Zach Endres is a right-of-way specialist at Cherryland Electric Cooperative. It’s his responsibility to make sure that our power lines are clear of any potential hazards that could cause an outage—things like dangerous or overgrown trees and other vegetation. Considering Cherryland’s system consists of 1,600 miles of overhead line, that’s a lot to be responsible for. But Endres is pretty familiar with taking on big responsibilities thanks to the six years he dedicated to becoming an Eagle Scout.

“I started Boy Scouts in sixth grade,” said Endres. By the time he was a high school senior, he had earned the title of Eagle Scout thanks to dozens of merit badges, countless lessons and skills learned from trips and adventures with his troop, and his final community project—the last big hurdle to earning that esteemed title. Endres organized, promoted, and coordinated a project to build a 300-foot fence and eight benches throughout Mt. Holiday. You can even still see his name engraved on the fence today, 10 years later. Endres says his experience with the Scouts profoundly impacted his life, “I definitely learned a lot of lifelong skills from camping and survival to leadership. To have the opportunity to learn from that experience, I feel like it helped me become the man I am today.”

While each Scout has their own individual path, they all share an experience made possible by people like Ryan Kriesch. Kriesch works for Boy Scouts of America as field director, overseeing and providing leadership to three northwest Michigan Scout districts—Timber Trails, Scenic Trails, and Northern Lights. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Kriesch says they often rely on volunteers to make the program as special as it is. “Every level of the program needs [volunteers]. Everywhere from helping the local troops, being an assistant Scoutmaster, and helping them organize camping trips. Volunteers help us guide a successful program,” Kreisch said.

Jamie Callahan volunteers as the Scenic Trails District chair. “I started in Scouts as a youth here in Traverse City with Troop 35. Once I graduated college and moved back to Traverse City, I wanted to get involved and give back so that other kids could have the same experiences as I did,” he explained. And while his involvement started as a way to make sure the next generation could enjoy the same hikes, canoe trips, and camping adventures, Callahan says it’s so much more than that. “The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. If we can help our young boys and girls do that, we are helping make a better tomorrow,” Callahan said.

Since 1937, Cherryland’s service territory has produced 934 Eagle Scouts. We have those Scouts to thank for things like trail restoration at Interlochen Center for the Arts, a headstone preservation project at Oakwood Cemetery on Eighth Street in Traverse City, tree planting projects along Bowers Road in Benzie County, and of course, Endres’ project to add fencing and benches at Mt. Holiday. But those are just the tangible products of this program; what’s even greater are the Scouts who stayed in our communities to use their skills to make our area an amazing place to work, live, and play.

It’s not hard to see the value the Scouts program brings to northern Michigan. So if you’re a Scout, enjoyed your time with the Scouts, or really love what the program brings to our area for local kids and the community, Kriesch and Callahan say you should consider volunteering so the program can continue to thrive. Kriesch says you don’t need any experience in Scouting to get involved. “If somebody’s got an interest in serving young men and women, this is a program for them, and we can always find a way to get them involved,” he said.

Callahan said, “Some will compare volunteering to planting a tree we will never sit under. Those seedlings may be kids now, but they are tomorrow’s leaders. There are many different ways someone can volunteer for Scouting, including ones that don’t take up a lot of time.” That mindset helps boys and girls grow into impactful adults, like Endres. He says, “It’s definitely rewarding. I learned to be committed, to manage myself, and you just feel good that you stuck with something that long.”

To find a troop near you, click here. For more information on how to volunteer, contact Ryan Kriesch at [email protected].