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Earley-Troop During Covid19 Lockdown

Since the start of the start of the lock down we have looked to continue with virtual meetings using Zoom 40 minutes free sessions each and ever Friday. Here are the details of what we been up to…

+++19Mar2020+++
Hi All,
I hope this email finds you all safe and well.
For the first time since 5th Dartford inception in 1916, following the Government and The Scout Association guidance we are to suspend all face to face meeting until further notice. This impacts Friday evening meeting, St Georges Day Parade, Easter Camp, Family & Summer Camp.
I have suspended on line subs payments, and will look to return all camp deposits via post over the next week.
Baden-Powell original scouts in 1907 started with groups of boys buying weekly publications and trying out the activities with their family and friends. In this modern age of the internet we will look to maintain Scouting by virtual activities, where we will be sending activities that you can complete with your family. 
The first one is the completion of Fire Safety activity badge that we started. I will send out information 19:30 on Friday evening.
Kind regards PB
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+++20Mar2020+++

The Scout activity to be undertaken this week… Please email photos and information back of what you have managed to achieved.
 
Fire Safety Activity Badge
1.       Talk to your family about what to do in the event of a fire at home
2.       Test your smoke detectors in your home
3.       Perform a risk assessment of your own home 
1.       Have you a smoke detector on each level?
2.       Do you have a carbon monied detector where you have stoves?
3.       Have you oil heaters and open solid fuel fires?
4.       Have you portable electric fires?
5.       Do you dry clothes over heaters?
6.       Do you use extension leads, electric wiring and fuses
7.       How do you use of household gas, including gas fires
8.       Have you any party decorations and candles
9.       What effect does closing doors and windows
10.   Do you use BBQs

Personal Challenge Award
Complete two personal challenges 
A few suggestions but please feel free to create your own:-

  • Give up using your games console for a week !!!
  • Help your younger brother or sister with their school work for a term
  • Learn how to communicate in basic sign language
  • Do at least an hour of physical activity every day over the summer holidays
  • Do the washing up at home for two weeks
  • Note in the attachment, any achievement that you have made over the next week.

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+++27Mar2020+++
Hi, I hope you are all keep safe and well
This week with these wonderful clear sky’s we can look revisit the Astronomer badge after our recent visit to Sutton at Hone Observatory.
In addition we can use these skills to help with our navigation to locate both north and south.
How to locate North by using your watch.
http://www.scoutsociety.org/repository/orienteering/Finding-North.html
How to locate South by the Moon
https://www.naturalnavigator.com/find-your-way-using/moon/

Astronomer Activity Badge details
Space Station – ISIS UK Fly Over Details
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+++03Apr2020+++
20:00 – Open up call and get used to the app
20:10 – Virtual Scavenger Hunt
20:30 – Collect in ideas for further virtual meetings
20:35 – End of call

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+++10Apr2020+++
1) Prepare and practice your jokes – First 10mins
2) Set up your virtual camp at home (a den in the back room or a tent in the back garden) – Remaining 20mins

                Sean camp fire 

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+++17Apr2020+++
Congratulations to Maisie for completing her personal challenge award, please send in you completed sheets to complete yours.
This weeks challenge as the weather is good and many were talking of BBQ’s is to make your own burgers, send in your recipe and photos so that we can all vote for the winner next Friday.
Below is the one I am trying from Jamie Oliver…

Jamie Olivers  Home Made Burger Method

  • Wrap the crackers in a tea towel and smash up until fine, breaking up any big bits with your hands, then tip into a large bowl.
  • Finely chop the parsley (stalks and all), then add to the bowl with the mustard (if using), and the minced beef. 
  • Crack the egg into the bowl, then add a good pinch of sea salt and black pepper.
  • With clean hands, scrunch and mix everything up well. Divide into 6 and pat and mould each piece into a roundish shape, roughly 2cm thick. 
  • Place the burgers onto a plate, drizzle with oil, then cover and place in the fridge until needed – this will help to firm them up.
  • To cook the burgers, preheat a large griddle or frying pan for 4 minutes on a high heat, then turn the heat down to medium.
  • Place the burgers on the griddle or into the pan, then use a spatula to lightly press them down, making sure the burger is in full contact with the pan.
  • Cook the burgers for 3 or 4 minutes on each side, depending on how you like them – you may need to work in batches.

Don’t forget the astronomy badge – you can clearly see Venus this evening

2019-09-20 – Earley-Troop Night Hike

Whilst Earely Troop converged at Ingress Abbey they completed their route card,  checking the equipment they had, the weather forecast, detailing the planned route. Before setting off, time was taken to look at and review the history of the stately home which is still a family home (Lord and Lady Hailes) which was built in 1831 from stones from the old London Bridge, the follies surrounding the gardens and the curse laid on Henry VIII and all future owners of the estate from the last Abbess of Dartford! Continue reading

2019 Summer Camp – Cinque Ports Expedition

With this years summer cap plans to return to Gravelines not be possible, Kevin and Sean quickly arranged an alternative expedition camp to the south coast at Kingsdown Camp Site near Deal via public transport.

Friday 26th July: With rain clouds approaching Dartford, we meet at the train station at 10am checking people in with their run-sacs and bags. Boarding the half past train heading to Walmer away from the rain, arriving two hours later, where we shouldered our bags and headed to the coast path via Walmer castle. It was not long before bags were adjusted and trades made helping each other out as we hiked the 4 miles to the camp site.

Continue reading

2019-07-12 – Decima on Dartford Creek

On Friday 12th July a fantastic educational visit was hosted by David Leal in Dartford aboard the historic Thames Sailing Barge Decima, David took the 5th Dartford Scouts Earley Troop around the Victorian Sailing Barge explaining the history of Decima, how at times it was so fully loaded that water usually came over deck, he let the scouts have a turn of operating the winch and the rudder, explained the Leeboards, then they all went below where David explained how the skipper and crew lived in the front when it was working boat, they had a good look around the hold. By all accounts the Scouts had a very enjoyable and educational visit. Big thanks to Keith for the fantastic photos and for arranging this and of course to David for hosting the educational visit. Continue reading

2018-10-25 – Beaver Halloween

Thursday 25th October 2018 was the date for this years joint Halloween party with Philpott Beavers and Peacock Beavers together.

Also invited were their parents and siblings which resulted in 40 people altogether joining in the usual Halloween games of Getting the doughnut off the string with teeth only, no hands allowed. Halloween picture matching for the younger ones. The Halloween story game for everyone in the hall and the traditional Apple Bobbing finishing with a game of musical bumps for children only. Continue reading

2018-09-30 – Philpotts @ Oakfield

Saturday 30th September 2018 Philpott Beavers descended on Oakfield Park in the sunshine.

Firstly following a map to the Nature Trail where they searched for Cob nuts, Fir cones, Acorns, Conkers, Rose Hips, Blackberries and Fungi. Then they all had a go on the Fitness trail. Next was a walk around the allotments to see what vegetables were growing. All the while keeping a look-out for this years craze of painted stones of which we spotted at least eight different ones.

 A short Pit Stop for drinks and biscuits and a play in the Play Area.

We then went for a walk through the Church graveyard and the Beavers saw the gravestone of Paul and Emma the young Adults whose lives were taken along with those of our Ian ‘Eggy’ Edwards almost 20 years ago in an Avalanche in Scotland.

This was followed by a quick game of football whilst waiting for their parents.

Result 14 very tired but happy Beavers who got home 30 minutes before the heavens opened luckily.

Auntie Beaver

2018-05-12 – JoTT 2018

Saturday 12th May 2018 was the date for the annual Jamboree On The Trail. This is an International event held for the last 21 years and the eighteenth year in a row that Dartford District including 5th Dartford Scout group have taken part.

After a spell of very good weather the week before, the morning turned out to be decidedly cool and a little damp but this didn’t deter our Group turning out in force. Some Leaders

and Explorers starting from Sevenoaks at 9.30am and walking the 17 miles along the Darent River path picking up Scouts, Cubs, Beavers and their families en route and finishing at Dartford park  at around 4pm. 

Here we were all greeted by District Leaders young and old  and given snacks and hot drinks and the much coveted J.O.T.T. Badge.

Well done everyone who participated however far they walked and we look forward to seeing you all again next year.