This weekend, the 5th Dartford Scout Group’s Archery team supported the Kent County’s 25th Beaver Birthday celebrations at Quex Park, Birchington. In excess of 740 Beaver Scouts were able to test their skills on this adventurous activity, with many of them having never previously drawn a bowstring.
Our Beaver Scout colonies were very well represented at this County event and all who attended had a fantastic time.
Photo’s to follow…….
This year, there were a staggering 21 teams entered in to the district Tug of War competition including 3 teams of 8 from the 5th Dartford Scout group’s Earley Troop. Competition was tough this year, but we managed to reach 3rd and 5th in the main competition with our A and C teams and runner up in the Plate competition with our B team. It was really good to see so many scouts from the district turn out for this well run competition.
Well done to everyone from The 5th Dartford Scout group who represented us at the 14th Jambouree on the Trail, with young people from all sections taking part in the adventure. As usual, the starting point for the scouts, explorers and many parents, instructors and leaders was Sevenoaks Station. The route followed the Darent Valley Path for the 17 miles back to Dartford Central Park, which for the most part, was in glorious sunshine. Along the way our number grew as we were joined by Cub scouts and Beaver scouts at distances more suited to little legs; However, it should be noted that some cubs did the full distance and some beavers completed the Cub course too.
The Earley Scout Troop were given the chance to submit any photos taken for a prize competition and we’ll report on the result of that once all the entries are in.
Many young people took up the challenge to raise group funds for 777 through sponsorship for their efforts and once the totals are in, we’ll report on that too.
Finaly, a big thanks to the District team for making this a well organised event, which everyone enjoyed.
Go to www.virginmoneygiving.com
Click “Start Fundraising” (at the top)
Click on “Create Your Page”
Click on “Personal Challenge” and select your event.
Complete the questions, such as where is your event taking place and click on next.
Under Charity’s Name, type in 5th Dartford Scouts and then search.
Complete the next boxes as appropriate, then click on next.
You then need to complete your name and address details, click on the box you agree to the terms and conditions and press next.
Complete your date of birth (01/01/1995) – Note the site will only allow 13 years and over, so younger members may need a little creative licence here ;).
Input a password of at least 8 characters.
Click on next and you have done it.
You can also upload photo’s and add widgets to customise your page.
Now you need to spread the word to everyone through Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and text etc.
Make sure you send an email to media@5thdartfordscouts.org.uk so we can track and publicise your page on our website.
Good luck raising the funds……
Jack has been a member of the 5th Dartford Scout Group for over 6 years and is actively raising money for the New Hall Fund. On 3rd June this year, Jack will be taking part in the 150 mile Coast to Coast (C2C) cycle ride from Cumbria to Newcastle to raise much needed funds. Jack has already raised over £287 and there’s still 23 days to go.
Jack said…… “I am very grateful for any donations; Through Virgin Money Giving, you can sponsor me and donations will be quickly processed and passed to the 5th Dartford Hall fund. Virgin Money Giving is a not for profit organisation and will claim gift aid on a charity’s behalf where the donor is eligible for this. I really appreciate all your support and thank you for any donations. Yours in scouting, Jack Hannah”
To view Jack’s Virgin page and to suppoprt his efforts, please click on This Link.
The Virgin money giving account & links have been set up & we’re already recieving donations from friends & supporters. The new link on the right will direct donators to our money giving site for 777 – The New Hall fund, which allows them to make donations of any size & even cliams the gift aid for us too.
33 Members from the 5th Dartford Scout group’s Earley Scout Troop, Burne Scout Troop and Johnston Explorers made the gruelling cycle ride to The Shaw’s campsite at last weekend for our annual Easter Camp. Friday’s weather could not have been better as we cycled in glorious sunshine although the heat did make the hill climbs a little tougher than last years overcast conditions. Dave organised a great programme with backwoods cooking for the scouts for their first evening meal, including the sourcing of the materials and fire-lighting.
Saturday saw the young folk taking part in orienteering, saw and axe, safe use of knives, fire-lighting, plucking chickens and preparing vegetables for Saturday’s evening meal and as a total surprise and delight to most, Collins-Pack leader Michelle Watts arrived with ice lollies for all and 5 cubs eager to see what the next level of scouting was all about. The cubs took part in the gathering of fire supplies and made dough “Twists” with raisins and chocolate chips, which they toasted over the fire, followed by marshmallows cooked the same way. Upon departure, all of the visiting cubs said they were looking forward to moving up to scouts and we look forward to making that transition a reality when they’re old enough.
Alas the weather on Saturday, which until @ 15:00 was perfect, but fast changed (after the cubs left) in to a sustained deluge for over an hour with a lightening storm who’s epicentre was our campsite and a hailstorm with hailstones the size of large peas; and whilst this dampened our plans (and the fire we spent hours stocking) to cook all the chickens and rabbits in the embers, we had the trusty field kitchen and oven with which the fresh animals were transformed into a culinary delight, which was enjoyed by everyone.
On Sunday the weather was again perfect and after a morning of games and activities, including an Easter egg hunt we broke camp, loaded the van and set off for the cycle home, which due to the hills being predominantly in our favor, was some 2hrs shorter than the outbound journey.
On behalf of everyone at camp, a big thanks to camp leader Dave for his organisation and to all the leaders who gave their time and expertise.
Below are a few pictures from the weekend, but if you have more…………. please send to media@5thdartfordscouts.org.uk
We’ve now registered the 5th Dartford Scout Group for the TESCO vouchers scheme which is similar to Active Kids run by Sainsbury’s, but the difference being there’s more craft type items in the TESCO catalogue, which would be very useful to the younger sections. So could you please let your parents know we’re now collecting both when you return after the Easter break.
There will be a collecting box down the hall next to the Sainsburys one but it really doesn’t matter if they get mixed up as I will empty them each week and count them as we go along.
Many Thanks
Wendy
Over Christmas, the 5th Dartford Scout Group’s Leigh Pack Cubs decorated a tree for the Dartford Christmas Tree Festival.
The Cubs made and decorated decorations out of recycled materials to raise some money for a local charity.
John (Akala) asked the boys if they had any charities that they would like to raise money for, and one of the boys suggested The Teenage Cancer trust, which has recently started a South East Branch.
I contacted the Teenage Cancer Trust and made them aware that we would be raising money for their very well needed trust. They were very helpful with our appeal and sent us banners, stickers, balloons and a collection box, which along with the Cubs decorations this made a excellent display for our tree.
This is a wonderful occasion, where the children get the opportunity to really show their creative side and enjoy a fun evening of design.
In the picture below, I’m sure you will agree that our tree really did have great effort spent on it.
When the festival was over, the collection pots where counted by the festival organisers and we received a cheque to send off to The Teenage Cancer Trust for £65.94 which is a fantastic amount of money raised for such a fantastic appeal.
Thank you for everyone who donated to this fund, I’m sure this money will go a long way to helping young people in our community with life threatening illnesses.
If you would like to find out more information about The Teenage Cancer Trust please click on the link below.
http://www.teenagecancertrust.org/get-involved/as-a-fundraiser/unit-appeals/south-east/
