Member Article

Scouts Flip Out to celebrate centenary year

One of Kent’s oldest scout groups enjoyed an exclusive visit this week to the county’s newest trampoline park in order to celebrate the group’s centenary year.

The 5th Dartford Scout Group, founded on the 4th December 1916, is the longest continuous running scout group in the Dartford district. It’s also one of the largest, supporting three beaver colonies, three cub packs, three scout troops and a thriving Explorer Scout Unit, who were all guests at Flip Out Chatham.

Thousands of people have already visited the £1m trampoline park at Dockside in Chatham which was opened last month by the Sports Minister and Kent MP Tracey Crouch.

Flip Out Director Mark McGill presented the 104-strong group of scouts with a special cake to help celebrate. He said:

“We were thrilled to host the Dartford Scout Group on such a momentous occasion.

“We’ve only been open a couple of weeks and although this is the biggest single group we’ve had through the doors there was plenty of room for everyone to bounce.

“We’re looking to build more links with community groups right across the county and we’ll shortly be announcing a programme of activities for the new year.”

Kay O’Brien from the 5th Dartford Scout Group said:

“I’d like to thank Flip Out for a great centenary celebration.

“We’re currently fundraising to build a new hall and this was also a great way to mark the fact we’ve already raised £150,000 with a view to starting the build next year.

“The current building is almost 60 years old and with playgroups and others using it, we’re literally bursting at the seams and the hall is no longer structurally able to cope with the needs of those who use it.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Julian Bernard .