On the weekend of March 1st and 2nd, the 5th Dartford Scout Group, as Sainsbury Crayford’s Local Charity of The Year, had the opportunity to pack bags for their customers once again to raise further funds. Thanks to all the leaders and young folk who turned out as your efforts earned us in excess of £1,200.00, so a very well done to you all. Whilst there, two of the Earley-Troop Scouts were photographed with 2012 Paralympian tennis ace, Marc McCarroll and Sainsbury staff, who were promoting Sainsbury’s involvement with Sport Relief.
2014-03-08 – District Cross Country
On a gloriously dry and sunny day we were well represented at this annual district event, with members from 7 of our 9 sections. For our younger members, the traditional cross country races were run, with Peacock Colony taking 1st place in the individual 6yr olds and 1st in the 7yr overall. Philpott Colony won the 6yr old overall and took 1st in the individual race for the 7yr olds.
Phillips and Collins cub packs were represented, with Collins pack taking the individual 3rd in the 10yr old race.
For the Scouts, there was an additional element; the ToughEnough assault course, which comprised of various obstacles designed to challenge the Scouts. The Earley Troop won 10 1/2-12yr olds overall event and 3rd place individual and the Burne Troop won the 12-14yr olds overall and took 1st, 2nd & 3rd as individuals.
Well done to everyone who competed or came to support the young folk, but a special well done to all of our winners.
2014-03-01 – County Bog Seat Challenge
Around 40 Explorer Scouts representing ESU’s from all over Kent County attended the 21st annual Golden Bog Seat Challenge at Lower Grange Farm on 1st March. The Challenge is an archery competition with a difference, where the district with the highest average score win the tournament and the lowest take home the ‘Bog Seat’ and are also responsible for arranging the next competition. We at the 5th are exceptionally pleased to announce that the two Explorers representing the 5th Dartford Scout Group’s Johnston ESU won the competition. Very Well done to the both of you.
2014-02-09 – Beavers Fun with Food
On Sunday 9th Feb 20 Philpott Beavers and 9 Peacock Beavers joined another 72 Beavers from all around Dartford for the Bi-Annual ‘Fun with Food Day’ held at Scout House and Lutonia Hall in Broomhill Road and boy did we all have fun! Continue reading
2014-03-08 – Night @ The Races
A big thank you to all those attended this years ‘Race Night’ with 97 people in attendance we raised a fantastic £890 for this years summer camp. It was great to see so many families enjoying the evening, there were two combination prizes of £32 won on race 4 & 8, with £10 cash prize and a bottle of bubble presented to the first six winners, a large chocolate bar was presented for the children’s race and then a £50 prize for the final auction. With the money raised we are able to keep the cost of this year summer camp to an affordable amount for our Scouts and Explorers and arrange a sailing and kayaking day at Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre.
Please keep a look out for our future fun – fundraisers: Murder Mystery, Casino Night & London bridges walk ending at the HoP.
2014-02-08 – Quiz Night
On Saturday 8 Feb, Del & Auntie Beaver held their annual Quiz Night to raise much needed funds. An excellent night was had by the 10 teams and £205 was raised, with a further £10 generously donated at the end of the evening. The quiz results were very close, but this years winners were the Monteith, Enever, Hannah & O’Brien collaboration taking away the prize of chocolate and bubbly.
Sainsburys Active Kids Vouchers
With your help we collected a fantastic number of Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers this year. The final count was 23,079 and they have been put to good use with new equipment to help us provide an active and balanced programme without increasing subscriptions. Once again thanks to all our parents and friends for letting us have your vouchers and a big thanks to Wendy for painstakingly counting out the vouchers and managing the ordering process. A picture below of all the items we were able to get. Continue reading
Winter Camp 2014
You had to be there to appreciate the amount of mud or the amount of fun had by those who attended. If you weren’t there, perhaps next year? Below are a few pictures to capture the memories.
2013-12-07 – County Gold
On the 7th December 2013, accompanied by family, Charlie of the Earley-Troop, attended the County’s Chief Scout Gold Award presentations at Holy Trinity Church, Margate, where he was commended for his achievements as a Scout by dignitaries from within the Scouting movement. Having linked with the Johnston ESU he will be invested as an Explorer Scout at Gilwell Park, when we attend WinterCamp in a few weeks. Well done and good luck at Explorers. 
2013-12-01 – 97th Birthday Celebrations
It was a relatively mild Sunday morning when over 100 members of 5th Dartford Scout Group paraded down West Hill, with each section’s flags flying. Their destination was the Methodist Church in Spital Street.
There we were all given a warm welcome by the congregation and joined in with their normal Sunday Service.
During the service, There were readings from Calum, George, Nathan & Nathaniel and following Paul’s summary of the year, a presentation for ‘Scout of the Year’, which this year went to the Earley-Troop’s James O’Brien and joint runners up Christopher Roscoe and Nathan Hart of Burne-Troop. After the service, refreshments were enjoyed by all before we paraded back.
After dismissal back at the hall, the Scouts and Explorers went bag packing at Crayford Sainsburys to help raise funds for the new hall and an adventurous activity in the New Year. Meanwhile 70 Beavers and Cubs remained and enjoyed a buffet lunch followed by traditional party games until 3pm. This was a record amount of Beavers and Cubs to attend so the party was pretty hectic but fun nevertheless.
