2011-11-24 – District Quiz Winners – Earley Troop

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Jason

Despite initial set backs with an attack of fatigue, a toothache and a no show from the original line-up, two emergency substitutions were made in the form of James and Henry who joined George, Connor and Robert to form the Earley Troop team.

Rounds included Chocolate/confectionery cryptic quiz (eg High class road – Quality Street), picture quizzes (current affairs, sportsman) music round (TV theme), skittles sweets – guess the flavour, countries cryptic quiz, Mario kart Wii, transfer of smarties with a straw to name but a few.

The event was well attended, with 8 troops from the distrct represented and just one table free, which served as a good base around which the attending leaders could gather. Suffice to say that the Earley Troop won the competition with a 6 point lead and a total of 127 points.

Thanks to Keith for managing the team and indeed to 8th and the district team who make these events possible.

Well done!

2011-11-19 – Up, Up and Away for Gareth…..

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Jason

Explorer Scout Gareth Goes Solo

Today, Gareth Furlong of the 5th Dartford Scout group’s Johnston Explorers took to the air in his first and second solo glider flights.

Gareth has been on a scholarship programme at the Kent Gliding Club in Ashford for a couple of years, where his work has been rewarded with flight time. Despite being a capable glider pilot with many hours of flight time behind him, there has always been someone else in the cockpit, so we can only imagine the look on his face when he was told that “today was the day” and the adrenaline surge he must have experienced knowing that he was on his own for the first time – What a rush!

Well done Gareth.

2011-11-20 – Chief Scout Bronze Awards

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Jason

2011-11-20 – Chief Scout Bronze Awards

Today, at a district ceremony held at St Mary’s Church, Greenhithe and attended by the cream of Dartford’s Beaver Scouts, 10 members from the 5th Dartford Scout Group’s Beaver colonies were presented with their Chief Scout Bronze Award by Kathy Smith – ACC Kent Beaver Scouts. The Chief Scout Bronze award is the highest accreditation a Beaver-Scout can achieve and shows the level of commitment from both the young person and their leaders.

A special mention for James, Megan and Chloe of the Edwards colony who achieved their award in just 9 months and with Chloe and Megan being the first girls in the history of the 5th to achieve the bronze award it proves that a year on, the Edwards colony and the leadership team behind it are yet another success story for the 5th.

On behalf of all at the 5th, we congratulate you all on your award and recognise the effort that you put in to complete the requisite challenges – Well done!

If you have any photo’s to be included in our archive, please send them to media@5thdartfordscouts.org.uk

2011-11-19 – District Beaver Camp Fire

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Jason

District Beaver Camp Fire Day Saturday 19th Nov 2011

Lower Grange Farm Maidstone, Kent Scout H.Q played host to Dartford Beavers including Beavers from both the 5th Dartford Scout Group’s Philpott and Edwards Colonies.

With a wonderful warm, sunny November day, the Beavers spent the afternoon exploring the woods finding all sorts of leaves, berries and mini-beasts. Collecting piles of wood ready for the camp fire which was transported across the fields by a human chain of Beavers and pond dipping in the stream.

Then back to ‘The Barn’ for Hot Dogs and Drinks followed by a brilliant hour round the camp fire singing traditional CampFire songs.

I bet every Beaver fell asleep on the way home happy and exhausted, I know the Leaders in my car did.

Auntie Beaver

2011-11-14 – 4 New Explorers Invested

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Jason

Tonight Matthew, Jack, Abbie and Billy of the 5th Dartford Scout Group’s own Johnston Explorers were invested as full members by Explorer Leader Dave, with Adam assisting. Matthew has recently rejoined the group after Earley-Troop nights clashed with sporting commitments, but we’re very pleased he’s been able to come back. Jack, having achieved his Chief Scout Gold Award, has been a credit to the Earley-Troop. Abbie is new to Scouting at the 5th and Billy a member for many years both prove that Exporer Scouting has something for everyone in this age range.

The Johnston Explorers‘ numbers have sored lately due to a surge in interest and a revised programme of adventurous activities planned, the future looks bright. If you want to know more about joining the Johnston Explorers as an Explorer or Adult helper click here.

Collins-Pack Chief Scout Silver Awards

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Jason

At a recent district ceremony held in the Mayor’s parlour and attended by the cream of Dartfords’ Cub Scouts, 9 members of the 5th Dartford Scout Group’s own Collins-Pack cubs were presented with their Chief Scout Silver Award by the Honourable Mayor of Dartford. On behalf of all at the 5th, we congratulate you all on your award and recognise the effort that you put in to complete the requisite challenges – Well done!

2011-10-26 – 777 Press; La Voix du Nord

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Jason

In an email from our friends in Gravelines, France we recieved this press cutting from La Voix du Nord (The Voive of the North), acompanied by the following translated text.

“Dear Friends,

Please find attached the article from La Voix du Nord (newspaper “The Voice of the North”) reporting on our 2 Scout friends, Alex and Malcolm of the 5^th Scouts Division in Dartford, our twin-town, at the start of the French leg (of their marathon).

I hope you will enjoy it.”

Alain Létreux
Responsable du Groupe “Pêcheurs d’Islande”
des Éclaieuses et Éclaireurs de France
Secrétaire Adjoint des Amis du Jumelage

<Translated>

Start of the French leg in front of the Arsenal building in the presence of:

A delegation of 12 scouts from the 5^th Scout division in Dartford who arrived this morning to mark the occasion, led by Paul Boreham in charge of the group, together with two representatives.

Bertrand Ringot from the General Council and Mayor of Gravelines; Councillor Raoul Defruit, President of the Youth Commission and friend of the “Amis du Jumelage” – Friends of Twinning; Edmonde Jourdain, secretary of the “Amis du Jumelage”; Alain Létreux, representative of the group “Pêcheurs d’Islande ” – (Icelandic fishermen) of the Guides and Scouts of France in Gravelines, with other members of the group and the joint-secretary of the “Amis du Jumelage”; Christian Hogard, representing the group “Paul Emile Victor” (a French explorer) from the Guides and Scouts of France in Loon-plage with other members of the group.

2011-10-27 – Dartford Messenger 777 Cuttings

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Jason

2011-10-27 – Beavers Halloween Party

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Jason

This year we welcomed Edwards Beavers to our joint Philpott & Peacock Colonies Beaver Halloween Party. In total 34 Beavers turned up dressed as Ghosts, Ghouls, Vampires and Witches along with 9 Leaders who also dressed for the occasion.

Traditional games were played such as getting Doughnuts from a string using only their teeth, Apple Bobbing, Sweets from a plate of flour, Matching Spooky pictures and the ever popular Halloween Story game Oooh Spooky!!

Spidery Cakes, Ghostly Biscuits, Creepy Crisps were all washed down with Witches Brew; and each Beaver had a Trick or Treat bag to take home.

All good fun and nice to see all three Beaver Sections together.

2011-10-23 – 777 Blog – Day 7

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Jason

Day 7 – London – Dartford Marathon:

Sunday 23rd October 2011 – The day MORE scouts came.

08:40 at Dartford Train Station heading for London and Trafalgar Square the start line for the last leg of the 777 Challenge. Both of us stiff legged and more than ready for the culmination of the weeks effort. The support team had grown yet again with a crowd of Scouts and Leaders travelling up with us boosting our spirits. On arrival at the start line we were met by yet more supporters. The first 6 miles we were accompanied by Scouts from Early and Burne Troup who set off at blistering pace of 8 minute miles. After looping around Oxford Street and Hyde Park we ran back into Trafalgar Square having already totalled nearly 7 miles. Leaving our scout escort we continued across to the South Bank and through Docklands, for this stage I have one word and its painful. We were met at the top of Greenwich Park by more runners and support cyclists as we pushed on up the steep climb of Shooters Hill, we were willed on by shouts of encouragement. As we entered Welling, the 20 mile point, we were again joined by yet more scouts and leaders from the 5^th Dartford. Next we passed through Bexleyheath and Crayford cheered on by groups of supporters who stopped traffic enabling us to pass unhindered. By this point people from the local pubs and shops we passed joined the groups of Scouts on the streets cheering us passed. We descended the final hill into Dartford the pace increasing as we knew the final stretch was ahead. On entering Central Park we headed for the bandstand and at the finish line we saw the welcoming party and our hearts lifted, at 15:13 on 23^rd October 2011 we had completed 7 Marathons in 7 Countries in 7 Days all but one of which was under 5 hours, not bad.

I would like to thank Darren and Matt our immediate support team, for their immense efforts, unwavering support and patience in keeping us going when we were fed up. I would also like to say a big thanks to the 5^th Dartford Scout Group for letting us use their banner to run under and the leaders, scouts and parents for supporting and running alongside us as well as all those who have backed us financially.

Brilliant effort and thank you.