A Winter (Snow) Camping and Outdoor Skills competition
Klondike Derby is a Scouting Winter Skills and Camping event, held every winter in the snow. Sometimes it involves an overnight campout and multiple Camporee type competitions, where Teams compete against each other. Each Team uses a Dog Type sled that uses Scout power to pull it instead of dogs. The Teams pull the sleds that are loaded with their personal and patrol equipment. The Teams journey through woods and fields, up and down hills and stop at different activity stations ( sometimes named after Alaskan towns) where they are tested on different Scout skills. Usually the Scouts have to use a map and compass to navigate themselves and their sleds to their destinations (each activity station). When they arrive at these stations they are timed and tested on their Scouting knowledge, their team work and their problem solving skills
Objective: A Cub, Scout and Venturer event held in the snow. Very similar to a Billy Cart Derby. District or Region based. Each competing Team needs a Klondike sled that uses Scout power to pull it instead of dogs. The Klondike Derby is an event that promotes teamwork and Scouting skills. Teams will load the sleds with their personal and team equipment and pull them through the competition course. Teams follow a map that takes them through the woods to 10 “towns” spread along an approximately 3.5 km route
Tremendous youth leadership and team building opportunity!
Where: You would hold the event in one of the lower Snow Fields, close to your District/Region for a day event. It could be further away if it was a full weekend event. You would not use Ski slope areas, and you would need shelter to reduce wind chill. Some venue ideas are: Lake Mountain, Donna Buang, Mt Baw Baw.
Who can participate? All registered Cub, Scout and Venturers. Teams of Six. All participants must be at least 8 years of age or over on the day of the event.
Cost: Will depend on the venue but would be between $30 to $60 per sled.
Prizes: Badges and certificates for all competitors, perpetual “Klondike Cup” trophy for Cub, Scout and Venturer section winners. Medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for Cub, Scout and Venturer section winners.
Weather: The Klondike derby will not be canceled for bad weather (unless hazardous road conditions and or temperatures below zero and the snow is over my head.) It is the RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEADERS to assess the situation including the weather and to decide if they should participate in the Derby or cancel. We recommend that special precautions be taken when the windchill is expected to exceed -25 degrees C.
Although the sun may be shining, it may be very cold the day of the Klondike Derby. You are very much subject to frostbite. If there is any wind it will make it much colder. Exposed parts of the body looking pale may be a sign of frostbite. Complaints of ears, toes, nose, or fingers feeling numb should be quickly sent to the first aid station for help. Never send a Scout alone, there is safety in numbers.
Miscellaneous Information:
- All Scouts must be dressed and properly prepared for the weather. No Scout will be allowed to participate in the day’s events if he is not properly prepared. If in the opinion of a derby organiser t hat the youth are not adequately prepared for the weather, the team will not be permitted to participate .
- Each Team is required to bring 1 sturdy Scout Stave per Team member and 1x 10ft length of rope per member.
- Each Team is encouraged to bring their Team flag and have it mounted on their sled.
- Each Team must have a sled. If you don’t have one you must borrow one.
- Sled teams members caught talking to any adult except derby staff and klondike rovers risk disqualification. Adults are encouraged to observe derby areas and assist the staff.
- Open fires will be limited to the burn barrels that will be provided
- A heated water point will be available for our use at the Marshalling Point
- Your fees include parking passes for the duration of the Klondike
- Toilets will be at the edge of the parking lot
LEADERS OR OTHER ADULTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO FOLLOW THEIR TROOP THROUGH THE ACTIVITY AREAS. WE WILL NEED SEVERAL PEOPLE TO KEEP WATCH FROM A DISTANCE TO MAKE SURE NO TEAMS LEAVE THE KLONDIKE AREA UNKNOWINGLY. LEADERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO VISIT AN ACTIVITY MAY DO SO UNLESS MEMBERS OF YOUR GROUP ARE PRESENT IN THE STATION. REMEMBER THIS IS A CHALLENGE FOR YOUR TEAMS TO DEMONSTRATE TEAMWORK AND KNOWLEDGE NOT YOURS.
Proposed Schedule:
8:30 am Check-In
9 am Opening Ceremony
9:15 am Events will start
12 pm Morning events will end
12 – 1 pm Lunch**
1pm Afternoon events begin
3:30 pm Afternoon events end
Score cards are due
4:30pm Closing Ceremony and awards
Lunch:
** The lunch stop will be a minimum of one (1) hour. It is important that the team has a substantial hot meal. Leaders must make sure that the Team has its own food. Be sure to include lots of liquid for drinking as the participants may dehydrate on the trail. (Cubs may have assistance during the preparation of lunch).
All groups must provide a hot lunch for their scouts. The Klondike staff will not be providing lunch for the troops. There will be free hot chocolate during the event, with each competitor having a “ticket” for two cups during the day.
Teams will heat/cook lunch and be scored. Menu and food to prepare a a balanced hot meal
Klondike Sled – Inventory / Check List
What is carried on the sled.
The Sled used in the Klondike Derby must carry …
- Team Flag
- Watch
- paper for notes, zip lock bag and pencils
- Sturdy Blanket (preferably wool) or sleeping bag
- Small Billy (that you don’t mind getting blackened)
- Waterproofed Matches
- Enough Dry Wood to start a small fire. (NO CHEMICAL STARTERS) You can bring your own or you can buy it at camp for $1 per a piece wood.
- fire container and ash bag
- First Aid Kit (3 sterile dressings, 2 compresses, 8 triangular bandages, material for splints)
- Survival Kit – be prepared. (flashlight, thermal blanket, loud whistle – use only if lost or need help)
- sled repair kit (tools, screws, wire, duct tape, etc.)
- Sturdy regular scout staves ( 5 foot and 1″½ in diameter) one per Team member {minimum of 6}
- 10ft lengths of Rope one per Team member {minimum of 6}
- Compass
- Scout Handbook / Scout Fieldbook
- Compass (at least one)
- Garbage Bag
- Tarp – 9′x9′ or larger
- Enough Dry Wood to start a small fire. (NO CHEMICAL STARTERS)
- 4 litres of Water – it is never a good idea to get dehydrated!
- A HOT Lunch and materials/equipment needed to make it, for each member of the Team. Teams will heat/cook lunch and be scored. Menu and food to prepare a a balanced hot meal
- An Observant Eye
Pesonal gear:
Be sure you have enough layers of clothes on before going on the klondike derby. If you get warm you can take off a layer at a time. no tennis shoes will be allowed. Proper footwear is a must, rubber weatherproof boots are recommended.
- Identifiable team markings for each member (scarves worn around the upper arm).
- Proper Clothing for the season with layers
- Proper footwear – NO SNEAKERS
- An extra pair of socks
- A complete extra set of warm dry clothes and socks (wrapped in a waterproof covering)
- A mug to drink hot cocoa/chocolate from
- A spoon to eat soup with
- Daypack to carry all this stuff
- Good Scout Spirit
Klondike Sled
Building the sled.
Each competing Team will need its own Klondike sled. Teams will be required to transport a different boy between each event, as well as the sleds required gear load. We recommend that each Team be between 4 and 6 people. The sled itself cannot be a store-bought sled, plastic sled, toboggan or the like. See diagrams for a picture of a sample “Klondike” sled.
The first is a design that apparently originated from BSA materials, a multitude of photocopy generations ago. It is a pretty simple design, but if screwed and glued together it will hold together pretty well. The Minnesota Flyer is a design by Steve Tobin, and features improved cross-bracing and stronger railings. It was glued and screwed together, and has been through 5 Klondike derbies of hard use and is still in good shape.
For more information…
- Klondike Sled Plans [PDF 2,197KB]
- How to Build a Modern Klondike Derby Sled (Revised Description 12/8/99)
Klondike Derby Towns (Stations)
The Stunts.
The Klondike Derby is an event that promotes teamwork and Scouting skills. Teams follow a map that takes them through the woods to 10 “towns” spread along an approximately 3.5 km route. The towns are staffed by a number of dedicated Scouters, and their families (spouses, children).
The Sunday’s Klondike Derby competitions will consist of 10 events that test scout skills, team cooperation, and leadership. All the activities are designed to be exciting and fun as well as testing skills. Teams will be required to transport a different boy between each event. We recommend that each Team be between 4 and 6 people. Scoring will consist of event participation and skill, and Team flag. Awards will be given for top finishers in the sled judging, derby activities, and sled races.
Venturers and Scouts may wish to sleep over on the Saturday night using snow camping techniques
Scoring: Points a re aw arded according to the total number of “nuggets” earned, and the time taken to
complete the course. It is usually to your advantage to earn nuggets rather than to finish the course quickly.
Allowance is made for any time waiting for a task to be assigned. The judgment of the Klondike mayors is final.
At an undisclosed station, proper clothing for the season will be judged. Be sure to dress in the appropriate layers necessary for cold weather camping.
The Team must participate in each activity. The Team yell, before you enter each station and your scouting spirit will help your score. Members of your Team should be knowledgeable of everything in their Scout book. Remember that once the klondike derby is complete, many of the activities at the different cities will apply to badge requirements,.be sure and get these signed off by your Leader.
KLONDIKE DERBY STATIONS
00. INSPECTION – Sled and equipment inspection
01. FIRST AID – Winter First aid (hypothermia, etc …)
02. FIRE LIGHTING – Start a fire without matches, using flint and steel or fire by friction, Making several fires
03. KNOTS & LASHING
04. NATURE – environmental issues
05. NAVIGATION – Map and compass navigation
06. SLED RACE – Timed sled race
07. TRACKING/ESTIMATION – How far, how high?
08. WINTER SURVIVAL / SNOW SHELTER BUILDING – Rope throw to rescue someone “on the ice”, Pitching a tent in the dark (blindfolded), Build a survival shelter big enough to get the entire Team out of the elements.
09. COOKING – Heating water to make a drink, cooking lunch time meal
10. AX & KNIFE SAFETY – Sawing a log, Cutting wood with a hachet, ax and bow saw.
For more information…
Boys Life – How To Run A Klondike [PDF]
