OUR TEAM WAS FOUNDED IN 1944

In December 1944, Ewing Young Explorer Troop #631 was founded and chartered in Portland by Donald Stow Sr. This original organization had no Search & Rescue ties, but was a simple Explorer organization as an extension of traditional Boy Scouts. 631 was the number chosen by the team in honor of the hull number for the SS Ewing Young, a liberty ship built in 1942. The original organization thrived, and moved about the city over the decades. Eventually landing at David Douglas Highschool as a bagpiping organization.

In 1960, a search took place for a young boy near the Bear Paw Forest Camp on Mt Hood. A call was put out to Boy Scouts and similar teams capable of searching the wilderness, Post 631 answered the call. Shortly after that, the mission statement and path of the organization altered forever with a complete focus on Search & Rescue related activities. Over the past 60+ years of SAR, thousands of members have come through the ranks of this post. Explorer Post 631 has evolved to one of the premier SAR teams in the pacific northwest, and among the oldest continually operating teams in the region. Dozens of fellow teams have been formed and dissolved in the region while we continue strong. With our Explorer Post roots, dedication to the development of youth members of our community remains part of the bedrock foundation of the organization. In the early 2000’s the Explorer Post was dissolved, finalizing our separation from Boy Scouts of America. We briefly adopted the name Northwest Oregon Search & Rescue before ultimately forming Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (MCSOSAR). The organization we are today has changed significantly from our origins, but we steadfastly maintain a dedication and focus to youth development.