2012-03-03 – Quiz Night

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Jason

Quiz Night Saturday 3rd March 2012

Great fun and a little mental stimulation was had at our annual Quiz Night on Saturday plus we managed to raise £252 of which the £80 raffle monies and a donation at the end of the evening of £10 will go to the New Hall Fund and the rest of the monies to the normal running costs of the Group.

The competitors had to name the Dartford pubs from black & white photos of the doors. Tell us the names of the fresh herbs supplied. Spell correctly a list of Poisons and name the song & artist in the ever popular music round. Along with these a good mix of general knowledge made the evening go well and the team made up of The Elliotts, Griffins, Goodes & Friends won the event for the second year running but by a very close margin. Many thanks to the team who came last for entering into the spirit of the night and became our ‘Cadburys Fruit & Nut cases’.

It was great to see so many former parents still supporting us but it would be even nicer to see some new faces next time. If you have never been to a Quiz Night there is no embarrassment caused as all questions are answered as a team, written down on paper and we do try to make them fun rather than intellectual. So watch this space for the date of the next one.

We’re Collecting Sainsbury’s & Tesco’s Vouchers

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Jason

We’re now collecting the Sainsbury’s Active Kids & Tesco vouchers and you’ll find our collection box in the Scout hall foyer. For both the last two years, the parents and friends of the 5^th Dartford Scout Group have collected over 15,000 points, which have been converted to invaluable equipment for our young people.

Please do what you can to collect as many of these valuable vouchers from your own shopping or from friends and relatives.

2012-02-26 – District Beaver Fun With Food

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Jason

Sunday 26th Feb 2012- District Beaver Fun with Food Day

Peacock Beavers and Philpott Beavers took 18 boys to this years District Fun with Food day at Fleetdown Community Centre for 4 hours of tasting, creating and touching various foods.95 Beavers from across Dartford took part with each colony providing a different base. These included touching the eyes, mouths, fins etc of raw fish. Decorating iced biscuits with all sorts of different shaped sweets, tasting different exotic fruits from around the world, potato printing, making edible necklaces. Mini sandwiches of ham, chicken, tomatoes etc.Chocolate cake made in a mug in a micro-wave. Potato cakes, mini-pancakes, guess the crisp flavours, rafts from breadsticks & mini-rolls lashed together with strawberry laces that floated and the ever popular chocolate fountain.

At 1 o’clock we stopped and played a few ‘Food Themed’ games to use up some of their excess energy before heading home with their food boxes containing anything left that they had made (which wasn’t a lot as most of it had already been consumed).

A really good day of fun.

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2012-02-23 – Philpott Beavers Welcome Nancie

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Jason

PHILPOTT BEAVERS WELCOME NANCIE THE GUIDE DOG

For the last three weeks Philpott Beavers have been discovering what it might be like to have a disability of some type. Firstly what it would be like to have no hands and playing lots of games involving feet only and painting a picture with the brush between their toes. Not Easy!!

Week two they couldn’t hear. So a quiet night playing games using their eyes rather than verbal commands and learning some ‘Maketon’ sign language. Thankyou Big Beaver.

Week three we had a visit from Peter Smith and his Guide dog Nancie. Peter lost his sight at the age of 60 and to keep his independence had to learn to live with a guide dog to help him. Peter gave a very good talk to the Beavers about everyday life for him now. Answered the Beavers questions, let them stroke Nancie and gave them all a very good story book each called ‘Pippa takes the lead’ A story about a puppy who dreams of becoming a guide dog. The Beavers also raised just over £20 to donate to ‘Guide Dogs for the Blind’. Our thanks go to Peter, Nancie and his manager who provided the transport for such an interesting and informative evening.

Auntie Beaver

2012-03-11 – Masonic Craft Fair

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Jason

This morning, Members of the 5th Dartford Scout Group turned out to support the Dartford Masonic Centre’s drive to raise funds for local Scouting at their craft fair. There were many stalls selling delicious cakes, gift items, free-range eggs and even chickens. In addition to several beautifully maintained classic cars, there was also a vintage fire engine on display. We also met with Mr Stevens who took the time to bring his 1954 5th Dartford Scouts record card with him, which for over 50 years he has kept as a reminder of his time in the Owls patrol and his achievements in scouting at the 5th.

2012-02-09 – Burne Visit Littlebrook

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Jason

BURNE TROOP VISIT LITTLEBROOK POWER STATION

On a very snowy Thursday night 9th Feb at 7.30 the lads of Burne Troop descended on the Littlebrook Power Station for a two hour guide around the site. We were made to feel very welcome by Eileen and another tour guide whose name we didn’t catch (sorry). Firstly a brief talk in the warm along with drinks & biscuits for all, then we all donned hard hats, hi-vis jackets and safety glasses for the grand tour which was mostly outdoors with the snow coming down hard. The grand finale was the visit to the enormous control room furnished with masses of screens & computers. It was amazing!!!

A trip well worth doing with all 20 Scouts getting a lot out of the visit.

Thank you Littlebrook we’ll be back again.

For the full history of Littlebrook Power Station click here.

2012-02-04 – District 5-a-Side Tournament

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Jason

Today the 5th Dartford Scout Group was well represented in the district Scout 5-a-side football tournament, with teams from both the Earley and Burne Troops. Both teams performed exceptionally well with Burne runners up in the shield and Earley successfully defending and winning the plate competition. Well done to everyone who competed, but the groups thanks go out especially to Del & Ashley Hurd and to Phil Hannah for helping to make these events happen for our lads.

Above Earley Team: Adam, Tom, Matt, James, Henry, Charlie, Kyle & Ben, with Coach Phil.

Below Burne Team: Marwan, Harry, George, Pattrick, Christopher, Joshua, Ross & Sam

2012-01-28 – Campfire Mystery Success!

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Jason

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.

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

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Jason

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

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Jason

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?

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