and photo’s from the day. Continue reading
2014-11-17 – Explorers Segways
On 17th November, Johnston Explorers were joined by Steve, who’s father was a 5th leader in the past, and Tony from Leisure King for an exciting evening riding on Segways. With a course laid out around the hall, we donned helmets and were shown how to use the Segways before setting off around the course. Following this was a slalom relay race to test our skills. Continue reading
2014-10-30 – Beavers Halloween
A record 43 boys arrived dressed in Spooky costumes for our biggest Beaver Halloween Party ever. We even had a Dalek and Darth Vader join in the celebrations. Along with the valued help of four of our Explorers the Beavers enjoyed traditional games such as getting the Doughnuts from the string without the use of hands, picture matching, the ever popular story game Ooh Spooky! and Apple bobbing followed by getting minions out of the icing sugar once their faces were wet. Continue reading
2014-06-13 – Dr John Burne RIP
It is with sadness that we report that Dr John Burne, one of the founding fathers of 5th Dartford Scout Group, died on 13 June 2014 following a short illness.
In the early 1950s Dr Burne – along with Ernie Johnston, Skipper Leigh, Alan Medcalf and many other volunteers, worked hard to raise funds so that the old wooden hut used by the group could be replaced with a state-of-the-art Scout Hall (the one we know and love today!). It took three years for the group to raise the money for the project and building work started in 1959.
It took two years for the leaders, parents and other volunteers to build the new hall and Dr Burne was one of only a dozen or so people who saw the project right through from inception to completion. Lyn Medcalf remembers well Dick talking about how Dr Burne worked tirelessly alongside his father, helping to dig out the foundations for the new Scout Hall.
Dr Burne was a former trustee of 5th Dartford and one of our lifelong supporters; he corresponded with the 5th all through his retirement and took a keen interest in our activities and, in particular, our current fundraising efforts for (yet another) new hall.
In January 1986 the group honored Dr Burne by naming its new Scout Troop after him.
Dr Burne will be fondly remembered and sadly missed.
2014-10-11 – YPS Accreditation
The final quiz and shooting competition for this years National Small-Bore Rifle Association (NSRA) Youth Proficiency Scheme (YPS) took place on Saturday the 11th October. After completing the seven week course were the participants learnt about safety, aspects of the law, sighting, breathing, trigger control and the standing position they competed in the final competition and was awarded their Proficiency standard and as detailed by the governing body NSRA.
Congratulation to all who took part, and best of luck to those attending Bisley the Scout National final on the 18th & 19th October, but a special mention must go to Chris for his score of 183, beating last years record holder by a clear 6 points!
2014-10-17 – Bisley Camp
With a party of 30, the 5th Dartford Scout Group competed at NSRA Bisley for the 6th consecutive year. The teams were comprised of members from Earley-Troop, Burne-Troop, Johnston ESU and supported with many thanks by Karen and Tracy again for all our meals. The weather was favorable and remained dry and sunny throughout the competition. I’m pleased to report that everyone represented us well and turned up for their events at the right time, with the right kit and in the right frame of mind and as a result of our continued practice and development we attained 3 bronze awards, with Nathan in the Biathlon, Chris in the Field Targets and Kay in the seniors knockout. A few pictures from the event and our scores below.
2014-11-15 – Murder Mystery
SATURDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2014 6.30pm
Whether you’re a LADY or a TRAMP, an ARISTOCAT, A LION KING, or LITTLE MERMAID – time to be BRAVE , pick up MARY & POPP – IN to our Scout Hall where INSPECTOR GADGET needs your help.
Yes folks another chance for the whole family to enjoy a Saturday Night out together, dressed in Scouting uniform, camp clothes (onesys, tracksuits etc) or this time your FAVOURITE DISNEY CHARACTER – (prize for best costume.)
All you need for a great night out – which for our SLEEPING BEAUTIES usually finishes about 10 o’clock, is your own crockery, cutlery and drinks, and you’ll all be fed some of the 5 ths legendary Camp Food – with a 4 course meal for all.
The evening starts with a Leader getting MURDERED! (again) (not gory/non violent) then between courses you and your table of up to eight get the chance to try and work out by the visual clues – WHODUNNIT, when the story of the investigation is played out for your entertainment by the 5ths legendary players, as well as hopefully our legendary cubs and beavers.
With songs from films like Jungle Book, Toy Story, Mary Poppins and Frozen plus a raffle we hope you can all come along and join in the fun. Tickets £10 per Adult , £5 per Child (U14) available from any leader. All proceeds to New Hall Fund.
So like PETER PAN, you never grow old of the films and songs, no need to SHRINK THE KIDS – bring them with you! You may not be FINDING NEMO but you might find the Guilty Party, and unlike CINDERELLA – you’ll be well home by midnight – it’s hardly a HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL!.
2014-10-26 – Craft fair
On Sunday 26th October 7 leaders, 3 explorers and 8 Scouts represented the 5th Dartford Scout Group at the Craft Fair held at the Dartford Masonic Centre; All were well turned out and helped raise funds and promote local Scouting.
2014-09-07 – Johnston Microlight
On Sunday 11th September, members of the 5th Dartford Scout Group’s Johnston ESU visited the airfield in Tonbridge for a day of airborne adventure. Below are a few of the pictures from the day.
2014-07-18 – Adam Jumps for 5th
Since the age of 14, I had wanted to skydive. The thought of falling through the clouds looked fun and exciting, I once in a lifetime experience, unless you’re rich that is!
Unfortunately the age limit was 16 years for a Tandem Skydive, so I was going to have to wait, but when my parents asked me what I wanted for my 16th birthday, I knew exactly what to tell them. I also saw it as a chance to give something back to an organisation that had given me so many fun and exciting experiences, my Scout Group, 5th Dartford.
We had been raising money for a few years to build a new hall in Dartford for future groups in Dartford, so I started collecting sponsors.
The date was set for 15th July, after my GCSEs, and with help, I set up a fund raising page so people could donate online.
On 15th July the day looked cloudy and after a tiring drive to Headcorn, Kent, it was confirmed we would not be jumping today. Three days later and after another sleepless night, we did the drive again.
After an hour and a half briefing session and dressed in all the gear, I boarded the plane with my tandem partner, Dave.
There were 2 solo parachutists and 4 of us tandem skydivers. I was the youngest; the oldest was doing it for her 50th birthday. As the packed light aeroplane took off I started to feel a bit nervous, but noticed my right leg kept jumping and seemed to have a life of its own.
I was second to jump. I sat on the end of the plane by the door and Dave counted to three and we were off.
The feeling of freefalling through the sky was amazing and nothing like I have ever experienced before. I could hear myself shouting, hear the wind whistling around my ears as the skin of my face felt like it was being pulled back and stretched. I could see the clouds below me. I felt excited and relieved that I had actually managed to jump.
It felt like I was falling forever, until Dave released the parachute and I felt the pull of the harness straps cut into my groin!
Dave showed me how to control the straps and do tornados, spinning ourselves round and round. I took control of the parachutes and glided across the sky.
As we came into land in a nearby field, I had to make sure I put my feet up in front of me so I landed on my bottom. We were then taken back to the base. My first thought was that I wanted to do it again. Better get saving I suppose!
I have a video and photos to remind me of a great experience and also managed to raise £650 for the 5th Dartford Scouts New Hall Fund.
Adam (Johnston ESU)
