District Bulletin – April 2025

District Bulletin – April 2025

So spring has arrived, the clocks have gone forward and most meetings are now at least starting in daylight!  You can catch up on what is happening on the blog .

The last month has been busy, with the Beavers visiting Greenwich, Cubs exploring Global Issues at a badge day, Scouts learning new skills at a Skills Camp, Explorers cooking mystery meals, DofE participants practicing on land and water and Adults learning hill skills in the Brecon Beacons, completing First Response and discovering Gravesham’s past in World War 2.

At Hopehill, we now have lights on the Tomahawk range and training for new instuctors is ongoing, a new inflatable assault course (and new power for it), the climbing tower has been serviced and certified (watch out for details of training for auto-belay operators) and a course has been run for archery instructors.  This year Hopehill is celebrating its 75th birthday and it has a birthday wish list you can see here.  Starsky has been removed and it’s replacement is being erected, and in the background gas, electrical, health & safety and fire safety inspections have taken place and a dangerous tree removed.  We have received planning permission for the new toilet block and are planning for building to start in October ready for 2026.  

Coming up, we have Easter Hillcraft with nearly 70 adults and young people going to the Lake District for 5 days walking.  The district programme is busy for the summer, starting with a St George’s Day celebration which is both similar to past years but different, including activites after the parade.  A one-off addition to the programme is the Hopehill 75th Birthday celebration in July.

Many of you will know that the Scouts launched their new digital tools at the end of last year.  Although there are definitely some issues, the new training is definitely better than the old – and most adults have safety and often other learning due over the summer.  Please log in to My Learning and complete by 31st May.  We will be holding some drop in sessions to help anyone who is struggling over the next couple of months.

Hoping you all have a Happy Easter, whether you are busy scouting or enjoying some well deserved time off.

Fraser Patrick Lead Volunteer Gravesham Scouts

District Bulletin – April 2025