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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On Saturday, the 5th Dartford Scout Group was asked to provide the pioneering activities for the Dartford District Scout Carnival in Central Park.  The 5th’s leaders, section assistants and parents helped build 6 structures for the young people in the community to tackle; the Beavers and Cubs, with the help of thier leaders and parents, dressed as Vikings and complete with a decorated Viking longboat, participated in the carnival parade.  The Earley Scout Troop was also victorious in winning the Scouts 5-a-side football competition, which put the cherry atop a great day, which I believe was enjoyed by all.

Special thanks to Maggie and the tea team who who kept us all hydrated on the events so we could focus on the young people having fun.

As always, we have some photo’s, but I can’t be everywhere at once, so please forward any other quality pictures, especially any of the Beavers and Cubs on parade to: jason@5thdartfordscouts.org.uk or on a cd in the Earley Troop mailbox at the hall.

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Friday 28th May saw @100 members and family from all sections of the 5th Dartford Scout Group descend on the Boyd Memorial Campsite in Henlow, Beds for our biannual Family Camp.  The weather was fine upon arrival and with the advance party having already pitched the marquee and set up the kitchen, the only thing for the families to do was to put up their own tents.

Saturday’s weather was changeable, with some heavy showers, but spirits were not dampened with a full programme of activities for the weekend, which included Pioneering, Archery, Climbing, Abseiling, Target Shooting, Kayaking, Raft building, Cardboard Canoe Building/Sailing, Quizzes, a Scavenger Hunt, Arts & Crafts, Kite Flying & Boarding, Trail Hunt and Wide Games.

Sunday was thankfully dry with a good breeze, which meant all the canvas dried out and allowed Ted “Cougar” Essex to treat us to a good old scouting campfire, with some new tricks thrown in too. 

As always this camp would not have been possible without the help of the leaders who put so much effort in to make it work, especially our camp leader – Tim Roscoe, but not forgetting the commitment of the parents and family of our members whoes continued support makes it all possible.

Here are some of the 400+ pictures taken and received thus far.  If you have more pictures, which we can publish, please forward them to me at jason@5thdartfordscouts.org,uk and I’ll publish the best ones.

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It was a grey, damp and often rainy day, which began for most at 08:30 at Sevenoaks station for the 17 mile hike back to Darford Central park on the 13th annual Jamboree On The Trail. 

If you have photo’s to submit, please email them to Jason@5thdartforscouts.org.uk and the most amusing printable photo taken by a young person, will win a mystery prize of some description.

Keep watching this post for more of the pictures taken by scouts en-route……..

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Today representatives from all sections of the 5th Dartford Scout Group attended a St George’s Day service in full smart uniform with the other groups in the Dartford District.  We assembled in Central Park at 10:45 for the 11:00 service  and then paraded around the town @ 11:40.

Thankyou to everyone who made the effort to attend this important service and to all the supporters who lined the streets to cheer us on.

Ted ‘Cougar’ Essex stepped in to lead the group in the parade as GSL Paul ran the London Marathon to raise money for the EllenorLions Hospice, which he did in @ 4 1/2 hrs .  Paul had challenged all sections to try and match his 26.2 mile effort in what ever way they could.

Each cub in the Collins and Leigh Cub Packs ran 2 laps of the park and 8 members of the Earley Scout Troop walked the 8 miles from Greenhithe back to the hall along the Thames.

Please forward any photo’s taken for our archive to me at  jason@5thdartfordscouts.org.uk; Photo’s should ideally be 600 x 800 resolution.  You’ll find a good Microsoft power tool for XP in our downloads section, which will do this for you.

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