The 1st Dorking (St Martin’s) Scout Group is one of the twenty oldest in the world.
Scouting started in 1907 and in 1908, the same year Robert Baden-Powell (in conjunction with publisher Arthur Pearson) published Scouting for Boys, the 1stDorking Troop was founded with 8 boys under Mr. Cavan. By the middle of the year, there were 25 members and Mr. Cecil Hodges, a local solicitor, took over. He became the first District Commissioner for Dorking (1909-1911).
Boys walked in from the outlying villages to join the “town” boys in the 1st Troop. Eventually these “village Scouts” returned to their own villages and started their own Troops.
In 1916, the Wolf Cub Section of the Scout Movement came into being and the 1st Dorking Cub Pack began. Our Beaver Colony was established in 1988, shortly after this Section was introduced by the Scout Association.
Rover Scouts were founded in 1918, Senior Scouts in 1946 and Venture Scouts in 1967. In 2001 they became Explorer Scouts and meet as a District Unit (rather than part of a Group). The 1st Group strongly supports, and provides many members to, the District Explorer Scout Unit.
In 1985 the Group entered into a sponsorship agreement with St Martins Church and adopted its current name, the 1st Dorking (St Martin’s) Scout Group. The Group has 2 thriving Beaver Colonies, 2 exciting Cub Pack and an adventurous Scout Troop.
6–8 yrs
Wednesdays in term term
5-6pm
8–10½ yrs
Tuesdays & Wednesdays in term term (2 separate Cub Packs!)
6.15-7.45pm
10½–14 yrs
Mondays in Term Time
7:15-8:45pm
If you wish to contact the group please reach out to David Collett the Group Scout Leader at gsl1stdorking@virginmedia.com
An explorer, adventurer and TV presenter, Dwayne's been seen in BAFTA nominated Channel 5 series Race to the Pole, on BBC Springwatch, Countryfile, National Geographic and Disney+.
Find out more
