Written by Jason Crawford
Scouting began in Canada 100 years ago just one year after Robert Baden Powell’s experimental camp on Brownsea Island. It was introduced to the Cochrane area around 1912. According to an old picture currently in the Frank Wills Memorial Hall, Andrew Chapman was the Scoutmaster at this time and there were 16 Scouts.
Information about the Cochrane Scout Troop between 1912 and 1951 is a little sparse. Being that Cochrane was a small village with many ranches surrounding it contributed to the fact that some of the Scouts were mounted Scouts which meant that they had all the gear that the mounted police would have. The Scouts would swim and hike in and around the Jumping Pound Creek with their United Church minister as their Scoutmaster.
In 1951, the year many people on consider the beginning of the current troop, an official charter was signed by The Boy Scouts of Canada proclaiming the registration of the First Cochrane Scout Troop. Sam Peverell and Owen Philipps were appointed the first Scoutmaster and the first Cubmaster, respectively. Gordon Hall became Cubmaster after Owen Philipps and Roy Downs became Scoutmaster in 1955. After reading some articles from Gordon Hall and speaking with Roy Downs, it was apparent that for a village of just over 300, Cochrane had a sizeable and active troop. Most boys in Cochrane were Scouts and it wasn’t unusual to find up to 30 boys engaging in various Scouting activities including survival skills, camping skills, as well as various community service events. Many of the local men including, Graeme Broatch, Bill Lathwell, Clarence McGonigle, George Dutchik, Frank Wills, and Harry Coleman, gave their time, money, and support to the young men of Cochrane.
During the 1950’s there were several Scout troops in the area. Besides Cochrane, there were troops in Banff, Canmore, Exshaw, Morley, and Beaupre. The troops had many successful jamborees within the district. Camping, hiking, and several other activities kept everyone busy. In the late l950’s, Camp Whiskey Jack was established southwest of Cochrane (in the Sibbald Flats area). Another established camp was Camp Gibson which was northwest of Cochrane just off the forestry road. The camp was named after Guy Gibson, an oldtimer of the district. The Calgary Ice Stampede was another activity that was widely attended by the Cochrane Scout Troop. Certainly, some of the highlights of the early eras in Cochrane Scouting were the visits of Lord Baden Powell as well as the visit of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
The First Cochrane Scout Troop had two Scouts with the highest ranking in Scouting, Queen Scouts. One was Michael Simpson and the other was Malcolm Broatch. They both attended the 8th World Jamboree in 1955 at Niagara on the Lake, Ontario and the Jubilee Scout Jamboree in 1957 at Sutton Coldfield, England.
During the l 960’s the Scouting group remained active with several small jamborees consisting of groups from the Mountain Road district. Troops from Cochrane, Canmore, Banff, Exshaw, Beaupre, Westbrook, Bragg Creek, and Lake Louise joined together to celebrate the spirit of Scouting through competitive camps. The troop also became involved in the Musical Ride and continued their involvement in the Ice Stampedes. In 1967, Venturers was introduced. A program was now available for the 15 – 17 year olds. The motto was ‘Challenge’ and the program was designed to do just that – challenge the youth. No longer do the youth have ‘Leaders’ but instead an ‘Advisor’ to help them make wise decisions. It was up to the youth to plan their program and see to it that it is executed.
In 1969, Malcolm Broatch, district commissioner at Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan drowned in an unfortunate accident at Meadow Lake. In Cochrane, The Malcolm Broatch Memorial Award has been awarded each year since then to the Scout who best exemplifies the Scouting principles (Duty to God, Duty to Others, and Duty to Self). The recipient has a positive attitude and a good role model to others
Throughout the 1970’s, Scouting in Cochrane continued to flourish with the troop participating in several camping experiences in and around Alberta. In 1974, Beavers was introduced. A program was now available for five to seven-year-olds. The motto was ‘Sharing’ and the program was designed to encourage a non-competitive approach to learning about scouting skills.
In the 1980’s, Scouting continued to be active, under the leadership of Colin Henderson, with groups attending the 5th Canadian Jamboree in Kananaskis, various hiking and camping trips throughout Alberta, and the Venturer Company hiked the West Coast Trail.
My time with the troop began in 1990. Duncan Strachan was our Troop Scouter (Scoutmaster). Several people were Scouting Leaders throughout the 1990’s including a variety of Troop Scouters. With an active troop we always seemed to be enjoying the outdoors whether it was winter camping with snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and building quinzhees, or hiking, canoeing, or camping in the spring, summer or fall months. The troop planned an outdoors activity each month and usually camped five to six times per year. The troop attended the 8th Canadian Jamboree in 1993 at Kananaskis, Alberta as well as the 9th Canadian Jamboree in 1997 at Thunder Bay, Ontario. During the 1990’s, the Venturer Company also canoed the Yukon River.
After several years, Maureen Wills and the Frank Wills Memorial Society finally achieved their dream. On April 15th, 2000 the Frank Wills Memorial Hall was officially opened. Scouting and Guiding groups now had a facility to call their own. An enormous amount of work went into the planning, fundraising, and building of this facility. Each week Scouting and Guiding groups use the hall for their meeting place. Their continued support of Scouting in Cochrane is truly appreciated.
Since the year 2000, the Scout Troop has attended the 10th Canadian Jamboree in 2001 at Cabot Beach, Prince Edward Island as well as the Pacific Jamboree in 2003 at the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia. This past summer, the First Cochrane Scout Troop attended the 11th Canadian Jamboree at Tamaracouta, Quebec to celebrate the centennial of Scouting. One tiring is for certain; the Scout Troop in Cochrane has always been busy.
While volunteering throughout the sections, it has become apparent that many volunteers have contributed to the involvement of hundreds of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Venturers. Over the last 18 years the Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts have participated in several sleepovers (Science Centre, Tyrrell Museum, Calgary Zoo, etc.), many camps (over 100), as well as numerous Scouting activities ranging from field trips, hiking, and canoeing to training sessions and community service events.
Since Scouting’s inception in Cochrane almost 100 years ago, numerous people have contributed countless hours supporting the programs. With the help of many leaders, hundreds of volunteers have worked with our youth in Beaver Colonies, Cub Packs Scout Troop , and Venturer Companies to teach them many Scouting skills. As Scouting enters into its second century it is apparent that many more will continue to contribute to this wonderful program for the youth of our town. Many people consider these programs to develop life skills.
