About
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Cedarville was the first home of the ISR
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Coming: All previous years and their themes
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History of the International Scout Rally
The International Scout Rally (ISR) was started the second week in September 1987 by Troop 140 of
Cedarville and their sponsor the Lions Club of Les Cheneaux. The theme for the first camp was Rekindle the
Spirit of Scouts. There were about 75 Scouts attending and one troop from Canada. Factoid: Troop 140 is
affectionately nicknamed, “The Black Sheep Troop”, because of their distance & location from the rest of the
then, Hiawathaland Council.
The spot chosen for this first event was the former Bay City Lake State Forest Campground. This campground
was closed as a State of Michigan campground about 1970, due to vandalism. When there, if you look about,
you can still find cement capped wells and campfire pits.
The original committee was Dale Streichert, Cynthia & Robert Smith, and Roy Dutcher, all from Troop 140.
The first prizes were handmade Snoopy Scout pillows, all won by Troop 105 and Cub Scout Pack 104.
Dale Streichert and John Kenn have been a part of the rally since the beginning. Dale has missed 4 rallies
while on duty out of the country for the National Guard, and one at Mayo Hospital. John had not missed any
until 2019, when his health was failing. John left us in August of 2023 and is with us, smiling in spirit!
The second year, the number jumped to over 250 with representatives from Hiawatha Land and Scenic Trails
Councils, plus more from Sault Ste. Marie MI & Ontario, Canada. Several camp staff from Camp Hiawatha joined
us as well as Judy Izzard and Herb Melcher. Prizes were made by each participating unit. The third year, Girl
Scout and Girl Guide units were made a part and the number grew to over 500.
From then on, the number of units and activities grew accordingly. Starting in year 4, camping gear was
purchased for awards, with the top prize being a Coleman camp kitchen. In past years, we have had over 30
events and prizes totaling over $8,500.
Each year, any youth can design a patch and theme for the next year. A committee of this year’s winning unit
picks a theme for the following year as suggested by an attending unit. If accepted by the committee, their unit
attends free, and their initials are put on the patch/crest.
The American & Canadian flags that flew over the rally are presented. A Canadian unit is presented the
American flag and an American unit the Canadian flag. Also, a special award, The Black Sheep, is given to
an outstanding unit, rotating between Canadian & American units. The Sheep resides and travels with that unit
for one year until the next Rally. In 2017, Baby Steve joined Mama Black Sheep!
Beginning in 1990, the rally dance was started and has been a big hit ever since. The adults have enjoyed a
“mug up” ever since the first rally. In 1991, the winning theme and unit for the following year was announced
and each year this is a highlight of the camp closing .
Dutch Oven Cooking competition was added for both Adults and Youths, with Main Course and Dessert
categories for both. Judy Izzard and Herb Melcher, judged the Dutch Oven Competition for many years, and
published many of the recipes sampled at the Rally. The Dutch Oven Cooking Competition, since Herb’s
passing, is now named in honor of them. For some, this is another rally highlight, in addition to the cookbooks!
In 2015, the Rally was moved to the Wilwin Lodge grounds at Trout Lake. Due to a great abundance of rain,
the Bay City Lake levels lost most of the shoreline campsites, including the staff kitchen, headquarters,
registration & parade grounds area. The Legion and Wilwin Lodge welcomed the Scouts and were proud to
host the ISR event. In 2017, Wilwin Lodge property was “traded/sold” with another property owned by a
sandstone mining company, and moved downstate near GayLord. The American Legion Wilwin Lodge still
serves as a retreat opportunity today for veterans & their families upon returning home from duty. The mining
company allowed the Rally to continue until 2019 when they began operations. In 2020, the Rally was
cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. In 2021, the Rally was moved to the Chippewa County Fairgrounds
where it is still held today.
Cedarville and their sponsor the Lions Club of Les Cheneaux. The theme for the first camp was Rekindle the
Spirit of Scouts. There were about 75 Scouts attending and one troop from Canada. Factoid: Troop 140 is
affectionately nicknamed, “The Black Sheep Troop”, because of their distance & location from the rest of the
then, Hiawathaland Council.
The spot chosen for this first event was the former Bay City Lake State Forest Campground. This campground
was closed as a State of Michigan campground about 1970, due to vandalism. When there, if you look about,
you can still find cement capped wells and campfire pits.
The original committee was Dale Streichert, Cynthia & Robert Smith, and Roy Dutcher, all from Troop 140.
The first prizes were handmade Snoopy Scout pillows, all won by Troop 105 and Cub Scout Pack 104.
Dale Streichert and John Kenn have been a part of the rally since the beginning. Dale has missed 4 rallies
while on duty out of the country for the National Guard, and one at Mayo Hospital. John had not missed any
until 2019, when his health was failing. John left us in August of 2023 and is with us, smiling in spirit!
The second year, the number jumped to over 250 with representatives from Hiawatha Land and Scenic Trails
Councils, plus more from Sault Ste. Marie MI & Ontario, Canada. Several camp staff from Camp Hiawatha joined
us as well as Judy Izzard and Herb Melcher. Prizes were made by each participating unit. The third year, Girl
Scout and Girl Guide units were made a part and the number grew to over 500.
From then on, the number of units and activities grew accordingly. Starting in year 4, camping gear was
purchased for awards, with the top prize being a Coleman camp kitchen. In past years, we have had over 30
events and prizes totaling over $8,500.
Each year, any youth can design a patch and theme for the next year. A committee of this year’s winning unit
picks a theme for the following year as suggested by an attending unit. If accepted by the committee, their unit
attends free, and their initials are put on the patch/crest.
The American & Canadian flags that flew over the rally are presented. A Canadian unit is presented the
American flag and an American unit the Canadian flag. Also, a special award, The Black Sheep, is given to
an outstanding unit, rotating between Canadian & American units. The Sheep resides and travels with that unit
for one year until the next Rally. In 2017, Baby Steve joined Mama Black Sheep!
Beginning in 1990, the rally dance was started and has been a big hit ever since. The adults have enjoyed a
“mug up” ever since the first rally. In 1991, the winning theme and unit for the following year was announced
and each year this is a highlight of the camp closing .
Dutch Oven Cooking competition was added for both Adults and Youths, with Main Course and Dessert
categories for both. Judy Izzard and Herb Melcher, judged the Dutch Oven Competition for many years, and
published many of the recipes sampled at the Rally. The Dutch Oven Cooking Competition, since Herb’s
passing, is now named in honor of them. For some, this is another rally highlight, in addition to the cookbooks!
In 2015, the Rally was moved to the Wilwin Lodge grounds at Trout Lake. Due to a great abundance of rain,
the Bay City Lake levels lost most of the shoreline campsites, including the staff kitchen, headquarters,
registration & parade grounds area. The Legion and Wilwin Lodge welcomed the Scouts and were proud to
host the ISR event. In 2017, Wilwin Lodge property was “traded/sold” with another property owned by a
sandstone mining company, and moved downstate near GayLord. The American Legion Wilwin Lodge still
serves as a retreat opportunity today for veterans & their families upon returning home from duty. The mining
company allowed the Rally to continue until 2019 when they began operations. In 2020, the Rally was
cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. In 2021, the Rally was moved to the Chippewa County Fairgrounds
where it is still held today.