At the end of August, all of the Explorers, Network and Leaders safely returned from an epic two week expedition to Kenya. You can read more about their adventure here, including a summary written by Matthew Higginbottom, one of the Explorer participants.

All of those who went to Kenya would like to thank all of the friends, family and group supporters who helped with the fundraising and expedition preparations. Without your help and support the trip wouldn’t have been possible.

In less than a weeks time, 33 Explorers, Network and Leaders will depart for Kenya.

Its taken over 18 months of organising and fundraising but the trip of a lifetime is now just around the corner. Whilst in Kenya, the expedition team will be spending the majority of the time in Kissi supporting Harambee for Kenya.

Harambee for Kenya started in 2007 after the founders had been helping Kenya Scouts to look after street children. They found that unfortunately the children would go to scouts, change into their uniform for the meeting and then afterwards return to wearing their rags and go back on the streets. The founders felt convicted to set up a safe house to help the street children and were asked to concentrate on boys as they were harder to house with families.

You can keep up to date with the expedition by liking their Facebook Page at: www.facebook.com/23rdBromleyKenya2018/

All of our sections have now held their final section meetings for the summer term.

Thank you to all of the Young People and Parents for their enthusiasm over the term, but most of all thank you to all of the leaders who give up their time to put on such a great programme for their sections.

Although weekly section meetings stop until early September, Scouting at the 23rd Bromley doesn’t stop all together. A number of sections are going away on summer camps during the time off, and over 30 Explorers, Network and Leaders are jetting off to Kenya in August.

You can follow their adventures at: https://facebook.com/23rdbromleykenya2018/

Kim Pack have had a fun filled Father and Cub camp this weekend at Hopehill Campsite in Meopham.

They were blessed with glorious weather for camping. Over the weekend they slide down home made water slides, made Dutch arrows, competed in some problem solving games against each other and even had a chance to watch the football!

Everybody had a brilliant weekend – thanks to all the Cubs for being so well behaved, the Fathers for their enthusiasm and most of all thank you to the leaders who organised such a great camp.

On Friday evening the Scouts made a great start for the Working Party by clearing the driveway, trimming hedges, pruning the trees, clearing the path and tidying up the flowerbeds.

On Saturday morning a number of group supporters also came along to the HQ to help with some important general maintenance. Thanks to the many helping hands we were able to get lots of jobs done, which will help improve the experience that the Young People have.

The group would like to thank everyone who helped over the weekend – your efforts are very much appreciated by everyone at the group.

Happy Birthday to Tom Manthorpe, our Group President, who is 90 today!

Last night at Fellowship Tom entertained the group with tales and photos from Troop camps back in the 1960s!

This coming Saturday, 9th June, will be our annual Group Sports Day at Norman Park Athletics Track.

There will be track and field events for all sections to take part in throughout the day, as well as some special events at the end for parents, supporters, leaders and young friends.

Registration for participants is open from 12.30 with the first race starting at 1.00pm.

There will be a BBQ and refreshments on sale throughout the afternoon.

If you have any questions, please contact your section leader.

Fingers crossed for good weather!

It is with very deep sadness that we have to announce that Mick Golding passed away peacefully this afternoon (Tuesday 22nd May) after a short illness.

Mick joined Kim pack when he was 8 years old and has been a permanent fixture in the group for the last 51 years. He helped in both Scouts and Cubs and was the best Quarter Master we’ve ever had! He always turned up to help at Jumble Sales, Sports Day and the Christmas fair and that’s not to mention all the hundreds of camps he must have been on.

Mick has been a true and loyal friend to many of us over the years and we are sure that many people have happy memories of time spent with him in and out of Scouting. We encourage people to share these memories in the comments below…