The 1st Maxville Scout Group traces its origins back to the year 1929 when it was granted charter number 794. A strong committee was organized under the chairmanship of R.G. Jamieson, a Maxville merchant. Other members were Dr. W.B. McDiarmid, Mrs. F.L. McMillan, Dr. J.T. O’Hara, and Hormidas Lapierre, Sr. Rev. H. Saunders, Baptist minister, was the group’s chaplain. The application for the charter was signed on behalf of a group of citizens by former member of Parliament and Maxville resident, J.W. Kennedy. By the end of April, 1930, the committee was reorganized and was known afterwards as the Local Association of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides.

The first Maxville troop was organized on November 21, 1929. William Sutherland was the first Scoutmaster. He was 24 years of age and had one year of scouting experience as a member of the short-lived 1st Finch Troop that was formed in 1920. Sutherland was a teacher at the Maxville Public School and taught Sunday School at the Presbyterian Church. The Assistant Scoutmaster was Hugh Christie. By the time that the troop registration was sent to Toronto in March 1930, there were 12 members. Initially there were three patrols under the leadership of Cameron Cluff, Bernard Madden and Adrien St. Louis. The original patrol leaders were the older members and they were soon taking an active role in instructing the younger boys. The Glengarry News reported that in April 1930, Madden was teaching signaling while St. Louis and Cluff instructed first aid and knotting. The first camp took place at Lake St. Francis under Sutherland’s supervision.

By March 1930, a Cub Pack had already been active for several weeks. The Pack proved to be a resourceful and useful addition to the group. During the second year, John Mallet, a Rover Scout from Plymouth, England, who had been involved in Scouting since 1923, was an Assistant Scoutmaster. There were seven Scouts with Fred Lagroix being the leader of the Beaver Patrol and Hormidal Lapierre was the leader of the Whip-poor-will Patrol. In the Cub Pack, there was a total of 14 boys with Cleary Villeneuve (Red Fang) and Francis Fyke (White Claw) as sixers. There was also a Cub Pack at Loch Garry that was associated with the Maxville group. The Cubmaster was Miss Ruth McDonald. The year came to an end in June with the visit of Field Commissioner E.T. Jones to the Scouts and Cubs. Jones had accompanied the Canadian contingent to the 1929 World Jamboree in England. The story of this early group describes the origins of the charter of the modern Maxville group. The group is unusual because it brought under a single organization both the Scouts and Guides. However, John Mallett, who might have kept the group going, returned to England. W.S. Sutherland resigned and moved away from Maxville. With his departure, Scouting disappeared from Maxville.

In 1954, Scouts came alive again under the revived charter #794. J. Clatworthy was Scoutmaster with B. Fitzgerald and Donald Ferguson as his assistants. Barry Fitzgerald became Scoutmaster in 1955 and continued as such until Dr. John F. Mutch took over in 1960. Garry Quart and Chris Walton were his assistants for a few years. In 1966, Donald McKercher, Sheldon Robertson and Arnold Munro became involved. Some other names of those involved from 1968 to 1973 were Gary Ivens, Robert Gilroy, Andrew Duhaime, Robert Tessier, Ewen Munro and Gordon Winter. For a few years at this time, the Loch Garry school house was owned by the Scout Committee. The grounds were used for camping and the building for storage. However, after several break-ins, the property was sold for $400 and is the site of a fine residence now. Paul Deveau, O.P.P., Brian Quart, and Ray Hughes were in charge of Scouts from 1973-1975. There was a short absence from Maxville in 1976-77 when the Scouts moved to Dunvegan. Ken Birtch, O.P.P., revived this section in 1978 and continued until Don Williamson became Scoutmaster in 1980. Don stayed with the section until 1989 when Paul Hauck took charge with assistance from various parents including Gerald Swift, Carolyn and Chantal Marenger , JC Cadieux and most recently Jason Birch.

The first two Queen Scouts in Maxville were James Munro and Gary Quart. Three other Scouts achieved their Queen Scout Awards later – Sheldon Robertson in 1963, Gordon McKercher in 1965-66 and Ewen Munro in 1970-71. During the 80’s, six Scouts received their Chief Scout Awards under Don Williamson’s leadership. They were William Nixon, Ralph Williamson, Thomas Van Loon, Dale Crites, Scott Williamson and Sean Milne. These awards were presented in Ottawa, then in Kingston for the latter three boys. In the 90's we had one chief Scout James who received his award in Ottawa. The troop has not been operational for the years 2003-2004 as not enough youth were interested and a chronic shortage of leaders. At the end of the 2003 Scouting year another attempt was made to start up a Scout troop and although smalll in numbers we make up for it in enthusiasm and community involvement which the Cub Pack helps out with at times.

We have been represented at national and international events with Scouts and Venturers from Maxville attending the Canadian Jamboree in Kananaskis, Alberta in 1981, Guelph, Ontario in 1985, Charlottetown, P.E.I., in 1989, Kananaskis, Alberta in 1993, Thunder Bay, Ontario in 1997 and Camp Tamaracouta in 2007. Queen’s Scout Sheldon Robertson attended the World Jamboree in Greece.

Dr. John Mutch revived cubs in Maxville in 1955. Later, in 1960, G. Quart, Gilles Doth, and Arnold Munro got involved in the leadership. Various people came forth to help out from then to the present time. Some of them would include John Filliol, Douglas Munroe, Robert Tessier, Paul Deveau, Rheal Bissonette and Ann Stewart. More recently leaders involved have been Beth Williamson, Martial Brabant, Mona Brabant, Val Andre, Cindy Hauck, Paul Hauck, Ben Williams, Colleen landry, Joe van Loon and Dan O'Flaherty. This section continues to have the largest number of boys compared to Scouts, Beavers and Venturers.

Speaking of Beavers, they started in Maxville in 1981 and continue to the present. Leaders involved were Francine Cadieux, Susan and Joe Stelmach, Lise Lafleur, Neil McIntosh, Heather McIntosh, Sandy McGourt, Joe van Loon, Stephanie van Loon, Ghyslaine Smeall, Cindy Hauck, Ann Stewart, Valerie Andre, Leo Tavormina and JC Cadieux.

Don Williamson started older Scouts, known as Venturers, in Maxville in 1982 which were continued by Cindy and Paul Hauck. The last company ceased operation in 2000 and we currently do not have Venturers.

Every Scout group needs a strong well-organized Group Committee. Lucia Jasiewicz, Joanne MacLennan, Doreen Crites, Lise Lafleur, Betty McIntosh, Beth Williamson, Willie Gillingham, Mary Lou Swift, Ann Stewart, Sal Andre and Sharon Thaler contributed many hours of their time to make sure that a good solid program was in place. A group charter can only exist if there is a sponsor to carry it. In 1929-31, a committee of parents held it. From 1952 to 1969, no records have been located. However, from 1969-1974 the charter was held by the Maxville Board of Trade. Then in 1974 the Lions’ Club became the sponsoring body.

The 1st Maxville Group is now part of the Stormont-Glengarry Area of the Voyageur Council. Originally Maxville was in the Eastern Counties District until 1974 when the district name was changed to Cornwall District. In 1978 this was renamed to the Stormont-Glengarry District. Scouts Canada has been experiencing a membership decline over the past few years and we underwent a major organisational change hence the change to areas.

Just as a point of interest, the Apple Hill Scout Camp was acquired by our District in 1962, and continues to provide a place for scouting activities during the entire year.

R. Donald Williamson, original author of this article, wishes to thank John Witham, the past District Commissioner and local individuals for providing information. Updates to our history were done by Paul Hauck with assistance from Ann Stewart.

Today, the movement in Maxville is growing with membership in excess of 35 youth!

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