Making Memories
A history of the 5th Tillsonburg Alliance BPSC Born of a dream conceived in a cold
Tillsonburg Memorial Arena in the fall of 1992, in a meeting between Gord Collins
& Pastor Gerry Matthewson, the 5th Tillsonburg Alliance Group held its first meeting in
February of 1993 in the newly opened Tillsonburg Alliance Church.
The first meeting of the 5th Tillsonburg Alliance Beaver Colony commenced with an
excitement & enthusiasm that was later to become a trademark of the 5th Alliance.
Prior to this night the "dream" was put into motion with the energetic assistance of
former Scouter Hank Harley who was a member of the Board of Elders of the Alliance Church.
The very first meeting of the organizing committee with representatives
of Scouts Canada was held in Hank's home in November 1992. The Scouts Canada representatives
quickly persuaded the Alliance committee that we should accelerate our introduction of our
new group to fulfill an urgent need in Tillsonburg. The result was that the newly chartered
Coed 5th Group was introduced part way through the year as soon as the new Church Building
was ready for occupancy. The Beaver Colony was quickly followed the following September
by the Cub Pack, Scout Troop, and a small Venturer Company the following year.
The new group rapidly became successful in many ways:
| 1994: | The 5th Tillsonburg Alliance won a trophy for having the best Scout/Guide Float in the annual Tillsonburg Santa Clause Parade. |
| 1995: | One of our Scouts won an individual Silver Medal at the annual Rifle Competition sponsored by the Port Burwell Venturers. The same year, our Team won a Bronze Medal. |
| 1995: | The Group followed up its 1994 win with a back-2-back win in the 1995 Santa Clause Parade. |
| 1997: | Once again 5th Tillsonburg Alliance won the trophy for the third time in the Santa Clause Parade. |
| 1998: | Once again we were proud when one of our Scouts won the individual Gold Medal at the Port Burwell Rifle Competition. |
| 1998: | Our first Chief Scout Award presented to one of our Scouts during a ceremony in Woodstock. |
| 1999: | We were honoured by being chosen as the recipient of the "Peoples Choice Award" during the 2nd annual Tillsonburg Sausage Festival. |
| 1999: | Our Scout team won the Bronze Medal at the annual Port Burwell Rifle Competition. |
| 1999: | One of our Scouts won the "Most Improved" Medal at the Rifle Competition. |
| 1999: | Our Group won the "Best Scout Camp" Award at the annual Big Creek District Scout Camp at Port Burwell. |
| 2001: | Our Scout team once again won the Bronze medal at the Port Burwell Rifle Competition. |
| 2001: | Once again one of our Scouts was awarded the "Most Improved" Medal at the Rifle Competition. |
| 2001: | Seven of our Scouts were awarded the Chief Scout Award in Petrolia. |
| 2001: | Camp "Chirp Chirp" established near St. Williams. |
5th Tillsonburg Alliance has since its inception in 1993 been very successful in providing
a very well rounded program with an emphasis on outdoor activities. We have grown steadily
over the years as a result.
In June of 2002, our parents made a difficult decision. In light of rising
costs & other problems being experienced by Scouts Canada, our parents unanimously voted
to not renew our Charter with Scouts Canada. They furthermore decided to apply for a
Charter with the Baden-Powell Scouts Association, Council of Ontario.
September 3, 2002 was the first Registration Night of the newly Chartered
5th Tillsonburg Alliance Group BPSA. As of the date of writing this history, we have a
total of 40 youth members and 15 Leaders representing all sections (Otters, Timber Wolves,
Explorers, Sr. Explorers, and BP Rover Knights). We look forward to another ten years of
service to our youth members under our new Traditional Scouting Banner. Together our
Leadership Team will continue moving forward in our quest of "Making Memories".
June 2006 our name was changed to 5th Tillsonburg Alliance BPSC to reflect our new provincial name of BPSC Ontario.
Yours in Traditional Scouting,
Gord Collins
Group Founder
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