Our History

The Founding of Niagara District

(various District ensignia used through the ages in Niagara)

On March 25, 1935, citizens of Niagara Falls, Stamford and Chippawa met at St. Patrick's Parish Hall and resolved:

"That, as representative citizens of the City of Niagara Falls, the Township of Stamford and the town of Chippawa, interested in the Boy Scout program for boys, we organize ourselves into a duly constituted Local Association for the purpose of carrying on and developing the work of the Boy Scouts in this area under the name of the Boy Scouts Association, Niagara Falls District"

The Early Years

(1st Drummond Scout Troop, circa 1910)

Scouting in Canada started, unofficially in 1908 and many troops began forming quickly in this country. The 1st Drummond (Niagara) Scout Troop is believed to have formed in July of 1910. It received the first charter issued to a Scout group in Niagara Falls, dated Jan. 12, 1912.   The troop attended the opening of the Canadian National Exhibition by Lord Baden-Powell when he was on his first tour of Canada and the U.S.

In 1916, the Wolf Cub program was introduced.  In 1918, the Rover and Sea Scouts were formed. 

The Middle Years

In 1935, the year that B.P. paid his last visit to Canada, was a big year for Niagara Scouting.  In addition to the creation of what is now the Niagara District council in March, the 1st Niagara Scout Troop officially opened their new home at Leeming St. Scout Hut in April. 

In two world wars, Scouts really proved their worth by collecting tons of paper, rubber and scrap metal, raised money for British war victims and working for the Red Cross.  Many Scouts and Scouters served as soldiers, sailors and airmen, and many lost their lives.

In 1948, the Queenston Scout Camp was opened on land owned by the Niagara Parks Commission.  It provided many years of happy camping for local and visiting Scouts as well as training for adult Scouters.   Faced with serious and ever increasing vandalism in later years, the Scout Council reluctantly closed the facility in 1979.  Also in 1948, Niagara District opened its first office at the George Newport warehouse on Zimmerman Ave.  A year later it became an employing council and the first Scout Executive was Wally Harpur.  In 1952, the office moved to Gladstone Ave.

8th World Jamboree, 1955

The official crest of the 8th World Jamboree
''New Horizons'' 1955
Jamborees are Scout gatherings of extended duration.  They can be regional, national, international or world events.   World Jamborees are held for ten summer days every four years.  For those fortunate enough to attend, especially a World Jamboree, it is an adventure of a lifetime.   Only 2 have been held in Canada, the 8th in 1955 at Niagara-on-the-Lake and the 15th in 1983 at Kananaskis Country near Calgary.

The local Scout community is proud of the fact that Niagara was the host district for the first ever World Jamboree held outside Europe.  A large contingent of District Scouts joined 10,000 others from all over the world, and formed the Guard of Honour for Governor General Vincent Massey when he arrived.   The troop leader appointed for the Niagara Contingent was Scout Tony Roberts of the 2nd Niagara Troop, now serving on our District Council
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pictures of Scouts from around the world attending the
8th World Jamboree in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Click here to see more pictures of the Jamboree

The Later Years

In 1960, Lord Baden-Powell, son of the founder, visited Niagara District during a North American tour celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Boy Scouts of America.

In June 1962, a 21 acre property at Kalar and McLeod roads was officially named Baden-Powell Park and dedicated in the presence of a large contingent of Scouting members.  This park was used extensively for the District outdoors activities until its popularity was superseded by the larger Grassy Brooks Park, acquired by the City of Niagara Falls in the mid 1970's.

In 1963, a Scout Centre was built at 4377 Fourth Ave. financed by the community on land donated by Cyanamid of Canada.  In 1973, an extension was made to accommodate a large storeroom.  A Scout Shop was opened at that location in 1977.

1968 marked the introduction of Venturers for senior Scouts and in 1972, Beavers were created for the youngest members of Scouting.  The first Beaver Colony in Niagara District was formed in 1974 at the 24th Niagara Group.