1911 “The Loon Patrol”
Scouting In Lakefield
Scouting began in Lakefield in 1911 with the formation of a troop called the "Loon Patrol". In June of that year they played a game of football with the scout troop from Warsaw. Both teams could boast of a shutout as no scoring took place.
Early leaders of the Lakefield Troop were Reverend Ben Olie, Minister of St. John the Baptist Church, and Lawrence Graham, manager of the Lakefield Canoe Factory. Some members of the Loon Patrol were; Art and Ted Webster, Tom Simpson, Holton and Ken Madill and William Ogilvie. Meetings were held in Christ Church.
Each Scout was to be outfitted with a uniform, in the English style, plus a kit. The combined cost was $12.50 and would consist of the following articles:
• pair blue shorts
• belt
• hat
• kit bag
• scarf
• knife, case and lanyard
• water bottle
• pair of coat straps
• Bible
• hair brush and comb
• shoe brush and blackening pair of gloves
• needle, thread and buttons, sweater coat
• haversack
• waterproof cape
• two pairs of stockings
• staff
• billy tin
• whistle and lanyard
• money pouch
• two suits of underwear whisk
• tooth and nail brush
• diary and pencil
• knife, fork and spoon
In addition to the above each scout was to obtain a good heavy pair of walking boots.
A 1914 report of a fire at the John McGrath Steam Sawmill stated that a number of Boy Scouts assisted in saving a quantity of lumber and shingles from the fire. No reference has been found of the date the first Loon Troop was terminated, but it must have been about this time. Ken Madill remembers as a young boy, wearing an old scout uniform in hopes that a new scout troop would be formed. By April of 1918 both a Scout Troop and a Cub Pack had been formed. Ken was made Assistant Scout Master by the Chief Scout of Canada. His certificate of appointment to the Boy Scout Association of Canada is dated at Ottawa, August 15, 1918.
In April of 1918, the Scouts held a bird house building competition. Reeve James Moore presented I st prize, a paddle, to Ray Welbourne and 2nd prize, a knife, to Clayton Ridpath. Roy Everett and Jack Ridpath received honourable mention.
In June 1918, the following Wolf Cubs received their Tenderfoot Badges; Kenneth Jakins, Eric Morin, Ivan Crowe, Harold Newberry, Spencer Hope, Keith Wannamaker, Rolland Alford, Jack Hope, Solan Nixon, Frank Madill, Gerald Sherin, and Norman Lemay.
The Cubs were under the leadership of Sargent Stenner, Miss Dorothy Hilliard and Mrs. Waldon. In March 1926 Miss Hilliard was given the Scout Order of Merit when she became Lady Cub Master of St. Mary's Cub Pack in British Columbia. She was the first lady in Canada to be so honored.
The Scouts were reorganized in October 1920 with Reverend Cecil Spencer as Leader and Reverend F. Vipond as Scout Master. Ken Madill was appointed Assistant Scout Master with T. Langley as assistant. Three patrols were formed. Number I "Loon", led by Roy Green and assistant Roy Everett. Number 2 "Eagle", led by Jack Ridpath and assistant William Harvey. Number 3 "Crow", led by Fred Webster and assistant Eugene Dixon.
In 1936, Mr. John McKercher, Manager, Royal Bank, organized another Scout Troop. The first meetings were held in the McKercher home, and later at Christ Church. This troop would continue into the late 1940's. On Tuesday, April 7, 198 7, the village passed a motion to recognize 76 years of scouting in Lakefield. Unfortunately Scouts Canada only -recognize the Lakefield Charter going back to July 14, 1936. Some years ago the Scouting Headquarters was moved from Ottawa to Toronto and it is quite possible that some records were misplaced or lost. The original 1911 charter, although fire damaged, is still readable. It was included in a display of Scout memorabilia during the 1983 Lakefield Victoria Day celebration.
Information supplied by Tom Atkinson tells us that in 1946, the Lakefield Sea Scout Group was organized with Mel Kingdon as Chairman and Wilf Lee, assisted by Ken Jakins as leaders. Ken later took over as leader and served in this capacity for 16 years. On the ProvinciaL level, Ken served on scouting and water safety committees and in promoting leadership training in scouting, boating and water safety skills. In 1957 the Governor General awarded Ken the Medal of Merit for outstanding services to scouting.
The Lakefield Group grew steadily as the "Baby Boomers" reached scouting age. By 1959, they had a Rover Crew under Mel Kingdon, two Sea Scout Troops ~ under Ken Jakins and Tom Atkinson and four Cub Packs under Madge Kingdon, Tess Cooper, Connie Off and Frank Hubbard. It was a proud day that year when Governor General Vincent Massey came to Lakefield Memorial Park to inspect the Girl Guide and Boy Scout Groups, and to hear the loud cheer when he announced a school holiday for the next day.
Troop activities varied with the seasons. In winter boys developed skills in seamanship, first aid, winter camping and swimming. With the spring came boat refits in which water safety and boat handling skills were taught. Training usually started with 10 oared cutters, borrowed from the Grove School, in which scouts learned to work together and take the responsibility of being in charge of a boat and crew. The scouts used canoes, small and large sailboat and a motor boat, as well as other boats generously loaned by "The Grove".
Seamanship training led up to the annual cruise in which, using the large sailboat, the troops travelled the Trent-Severn Waterway System and crossed Georgian Bay to spend a few days sailing on Lake Huron. Travelling the rivers and canal was usually under motor power with wind sailing on the larger lakes and on Georgian Bay. Meals were cooked on the shore and each night meant -a new campsite, generally on a piece of deserted shore & line. Trips were up to 10 days with Owen Sound the farthest destination. Each cruise *had its own adventures with storms, rattlesnakes, night sailing and being hosted by other troops, all adding to the memories.
Scout training was aimed toward boys becoming First Class Scouts and many went beyond this to become Queen Scouts, a very difficult and noteworthy achievement. Lakefield's Queen Scouts include Bob Henderson, Jim Galvin, Morely Brown, Chris Cooper, John Graham, Harry Jakins and John Huisman.
The Rover Crew was formed in 1959 with Mel Kingdon as leader and its first project was to build the Rover Den. They raised all the money and did all the work, starting with tearing down the old grandstand in the park for material and ending with a big banquet in the new den. "The Den" was a substantial building near where the present scout building is located but was destroyed by fire in 1970. Mel served faithfully for many years. Canoemanship, both paddling and sailing, was one of his strong points and with him the Rover Crew enjoyed many trips canoeing and portaging the creeks north of Lakefield. He had the unusual ability to stand on his head on the seat of his canoe and maintain both his and the canoe's balance.
The Cub, Packs were formed shortly after the scouts in 1946 and had the largest number of boys. While their activities are not as spectacular as building a Rover Den, they were a very active group. They played a major part 'in the Fun Night program and participated in badge work, hikes, cub camps, Cuborees, visits to fire halls, and Apple Days. Through these and other pack activities they developed many new skills and interests.
The Annual Fun Night was the event of the year with the high school auditorium packed for two nights. There was a different cast each night so that all could take part. The first part was by the boys followed by the Group Committee and the Ladies Auxiliary in the form of a minstrel show or similar activity.
The Ladies Auxiliary was a very busy and important part of the Lakefield Group during the 50's, 60's and 70's. These scout mothers provided banquets and lunches, raised money, made neckerchiefs and signal flags, repaired tents and sails and generally supported scouting in any way they could. While the Lakefield Ladies Auxiliary no longer exists as a formal organization the mothers still provide much of the same help whenever the, need is there.
The Sea Scout Troop met in "The Scout Ship" building, officially called SSS (Sea Scout Ship) Fraser, taken from the destroyer H.M.C.S. Fraser. The building was originally a depot where the steamboats met the railroad to load goods and passengers. In the late 40's the scouts obtained a-lease to it $1.00 per year) from the Trent Canal and held their meetings there for nearly 40 years.
The aim of scouting was and still is to develop character and useful skills, but programs change. The sailboats are long gone with boating now replaced with- paddling and portaging to remote campsites as the Rover Sea Scouts did years back. Lakefield now has co-ed Sea Scouts and is starting a co-ed Venture Company for youths 14 to 17 years of age. The name "Boy Scouts Of Canada" has become "Scouts Canada". Gone are the blue Sea Scout uniforms, the nautical white hats and the green cub sweaters. Old scouts are startled to see the new uniforms, especially with a girl in it but notice her with a canoe on her shoulders just as they had a generation before.
The Chief Scout Award has now replaced the Queen Scout Award as the highest achievement award for a Scout and many of the Lakefield Sea Scouts proudly wore or still wear it including: Bill Harris, Stephen Lageston, Bob Olajos, Paul Robson, Chris Smith, Craig Hamblin, Noelle Charpenter, Penny Robson, Sean Hunter, Dan Philips and Dylan Reinhart. There is also the Queen Venturer Award for Venturers. Three of our current Rovers have this Award. Dylan Reinhart, A.J. (Andrew) Reid and Rachel Northey.
In spite of the changes over the years, many of the traditional activities such as the nautical ceremonies, Apple Day, B.P. Church Parade, Remembrance Day Ceremonies and the Father and Son (now Parent and Scout) Banquet/BBQ are still in the program. Outdoor activities still form a major part of the program. Hikes still consist of footwork, tents still need to be put up and bivouacs made, firewood still has to be collected and outdoor cooking skills mastered.
Tom Atkinson and Bob Delledonn
