Manning the Wasco Fair gates

He said the troop has cleaned up rodeo grounds, ushered people to their seats at public events, posted the national colors at patriotic services and been engaged in other community outreach, but never for such long hours as the fair will require.

The troop will be on duty from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. each of the four days.

“It’s going to be a busy time,” said Sherry Mumford, grandmother of Rilan Tepoel, a scout member.

He will join seven other scouts on the front lines of fair duty. Also at the gate will be: Joe Crisman (working on his Eagle Scout Badge, the highest and last decoration he will earn); Darian Davis, who serves as senior patrol leader; Aaron Treichel, Trevor West; Gavenn Lohrey; Christian Villegas; and Andrew Richman.

Last week, the troop met to go over their job duties and, as at every gathering in the basement of the Mid-Columbia Senior Center, they posted the national colors and said the Pledge of Allegiance.

They also recited the Boy Scout Oath: “On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

Also an inherent part of meetings is a discussion of current events since scouts are encouraged to be actively engaged in civic matters.

The older scouts teach the younger about emergency preparedness and other topics that will help them earn some of the more than 100 merit badges.

Areas of study range from chemistry to basketry and environmental science to archery.

For more information on Troop 395, call 541-300-9054.