This evening Kyle was invested into the the Earley troop by GSL Paul and Hawks patrol Leader Daniel. Kyle has now taken his next step on his scouting journey having moved up from the Leigh pack and is wished well and welcomed by all at the Earley troop.
Tonight two Leigh pack Sixers, James and Tom, were awarded the Chief Scout Silver Award by ADCSC Mick Scriven. Both boys have worked very hard with their badgework and challenges whilst they’ve been Leigh pack cubs – so much so that Mick joked that they’d need an extra arm were they to receive any more badges. Both boys are now looking forward to linking with the Earley scout troop for the next part of their scouting journey. Well done to you both.
As you may remember from Tales of our Birthday Parade, The Leigh Pack sponsored and decorated a Christmas Tree at the Spital Street Methodist Church to raise money for The Ellenor Hospice charity, who assisted with the care of Dick. The boys efforts raised £42.98 in donations -Well done lads, every penny counts. A further collection was made at Christchurch on 16th December, during the Cubs and Beavers District Carol Concert, where we raised a further £125.92, which has brought our total thus far to £162.98.
Tonight with the grateful help of Gary Missions, each of the Earley Troop patrols constructed and rode a hovercraft powered by an electric leaf blower.
This activity was the brainchild of Keith Furlong and was quite possibly one of the most successful evenings for some time, with everyone having a great time, despite the dust clouds.
This activity was made possible with the loan of the leaf blowers and scrounging of other supplies like Ply-board, staples, DPC sheeting and gaffer tape and the cost to the group was amazingly less than £12. In order to run this activity again, perhaps at short notice, it would be great to have a leaf blower or two in the stores, so if you once bought one on a whim and it just sits in the shed, still in its box – why not donate it to the 5th Dartford Scout Group, where we will make use of it.
If you can help, please email me at Jason@5thdartfordscouts.org.uk
Even us leaders had a go – weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee………….
On Saturday 23rd Jan, the 5th Dartford Scout group were the guests of Dartford football club for a tour of the stadium, its facilities and a practice session on the training field followed by reserved seating for the game against Carshalton Athletic, which resulted in a 1 all draw. After the match, the boy’s also had the opportunity to get the players signatures on the complimentary programs they were given.
A fantastic day was had by all as you’ll see in the following pictures and a big thank you to physio Dave, Manager Tony and all the management team and players for making us all so welcome.
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From everyone at the 5th Dartford Scout Group, we wish you all a very Happy, prosperous and generous New Year and hope that all of your goodwill, support and efforts will continue into the new decade to ensure scouting at the 5th Dartford Scout Group will continue to offer the standard and diversity of programme to which our members have become accustomed.
There are NONE as TOUGH as the 5th!
The 5th Dartford Scout Group braved -7 degree temperatures and fields of snow to camp at Gilwell Park Activity Centre, the home of Scouting and outdoor adventure, to represent Dartford as the only group in the district to attend this annual event.
Every January, Winter Camp provides the opportunity for Scouts to take part in over 70 adventurous and fun activities ranging from abseiling to zorbing.
In total, over 1,800 boys and girls aged between 10-18 along with over 600 adult Leaders enjoyed the experience of sleeping in tents for two nights, cooking on open fires and enjoying a packed snow filled programme overseen by a team of 200 adult volunteers.
Chief Scout Bear Grylls, who is well known for his adventures around the world, said: ‘Every young person deserves an adventure. It’s great to see that so many young people are getting stuck into adventurous activities like climbing, abseiling, quad biking and having a go on the high ropes, all in the coldest month of the year.’
Everyone at the 5th had a fantastic time and a big thanks to the leaders who gave their time to ensure our members have memories and experiences they will treasure for life.
Tonight, Beavers and cubs from all over the district attended a Carol Service hosted by the 5th Dartford Scout Group at Christchurch. Tom from Leigh Pack had the honnor of leading the colours whilst bearing and presenting the District Standard. The story of the Nativity and prayers the boys had written themselves were read out in fine voice and a fair sprinkling of Christmas Carols were also sung enthusiastically. Mick and Angela from district made presentations to the cub packs who had attended every district event and a collection was made to the Ellenor Hospice, which is the 5th Dartford Scout Group’s chosen charity for this year.
I suspect this is now the last post of the year, so it just remains for me to wish everyone at the 5th Dartford Scout Group, their families and friends a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.
Three of our scouts – Dan Ketley and Gareth Furlong of the Earley Troop and Josh Goodes of Burne Troop, attended a district ceremony at Holy Trinty Church in Margate. There were 50 Scouts/Sea scouts in total from all round Kent, with certificates presented by Wayne Bulpitt, the UK Chief Commissioner of The Scout Assocation. Well done lads, you’ve done us proud and set a an excellent example for next years patrol leaders and future scouts alike.
Members of all sections met @ 10am at the hall to parade the short distance to the Spital Street Methodist Church to celebrate and give thanks for the 93 years of scouting at the 5th Dartford Scout Group. As usual, the regular congregation were very welcoming and the Revd Tim Crome gave an entertaining and thought provoking service during which Dan Ketley of the Earley Scout Troop gave two readings. At the end of the service, GSL Paul Boreham took time to thank the congregation and Revd Crome for their hospitality and all sections, leaders and helpers for their efforts throughout the year, which had been difficult with the sad passing of GSL Dick Medcalf, who had bravely fought illness for some time. There was one exception however, in that there had been no mention of the Collins Pack or its leaders. Had Paul forgotten the efforts put in by Ted, Sarah, Zara and co or was there something else afoot? After a short pause, Paul surprised the congregation with a “This is your life” style prentation, which thanked and honoured Ted “Cougar” Essex for his achievements during his 40 years of tireless service to scouting leadership. Ted was clearly moved and said just a few words in thanks and reflection as he was presented with a fine tankard and “With Thanks” badge to mark the occasion.
With formalities over, the colours were paraded back to HQ, to eat lunch and prepare for the afternoons activities. A party was laid on for the Beavers and Cubs, whist the Scouts and Explores who had attended the church service and parade, were taken to the Chatham Ski & Snowboard Centre for a taster session in ski or boarding followed by Toboggan/Cresta run and snow-tubing.
Everyone had a fantastic time as the following pictures & video show.
