At 09:00 on Good Friday, 19 Earley scouts, 3 Johnson Explorers, 5 leaders and 2 instructors set of in three groups from HQ; to cycle a planned route to the Shaws campsite in Cudham. The going was tough for some of the younger scouts as the weather and the hills were against us, but everyone made their best effort.
The Shaws is a Guide camp, but at this time of year only the 9th were as willing to brave the elements as the Earley troop and aside from a single Guide group who were confined to quarters, we had the land to ourselves. The facilities at the Shaws were quite respectable with a powered wooden mess hall for cooking and eating and allocated block showering and toilet facilities, which were all in a good order.
Upon arrival, camp was struck and the lads went off orienteering, before honing their backwards cooking skills by preparing their evening meal of Bangers, mash and beans.
Saturday was again focused on the great outdoors with the leaders walking the orienteering course with the group, then mountain boarding and grass sledging before lunch. In the afternoon we looked at woodsman skills with log gathering, sawing and timber splitting with axes. A campfire was created to cook the free range chickens, which were slaughtered for us by Richardson’s. Upon being delivered to camp by Maggie and Lynne, the chickens were plucked, beheaded and gutted by the scouts before being seasoned, double wrapped and baked in the embers, before being devoured with a fine selection of root vegetables by the ravenous scouts.
After Sundays breakfast, there was an Easter egg hunt before Dan, one of our departing scouts presented each member of camp with an Easter egg, which was generously given by his parents. For Dan, Billy and Gareth, this was their last camp as Early troop, as they now move on to the Johnston explorers with Daniel and Jack – Good luck to you all on the next stage of scouting and we hope to see you at future group camps.
Thankfully, the route home after lunch was easier than getting there and in spite of a brief hailstorm before we set off, the sun shone, the lads seemed to finally get the hang of their gears and we all enjoyed the journey back to the hall.
A big thanks to Dave Monteith who planned and executed an excellent camp and in doing so gained his night’s away permit.
Well done everyone who attended for representing the Earley troop and the 5th Dartford Scout group in a respectful and thoughtful manner as we would like to visit this site and enjoy its facilities again.
For our older members – we can keep updated on what’s going on in the group with our new Twitter Blog. Let us know your news at 
Did you know that the 5th Dartford Scout Group has a group on Facebook, which isn’t used by the current membership? Come on Scouts, Explorers, Network and older members – have you nothing to say for yourselves? Please keep it clean and fun, but asside from that it’s a forum for you the members to help stear our future or remember our past. Go on have a go ;O)
GSL Paul heard how well the Collins pack had done and wanted to jump on the bandwagon to boost the monies already raised. A plan for a Karaoke-Disco was hatched and came to fruition with a great turnout consisting of faces old and for just £2 an adult and a quid-a-kid. Maggie organised a well stocked raffle with some fab prizes and the decks were managed by Stu, Fra, Dibs and Adam.
Tonight 4 members of the 5th Dartford Scout Group, Sean, Christopher, James and Tom, made the final transition from cubs to scouts as they left the Leigh Cub Pack and were invested in to the Earley Scout Troop. The ceremony was performed by GSL Paul and assisted by Dan, who will himself be moving on to explorers after Easter camp. 
Today saw members from all sections of the 5th Dartford Scout Group enter in to the annual Dartford district cross country run. Thanks to everyone who made the effort to turn up on a wet and windy day and a very well done to everyone who ran. The group scores are now in and attached below, but as far as the 5th Dartford scout’s group are concerned, this is how we did: 
Today 13 members of the 5th Dartford Scout Groups’ Earley Troop, 4 leaders and family members visited Biggin Hill airport on a trip arranged by Keith Furlong. We were shown around some of the airport including private planes, simulators and historic WWII buildings and bunkers by Air Scout leader Alan Piper and his knowledgeable colleagues. Alas the day did not have enough hours to see and do everything we would have liked, so all being well another visit can be arranged in the not too distant future.
Today the Falcon Patrol from the 5th Dartford Scout Group’s Earley Troop went bowling at the AMF Centre in Gravesend. The trip was arranged as a reward for winning the last Patrol Challenge, where points were gained for attendance, presentation, scouting challenges and games. Alas 2 members were unable to attend, but everyone there had a great time and I’m sure the Falcons will try just as hard in the current challenge to claim another reward, but the competition is hotting up already. Jack (top centre) pipped George (below centre) to win the match by just 1 pin. Well done chaps.
Tonight not one, but two senior cubs from the Leigh Pack – 5th Dartford Scout Group, James O’Brien and Tom Hannah, met with the mayor, scouting dignataries and 31 other cubs from the district to receive their Chief Scout Silver award certificates. There were many happy faces and proud parents there, but I suspect some of them could have been because of the complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits………… 
