Third brother earns high-ranking scout status
Karen Peterson
Michael Koehler
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RONAN – Millions of young people participate in the Boy Scouts of America program each year but only about six percent of them earn the Eagle Scout rank, which makes 18-year-old Michael Koehler of Ronan one of the few.
Michael recently finished all the requirements needed to attain the distinguished status, which included a large community- based project. As he neared completion, the clock was ticking. He had to finish by his 18th birthday or all the work he did wouldn’t count. Along with the project, he had to do things like show leadership within his troop by running meetings, which included helping younger scouts during a camping trip.
For his project, Michael put a concrete slab in under a gazebo in Ronan’s Bockman Park, located off Buchanan Street. He chose this project because his brother, Daniel Koehler, did the work needed to get a picnic table built in the same space. Daniel became an Eagle Scout in 2016
“I wanted to add more detail to the project my brother started,” Michael said.
The Koehler bunch has not two, but three Eagle Scouts in the family. Brother Andrew Koehler is also an Eagle Scout. Andrew earned the rank in 2015 by organizing a project to have two bright-orange benches put in along the walking and bike path located next to U.S. Highway 93.
Michael had a lot of work to do before his project was finished, including fundraising. He gathered $3,600 in donations from Lake County businesses and by selling candy.
Michael continued to show his leadership skills by going to city council meetings to talk about his project and get approval. He learned what it’s like to hire a professional concrete laying company and said the project taught him how to manage time and get things done. “You have to be organized to do a project like this,” he said. “It also teaches you to be responsible.”
In November, Michael watched as the project wrapped up, and a picnic table was placed on the solid concrete slab. The finished project gave him a sense of pride. He said the city will eventually put in a small ramp from one corner edge of the concrete to the parking area.
In February, Michael and his family will travel to Helena for an awards ceremony where he will report to the Governor about the details of the project. The Eagle Scout rank is the highest rank and the last thing Michael did as a member of Boy Scout Troop 940. Once a scout turns 18, they are aged out. He has been a Scout for 12 years at different levels.
“I recommend that people join,” he said. “It was a great experience. You can meet new people, make friends, learn teamwork and visit different countries. We got to go to Canada.”
Troop Master Gary Greiff watched the three brothers achieve scouting accomplishments in the past few years. “It’s amazing when kids get the Eagle Scout award,” Greiff said. “It’s a lot of work. The military even recognizes the effort by putting people with it in a higher rank if they join. It’s even more amazing that three brothers have it.”
