What is the MISST Troop 127?
MISST127 is a co-ed Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) service troop based in Lapeer, Michigan. The troop is sponsored by Troop 127 and is a contingent troop comprised of Scouts from many area troops. We serve on Mackinac Island, Michigan’s Summer Capital, and one of the most visited spots in America.
Our emphasis is on SERVICE. Our contingent has been selected to serve the State of Michigan as the Mackinac Island State Park’s Honor Guard and the people that visit the Fort and the Island. This places a heavy responsibility upon each Scout and adult leader's appearance, conduct and performance of our assigned duties. There will never be a better opportunity to exemplify the living of the Scout Oath and Law than our service week on Mackinac Island. This is a great opportunity to live the patrol method that Baden Powell envisioned when he started Scouting.
Why do we do what we do?
Our troop is made up of Scouts from Michigan Crossroads Council. The sponsoring troop is Troop 127 from Lapeer. They meet at the Trinity Methodist Church of Lapeer and are Chartered by the Lapeer Lions Club.
Where do the Scouts come from?
We are the “musical troop” and are able to have a Drum and Bugle Corps that plays patriotic songs from the fort and over Marquette Park to the downtown. There had not been a Drum and Bugle Corps for decades until our troop.
What is special about this troop?
Each Scout is required to learn the history of Mackinac Island and the surrounding area. While the Fort Mackinac is open, they help the fort staff at different posts serving as guides to the public and helping wherever needed.
During this time the Scouts use their leadership skills and knowledge learned during the training period. The Scouts learn many historical facts about the island during training and will be using this information to share with others. They will be developing their communication skills. They will have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.
The Scouts raise and lower the flags morning and night. The flags go up simultaneously and it is a beautiful site. They go down in the same manner. Each patrol also does a service project and a patrol cleans Marquette Park each day. All of this service helps them become better citizens and helps teach responsibility and civic duty.
What do the Scouts do on the island?
This program started in August of 1929 with the Boy Scouts of America. Girl Scout programs were added in 1974. The first contingents were made up of Eagle Scouts. Now any Michigan Scout can go with an existing Troop. Since Scouting America has become co-ed, Troop 127 was the first troop to go to the Island as a co-ed troop.
President Gerald R. Ford was in the first troop to serve in this program. He was 16 years old and an Eagle Scout.