The Boy Scouts of Portland

The Boy Scouts of Portland are an asset to the community and they offer an opportunity for young people to enjoy themselves and to grow as individuals.

Bryan Gehrcke serves them as scoutmaster of Troop 129B.

“We currently have eighteen boys involved in Scouting,” said Bryan. “And we’ve had three recent Eagle scouts in our ranks. These include Eli Dakin, Matthew Simon, and my son Cooper Gehrcke. They’re all great kids.”

There are many advantages to being a Boy Scout.

“We take young boys and we help them to become the best young men that they can be,” said Bryan. “Our program involves much community service. It teaches boys to help others. It forms them into a good citizen of the community, of the country, and of the world.”

Bryan said that the Scouts learn self-reliance.

“We teach them how to overcome challenges,” he said. “We teach them to be responsible for themselves as well as for others. This helps form them into responsible adults.”

Much of this is achieved through interaction of the boys with the troop.

“I’m simply a coach,” said Bryan. “The boys themselves take on leadership roles within the group. One such role is that of the senior patrol leader. This is the head Scout. One of his duties is to direct the other Scouts into projects and into other activities. This role helps form a leader.”

The boys enjoy the projects and activities provided by Scouting.

“We recently went backpacking, and we often go canoeing,” said Bryan. “We’re planning a visit to a maritime museum in Muskegon and we recently visited the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. The Scouts enjoy these things and they often learn new things from their participation in these activities.”

Bryan said that Scouting is an important organization in many ways.

“Scouting gives a boy a place where he can belong, in a way in which he may not have elsewhere,” said Bryan. “It helps him to understand friendship and to make friends. It provides him with skills that he carries with him for the rest of this life.”

If a boy or parent is interested in Scouting, they may contact Bryan Gehrcke at portlandtroop129@gmail.com or by calling him at (517) 930-2596.