Beavers 25th Birthday Party
26th April 2011
1st Dartford's Redwood Forest Beaver colony had its first meeting on the 26th April 1986. We even have the scrapbook and photos to prove it! On the 26th April 2011 we held a 25th Birthday party. We celebrated our birthday with a re-run of the original meeting from 25 years ago. Beavers, leaders and parents were joined by the original leaders, Mavis and Ken Fry and Pauline Randall. Councillors Dave Baker and Avtar Sandhu also came along for an evening of fun.
Beavers are the youngest section of the scout movement and started in 1986. 1st Dartford Colony began with 24 boys early that same year, the first meeting was opened by the Deputy Group Scout Leader, Mr B Dye. Beavers all wore a grey sweatshirt and the same blue neckerchief with a maroon woggle, not taking on the identity of their Scout Group as they do today.
Originally beavers didn’t parade, salute, have sleepovers, didn’t earn activity badges or include girls. Now they are a fully integrated section of scouting, which includes girls in all sections. Beavers now learn knots and make ballisters, learn how to light fires, go climbing, abseiling, canoeing and camp outside.
Our party included some new games with Mavis and Ken directing proceedings, it was lovely to have them with us. Everyone made drums and joined in a drum circle lead by current leader Ian Biggs. Pauline Randall cut the celebratory cake, the design was the 25th Beaver Birthday badge.
Thank you to everyone who attended, especially our friends from 5th Dartford Philpott beaver colony who joined us for the celebrations.
April 1987
April 2011
