Editing Scouting in Michigan (section)

===Mackinac Island Honor Guard Program===
[[Image:ladyliberty mackinacisland.jpg|180px|thumb|One of the 200 [[Replicas of the Statue of Liberty#United States|Lady Liberty statues]] donated by the [[Boy Scouts of America]] is located on Michigan’s [[Mackinac Island]] in historic Haldimand Bay. ]]

The [[Mackinac Island Governor's Honor Guard]] (Mackinac Island Honor Scouts) program is one of the few elite programs of its kind. Starting in 1929, a select group of eight [[Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)|Eagle Scouts]] from across the state, including young [[Gerald Ford]], to serve as [[Guard of honour|honor guard]]s in Fort Mackinac. In 1934, as a Civilian Conservation Corps project, Scout Barracks were built just outside the fort walls. The service camp has been known by many names. Originally, it was named to honor the Governor of Michigan at the time. It was also known as the Mackinac Island Eagle Scout Honor Guard until it was opened up to scouts of all ranks. In 1974, the program was expanded to include Girl Scouts. Similar programs are the Utah National Parks Council Honor Guard and Greater Niagara Frontier Council Honor Guard.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-25 |title=Boyhood troop of Gerald Ford and Roger Chaffee turns 100 |url=https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2018/01/25/boyhood-troop-of-president-gerald-ford-and-astronaut-roger-chaffee-turns-100/}}</ref>

The program is popular, selective, and a long-standing tradition. Scouts raise and lower twenty-six flags on the island, serve as guides, and complete volunteer service projects during their stay. 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scout Coordinator |url=http://www.mackinacparks.com/employment/scout-coordinator}}</ref>

A unique tie that Scouting has with Mackinac Island can be seen overlooking the Mackinac Island harbor. The Mackinac Island Statue of Liberty replica was dedicated in 1950 by the Boy Scouts of America. The statue is one of 200 donated by the BSA in 1950 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Scouting. The program was called [[Strengthen the Arm of Liberty]] and the Mackinac statue is the only one located in Michigan. Due to the unique role that BSA Scouts play on Mackinac Island during the summer, the statue is a lasting testament to the island’s scouting heritage. The statue was restored by the Mackinac Island American Legion in 2013 and was rededicated on July 4, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mackinac Island Governor's Honor Guard – Fundraiser Patch Sale |url=http://www.michiganscouting.org/WaterAndWoods/News/MackinacPatchFundraiser |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302012535/http://www.michiganscouting.org/WaterAndWoods/News/MackinacPatchFundraiser |archive-date=2 March 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Between Memorial Day and Labor day, the island is the summer home to 14 scout troops. Of the six Girl Scout troops, one is from Michigan Shore to Shore Council, two from Heart of Michigan Council, and three from Southeastern Michigan Council. Of the eight BSA councils, [[Bay-Lakes Council]], [[Southern Shores Field Service Council]], and [[Great Lakes Field Service Council]] all provide one troop, [[President Gerald R. Ford Field Service Council]] is home to two units, while [[Water and Woods Field Service Council]] has three honor troops.