Mackinac Island Honor Troop 168
Port Huron, MI
Dear Scouts and Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to Troop 168's 45th year of service as the Governor's Honor Guard on Mackinac Island! Our first Troop meeting will be held on January 12th at the Port Huron American Legion Hall from 12:00pm - 4:00pm. The hall is located at 6th and Wall Streets in Port Huron.
The selection process for Scouts wishing to be a member of Mackinac Island Honor Troop 168 is consistent with the process used in prior years. Scouts who were members in a prior year are selected first and have the right-of-first refusal should they wish to defer to a future year. Some Scouts who were members in a prior year may be required to attend an interview process depending on the level of their performance in the previous year. If additional Scouts are needed to fill the Troop, First Class Scouts and those Scouts with higher ranks will have priority followed by lower ranking Scouts in order of decreasing rank. All potential new Scouts will be required to attend an interview process with the Troop's SPL and two adult leaders at the January meeting. Each new Scout is required to bring their Boy Scout Handbook to the interview process. Please understand, Troop 168 is an Elite BSA Honor Troop whose purpose is to perform honor guard duty, guide duty, State of Michigan service projects, and community service work on Mackinac Island under the rules and regulations established by the State of Michigan. Only the most qualified Scouts demonstrating age maturity, honorable Scout qualities, and leadership skills are invited to attend.
The dates for this year's duty week are July 12th thru July 19th, 2025 The total cost to attend is $240.00, excluding the cost for uniforms, gear, spending money, etc. You must bring your completed application to the first meeting in January. The application must be entirely completed and signed by your parent/guardian AND your home Troop Scoutmaster including your initial deposit of eighty dollars ($80). The deposit is refundable for new Scouts who do not pass the interview process.
In preparation for this year's week of service, there will be at least one Troop meeting per month through June. The Troop's pancake breakfast and bake sale fund raiser will be held in April. Attendance at all meetings and the April fundraiser is mandatory. As a Troop, we must organize ourselves, get to know each other, learn conduct expectations and procedures, learn to work together, learn duty stations, and learn to march and raise/lower flags uniformly and distinctly as a Troop before we arrive on the Island.
Meeting Dates Payment Schedule
Jan 12, 12:00 - 3:30pm, PH American Legion $80 payment due
Feb 9, 12:00 - 3:30pm, PH American Legion $80 payment due
Mar 16, 12:00pm - 3:30pm, PH American Legion $80 payment due
Apr 6, 12:00pm - 3:30pm, PH American Legion
Apr 30, 6am-10am (Shift 1), 10am-2pm (Shift 2), Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale at the PH American Legion
May 18, 12:00 - 3:30pm Marysville American Legion, Uniform for Shake Down Inspection
Jun 8, 12:00 - 3:30pm, Marysville American Legion
The Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale is the Troop's only fund-raising activity. Each Scout is required to sell 10 Pancake Breakfast tickets. All Scouts are required to participate on the day of the breakfast and must contribute at least one baked good item to the Bake Sale.
We look forward to an exciting week of service on Mackinac Island and look forward to having you attend!
Yours in Scouting,
Rob Rutkofske, Scoutmaster, MIHT 168
4586 Bricker Rd | Avoca, MI 48054 | (810)304-3122 | email: robr838795@gmail.com
Mackinac Island Honor Troop 168 is based out of Port Huron, Michigan and serves as Governor’s Honor Guard and Fort Mackinac Guides for a week each summer. Founded in 1981, the Troop has allowed more than 1,500 Boy Scouts from Michigan to experience the thrill of accomplishment and community service while serving at the Mackinac Island Scout Service Camp.
MISSION STATEMENT
To serve the State of Michigan, the Governor, the community of Mackinac Island, and the Island’s tourists and visitors.
To uphold the highest Duty, Respect, and Honor of the Troop.
To have the highest standards of appearance, conduct, and performance of duty.
To treat the Scout Barracks as our house and the Island our home; we will take care of all as we would our own.
To mature and have fun.
The scouting program’s mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral decisions over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Many young men learn the value of leadership and service as members of Mackinac Island Honor Troop #168.Our troop has it’s own saying, “Duty, Respect, and Honor”, representingour duty to Mackinac Island State Park, respect towards our country, andthe honor that comes with being the Governor’s Honor Guard.
MACKINAC ISLAND SCOUT SERVICE CAMP INFORMATION
Scout barracks on Mackinac Island.
Boy Scouts began serving as the “Governor’s Honor Guard” on Mackinac Island 80 years ago. In 1929, the Vice Chairman of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission obtained approval authorizing the appointment of eight Eagle Scouts as the first honor guard in Fort Mackinac. Future president Gerald Ford was a member of this inaugural group of Scouts. Joining him were fellow Eagles from across the state, including Joe McIntosh from Port Huron.
Scouts Returning from Flag Duty
When the first group of Scouts reached Mackinac Island, they stayed in the Fort Mackinac Barracks. In 1934, as a Civilian Conservation Corps project, Scout Barracks were built just outside the fort walls. In 1974, the program was expanded to include Girl Scouts. Port Huron area boys began serving on the island starting in 1981.
Duties on the island include raising and lowering flags each day, serving downtown and in Fort Mackinac as guides, and doing a variety of service projects to better Mackinac Island State Park. Lodging is at the Scout Barracks located behind Fort Mackinac. However, it is not all work and no play. Scouts keep themselves occupied by playing games and working on merit badges at the barracks or exploring what the island has to offer. There is always something to do on Mackinac Island!
Scouting Information
Scouting America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.
Locally, the Michigan Crossroads Council serves scouts in lower Michigan. Troop 168 is located within in the Blue Water District of the Water and Woods Field Service Council. For information on the scouting program in Michigan, visit http://www.michiganscouting.org.
For over a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through over a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.
