What is a Klondike Derby ?
Usually all the traveling and the tests are performed on Saturday morning/afternoon and all of them are timed on a stop watch and count toward ribbons that are presented at the Saturday night camp fire.
When is a Klondike Derby ?
Klondike Derbies are usually held in January and February each year, when there is the best chance of having a good layer of snow on the ground. Sometimes mother nature doesn't supply the needed snow and the Scouts make do in the rain, mud, slush, or even on just frozen ground. The Scouts never know what they'll be working with until the weekend of the event, so they have to be prepared for anything. All BSA Councils hold there Kloondike Derby on different weekends. You can find some Klondike Derbies dates listed (during the fall & winter months) by clicking here on our Scouts NewEngland Outing Calendar. Hold down your right mouse button and select "Back" to return here.
Who can attend a Klondike Derby ?
Boys Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Explorer and Venture Scouts are the ones that this event is intended for. Sometimes Webelos Cub Scouts are invited to attend as the guest of a Boy Scout Troop or the BSA Council and stay for the day events. When Webelos compete, they usually do it against other Scouts their own age and use their own sled for their Den. The skills tests for Webelos are not usually as strenuous or difficult as what the older Scouts do, but it gives the younger Scouts a good idea of what to expect when they become Boy Scouts. Every BSA Council has their own rules for this event.
What kind of equipment do you need at a Klondike Derby ?
The Sled -- Every competing team (patrol/den) of Scouts needs a Klondike Derby Sled. The sleds are fashioned to look somewhat like Alaskan Dog Sleds. Some materials that are used include, plywood, 1x2's, 1x4's, 2x4's pine boards, old fiberglass and wood skis are sometimes used for the runners, sometimes PVC pipes are used to form the body of the sled, wooden dowels, old broom sticks and handles, wood screws, nuts and bolts, rope, etc... It's not recommend to use nails in the construction of the sled because they come loose under the stress/strain and banging the sleds take.
Clothing -- The Scouts also need good outdoor winter clothing, such as long johns (thermal underwear), gloves, hats, warm coats, multiple pairs of socks, good waterproof boots, rain gear, etc... basically to be prepared for a long cold weekend in cold, wet, snow. The best idea is to dress in layers, so that layers can be taken off when you're hot from working or more layers can be put on if you're cold.
KLONDIKE DERBY AWARD PATCHES
1994 Klondike Derby Award Patch
Greater Lowell Council, BSA, Chelmsford, MA
1995 Klondike Derby Award Patch
Greater Lowell Council, BSA, Chelmsford, MA
If you have more patches or awards for Klondike Derby that you can add to our Web site, then please e-mail the webmaster at sne@poboxes.com
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Last Revised 05-14-06
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