By Brandi Makuski

A new Explorers Post is coming to the Village of Plover.

AutoSense of Plover is currently taking applications for what will become the area’s fourth such program. The Explorers program was first devised by the Boy Scouts of America — but is open to boys and girls ages 15 and up through its Learning for Life program.

The new post will have several elements, according to owner Clark Collins, teaching multiple aspects of vehicle maintenance, as well as business sales and marketing.

“We’ll teach them skills they can build on, things that allow a dealership to function,” Collins said. “When you think about it, the things about mechanics do to a vehicle — people’s lives are riding on that, literally.”

Similar in nature to the Stevens Point Fire Department’s Explorers Program, as well as the Plover Police Department’s Explorers Post, and a new post still forming at Ellis Construction.

The program costs $24 per year for each student, pro-rated at a cost of $2 per month, and while participants can expect to get dirty, no uniforms are required.

“We’ll have cars set up for them to work on,” Collins said. “It’s going to be a little more advanced than just changing a tire; these are skills they can take with them in the real world.”

The post will need a minimum of five students to get started, Collins said, and is scheduled to kickoff in May. The group will meet one evening per month.

Applications are available at AutoSense, 1745 Park Ave. in Plover. The dealership is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9 AM to 8 PM; Tuesdays and Fridays 9 AM to 6 PM; and Saturdays 9 AM to 3 PM.

For more information call 715-544-1571.