Tonight the Phillips-Pack Cubs dressed as phantoms, vampires, ghosts, witches and beasties from the dark side to join in with the Halloween fun. Asside from the fab fancy dress costumes, there was apple bobbing, games and yummy chocolate spider making. A fab time was had by all who dared to enter – Mwahahahaha!
With 42 in our party, this was the largest contingent of Dartfordians to attend the National Scout Rifle Championships at NSRA Bisley. In our 6 years of consecutive attendance, this year was the first where we’ve had to contend with swamp conditions. However, the rain and mud did nothing to dampen our efforts as our Scouts performed well in their events, especially those who recently qualified in the NSRA YPS scheme who were able to put in to practice, under tournament conditions, all they had learnt.
Some of Dartford’s competitors did exceptionally well, having come in the top 20 Nationally and deserve special mention and they are:
| Name | Event | Class | Position |
| James O’Brien | .22 Small Bore | Beginners <14 | 7th |
| George McCarron | .22 Small Bore | Beginners <18 | 16th |
| Matthew Randall | Biathlon | <14 | 14th |
| James O’Brien | Field Targets | <14 | 4th |
| Brian Lloyd | Full Bore | 18+ | 10th |
| Keith Furlong | 6yd Pistol | 18+ | 15th |
| Joe Williams | 6yd Rifle | <12 | 11th |
It’s worth noting that ALL of the young folk named above are NSAR YPS accredited, which goes to show that with the correct training and practice you can achieve good scores.
As with all camps, none of it’s possible without the leaders and support team who look after the young members whilst they’re away and none more so than Karen and Pauline who ensured there were hot meals and snacks available when our young athletes needed it and Keith and John who arrived on camp early to pitch the tents to ensure kit could be stowed in the dry and Neil for loading the van whilst we were still shooting. Thank You very much!
If you want to be considered for the 2013 team, you’ll need to be practiced and focused as we’ll be selecting on merit – Shoot in the black and we’ll invite you back 😉
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The 5th Dartford Scout group is pleased to announce we have won a £5,000 award towards our New Hall Fund from the Lloyds Banking Group’s Community Fund. Pictured below Earley Troop leader Jason O’Brien recieving award on behalf of the group from Karen Hannah representing Lloyds and surrounded by members from our young sections. We would like to take this oppertunity to thank everyone who took the time to vote for us by text and email and who encouraged their friends, family and patrons to join in and support us – Thank you!
Over the past 6 weeks, we’ve been instructing 17 of our members to become proficient in the sport of air rifle target shooting with the NSRA Youth Proficiency Scheme.
The course concluded with an exam, in which a minimum of 70% must be attained before progressing to the shooting part of the test.
The “Shoot off” consisted of a practice card upon which as many “sighting” shots could be fired in a limited time period, in order for the participants to familiarise themselves with the rifle they had been allocated. Thereafter, a further 4 cards were issued where 5 pellets were shot at each.
In order to grade the participant’s capability, the NSRA created the following grade bands.
50 – 109 – Skilled Shot
110 – 149 – Marksman
150 – 174 – Expert Shot
175+ Master Shot
The level of competence from our members increases each time we run this course and this year every attendee passed with flying colours with 7 Skilled Shots, 7 Marksmen, 2 Expert Shots and 1 Master shot. A special mention to Jessica Boreham & Henry McCarron for attaining the ‘Expert shot’ and to elder brother George for attaining ‘Master Shot’ – The highest possible grade within the NSRA’s YPS scheme and only the 2nd one the 5th Dartford Scout Group has been awarded. Thankfully, all three of these Scouters and nine of the others attendees will be representing Dartford at this year’s National Scout’s Rifle Target Shooting Competition at NSRA Bisley next weekend.
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Tonight, the Phillips-Pack visited Dartford Fire Station and were given a tour of the facility and appliances by members of the Kent Fire & Rescue Service’s White Watch. To end the session 5 new members were invested in a horseshoe in front of the pumps.
Despite a lower than hoped attendance, the 40 or so who came to our Mamma Mia fundraiser had a great time watching and singing along to this iconic film and many had really pushed the boat out with their costumes to add to the party atmosphere as you’ll see in the photo’s bellow. Younger members helped raise funds, by making and selling popcorn, sweets and ice creams and handing out hot dogs, which came in the price of the ticket. Another successful social evening where we raised over £200 for the New Hall Fund.
One hundred plus members of 5th Dartford Scout Group descended to Bexon Lane Campsite for the Annual Family Camp, over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The camp was themed as “Back to Basics” with all the family experiencing a traditional Scout Camp. As with most 5th Dartford camps, family patrols were awarded points for various activities throughout the weekend, such as getting to the top of the climbing wall or getting a bulls eye in archery or shooting. These points could be used to mark points on 5th Dartford’s very own treasure map, with the closest to the “buried treasure” winning a prize!
To maximise a patrol’s chances of hitting the buried treasure, all were encouraged to participate in as many activities as possible. The weekend included the usual shooting, archery, and climbing, with the addition of a few different activities such as go-karts, a cardboard chariot race and backwoods cooking. A hike was arranged for Sunday morning with the majority taking part, fortunately only a few of these, led by Dave got lost! The evenings were spent with a wine and cheese night, and a quiz night, both of which were enjoyed by all adults, while our younger members enjoyed wide games around the campsite.
To finish the camp off, we had a successful campfire on the Sunday evening, a first time experience for many… and some excellent singing!
Judging by the feedback received, a good time was had by all, and a few “non-campers” have been converted! Thanks to all those who attended and helped to make it such a success.
Here’s to next year!
Zara & Dan
I’m sure you’re all as excited as us with the news that Dartford athlete Adam Gemili, broke the British 100m record as this years World Junior Athletics Championships in Barcelona. It was 0.04sec quicker than the previous championship record set by Trinidadian Darrel Brown in 2002 and puts him equal sixth on the all-time world list for his under-20 age group. It also makes him the fastest British junior of all time, overtaking Dwain Chambers’ previous mark of 10.06sec. We’re all behind Adam now as he prepares for success at the London 2012 Olympics, but did you know his training began as a Beaver Scout in the 5th Dartford Scout Group’s Philpott colony? 
Back in 2001, at only 7 years of age Adam and his team mates (pictured below) won the Dartford District Beavers Cross Country race and posed happily for a pictures.
Auntie Beaver and all at the 5th wish you the very best of luck and hope you’ll come back with some medals to show us.
Video: Adam Gemili’s Record Breaking 10.05 100m Run
Back at the end of May we told you about the Hobbycraft Crown Making competition and how you could see the the fantastic entries and vote for your favorite, by simply visiting the store. We are exceptionally pleased to announce that the 5th Dartford Scout Group’s Philpott Beavers came second place, losing out on first place by only one vote.
This afternoon Aunty Beaver visited Hobbycraft and was presented with a £50 hamper of craft items by their Asst. Manager Ian – Just a shame we didn’t get it in time to display at the AGM.
Well done to the Philpott Beavers and indeed to all of our Beaver Scouts on thier excellent efforts.