Mackinac Island Honor Guard
Mackinac Island Honor Guard for Older Girl Scouts
During the summer, Mackinac Island is the host to many Scouts. These Honor Guards serve as the Mackinac Islands Governor’s Honor Guard. This program began in 1929, when the State Park Commission invited eight scouts to serve as honor guards for the Michigan Governor. In 1974 the program was expanded to include Girl Scouts. Scouts raise and lower the flags in the city and in the Fort, serve as guides in the historic buildings and fort, and complete a service project during their weeks stay.
Once on the Island, they stay in the Scout Barracks behind Fort Mackinac. The barrack houses a dining hall, kitchen, infirmary, leader’s room, bathroom Scout Coordinator’s room and bunk beds upstairs for the girls. Girls are divided into four patrols. Each day three patrols are on guide duty and the fourth works in the kitchen. The girls have some free time which they can explore the island. In the evenings the senior leadership has planned activities.
There are 3 groups currently within the boundaries of Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan with different weeks on Mackinac (see links below). Each of these groups has an application process which includes an informational meeting, an interview, and is followed by mandatory training dates leading up to the week on the island. This is not considered a troop activity. Girls should apply separately. Check the information on each of these groups to see if this is something you would like to explore further.
For information on the Grosse Pointe group click here.
For information on the Port Huron group click here. New dates!
For information on the Royal Oak group click here.