2012-01-28 – Campfire Mystery Success!

What can we say about this night other than a total success?  Everyone had a fantastic time amongst friends old and new and we raised £600.00 for the New Hall Fund to boot!  Many thanks to Russ for hatching the plan and acting as Master of Ceromonies for the evening.  Even the “Cast” were unaware as to the identity of the “Criminal” right up to the end.  I don’t think there will be any Oscar nominations handed out, but there will be the memories of a good night for years to come.  Special thanks to Maggie and Karren for keeping us all well fed and to the Worshipful Mayor of Dartford, Cllr Eddie Lampkin for joing in with our folly.

2012-01-19 – Philpott Beavers visit Pets at Home

Philpott Beavers visit ‘Pets at Home’

Thursday 19th January 2012 Philpott Beavers descended on ‘Pets at Home‘ in Crayford as part of their Animal Friend badge. As we were such a big group we were divided into two, one set going upstairs to see the reptiles and fish and the second staying downstairs to meet the animals and then swapping over half way through.

Many thanks to our hosts Ben & Kerry who were extremely knowledgeable and answered all the Beavers questions. We were able to play with the rabbits, guinea pigs and even a rat and were allowed to handle the reptiles or in Tommy’s case let one crawl over his head.

What a wonderful experience we had! Thank you ‘Pets at Home‘ for making us so welcome and teaching us such a lot.

Auntie Beaver

2012-01-06 – WinterCamp2012

All packed and ready to set off early on a sunny, dry day seemed just too good to be true and it was just that – The van wouldn’t start with a coil fault.  With most of the leaders having taken the day off to set camp, we had to unload and reload a hire van with all the camp provisions and set off for Gilwell at roughly the time we usually go, so perhaps Dave had a premonition when he suggested we start off early?

An easy journey to Gilwell and nobody queuing in front of us at the drop off point, but the usual wrangling ensued over where we wanted to camp vs where the organisers wanted to put us. However, a most agreeable compromise was made, with our allocated pitch being close to the car park, yet tucked away from the main thoroughfares and on firm and well drained ground, which was a bonus after last year’s mud bath.  Camp was set within a very short time and well in advance of the arrival of the Scouts and Explorers, who brought our party size to 37 all in.

Events and activities were much the same as in each of the previous 4 years we’ve attended, with the Segways, off-Road 4×4’s, amphibious vehicle, Laser Quest and Rave, with its infamous mosh-pits were the talk of the camp.  Everyone seemed to have a great time and because of the warm and dry weather, parents will have been pleased with the minimal wash-loads too.

Thoughts and plans are already underway for WinterCamp2013, but more of the same or will we have a change for a new adventure?