By Kimberly Gasuras
CCN Reporter
BUCYRUS — Seventeen-year-old Jerimiah Rush and 15-year-old Micah Graves were preparing to do a ride-along with Bucyrus Police Department officers as part of their experience as members of the Bucyrus Police Explorers Post 229.
“It’s a lot of fun and we are learning so much,” Graves said.
The pair are two of the 13 members of the group.
“We have all boys in the group, currently, but girls can join and we encourage them to do so,” said the leader of the organization, Bucyrus Police Lt. Tom Walker.
Walker said plans to form the Explorers group in Crawford County began in 2015.
“We had our kick-off in January of 2017,” Walker said.
The group operates on donations from local churches, business, organizations and individuals.
“Our group is open to all youth in the entire county, not just Bucyrus,” Walker said. “As a matter of fact, we have several members from Galion and Crestline.”
Youth ages 13 to 21 years old are eligible to join the group.
“Currently, our members are from 14 to 18 years old,” Walker said.
The money donated to the group is mainly used for the annual Ohio Law Enforcement Explorer Competition.
“Our members did great at the competition,” Walker said.
Rush said he enjoyed competing.
“I learned so much and have made so many friends through the Explorers,” Rush said.
The Explorers completed tests in categories such as the air-soft competition, first aid/officer down and traffic crash investigations.
Walker said the cost for the current 13 members of the Explorers to attend the competition is about $5,000.
“We would like to have more Explorer members and accept donations throughout the year,” Walker said.
Both Rush and Graves said they recommend joining the Explorers to other local youth.
“You make so many friends, learn about leadership and teamwork and so much more,” Graves said.
To donate or for more information, call the Bucyrus Police Department at 419-562-1006 or visit the Explorers’ Facebook page.