Klondike Derby returns to Camp Lakota with nearly 400 participant after 2 year hiatus |
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The 2022 Klondike was a day to behold as Black Swamp Area Council Scouts BSA Troops returned to racing for the first time after a two-year hiatus.
A patrol from Troop 318 topped the scoreboard with 418 total points, following by Troop 162 with 409 points and Troop 499 with 397.5 points. |
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Troop 318 had an impressive day with a first-place and a fifth-place finish. Leading the first-place sled from Troop 318 were Chris Cortez, Nathan Hartzell, Carson Skulina, Christian Branan, Caleb Emerine, Evan Altman, Alex Sayre, and Johnathan Burnett. The sled in fifth place was piloted by Grant Barbee, Nathanial Gregorowicz, Mitchell Hartzell, Lucas Hartzell, Hunter George, Keston Emerine, and Liam Ireland. |
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Nearly 400 showed for the day at Camp Lakota for this year’s race. When the start sounded the anticipation quickly turned to joyful excitement as Scouts took off running to their first station. Included in this number was the first female Patrol from Troop 29G to participate in a Black Swamp Area Council Klondike. |
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Event theming helped guide Scouts with the backstory that they were in search of gold during an race across Alaska in the frozen tundra on sleds pulled by other patrol members on the team. |
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Scouts participated as a patrol, running an expedition to simulated towns and solving practical problems using basic Scouting skills.
The Patrols received their scorecards and maps at the starting line (“Fee’s Landing”). As the Patrols approach the starting line, they were grouped with other sleds leaving at the same time. The groups departed at 5-minute intervals.
All sleds had to travel immediately to “Bear Crossing” (Customs). Their time was recorded on the scorecards and the traveled to first city. Once the skill was completed at the first stop, the Patrols raced their sleds back to “Bear Crossing” and then to the next city in the order listed on their scorecard. Sleds not following the order of cities on their scorecard faced a penal.
Upon arrival at each city, it was important they checked in with the judge at the entrance gate. Arrival times were recorded when the entire patrol and their sled were present. The sleds were parked in the parking area and the Patrol grabbed the necessary equipment for that station from their sled and proceeded to the event area. After completing the event, Patrols checked out with the same judge who marked their score and the time on the scorecard. The Patrol then returns to Customs then on to the next city on their scorecard.
After going to all the cities, the Patrol sleds returned to “Bear Crossing” to check out and then immediately traveled to “Fee’s Landing’ (Finish Line). Here, the scorecard was taken and computed and the Patrol’s efforts was recorded.
Each Patrol came prepared (mostly) for the event, including being able to prepare lunch for themselves, while on the trail of the race. The Scouts learn how to properly prepare for the event and how best to practice. Often Scout Troops begin preparing their Scouts months in advance for this event, which is a highlight of the year for many.
Catch a few videos of the day on Facebook:
A BIG THANK YOU TO THE VOLUNTEERS! A great deal of time goes into planning this event and preparing the Scouts. The event was chaired by Curt Brookhart, who was joined by nearly 60 other volunteers to bring a special day of learning and adventure for the Scouts. |  |
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