On the weekend of January 27-29th, Scouts and Scouters converged near Lemolo Lake for the 2023 Klondike Derby. Klondike Derby is the premier winter encampment event of the Oregon Trail Council and this year’s event was bigger and better than the last.
Many of the twenty troops in attendance made the journey to the Klondike site on Friday evening to set up camp and enjoy the full snow camping experience. They definitely earned their ‘frost points’ when they woke up to a crisp and chilly 24°F Saturday morning.
After those who camped enjoyed some time by the fire to warm up and a nice camp breakfast in their campsites and units who traveled for the day arrived, the event officially kicked off with the opening ceremony. Klondike Derby chair Eugene Regan welcomed everyone to the event and introduced Matthew Lehman, district executive for the Southern Service Area, to say a few words. After a few announcements and housekeeping items, all twenty-five patrols were dismissed to head to their first of nine competition stations.
Lashings Station
Klondike stations, just like at a Camporee, are designed to test a Scouts basic outdoor skills, promote problem solving, display Scout Spirit, and practice teamwork. However, these skills can be more complicated in the cold and snowy Klondike conditions. This year’s lashings station was no different. Scouts were required to use their lashing knowledge to build a sawbuck using the provided bamboo poles and dental floss, both materials uncommon to most Scouts for this purpose. Once assembled, the Scouts’ lashings were put to the test by having to use the sawbuck to cut a round off a small log. It was one of the more difficult stations to complete in the allotted 25 minutes each patrol had.
Compass Wheel Station
This simple, yet often challenging, compass station made a return to this year’s Klondike Derby. Scouts were given a series of compass bearings that they had to use to locate several stakes on the compass wheel in a field of snow. Each stake gave the Scouts a letter to verify their accuracy with the station master. One small mistake could thrown them of course and cost them big points.
First Aid Station
Practicing first aid skills in the classroom is very different than applying that knowledge in the field under a variety of conditions. When Scouts arrived at the first aid station, they were presented with the following first aid scenario:
“The patrol encounters a couple who were cross country skiing. The male had fallen and broken an arm. There is blood coming from the open wound. The man is shivering and is unable to answer simple questions. The partner is severely distraught. There is spotty cell phone service in the area.”
The patrol had to use their own materials and knowledge to treat the injuries of the victims based on the scenario.
Fire Building Station
The ability to quickly build a fire when out in the snow and cold can be a lifesaving skill to know. The fire building station required the patrol to start a fire without matches or a lighter with the materials they brought with them. They then had to use a pier iron to cook a sandwich over the fire. To further test the Scouts and make sure every Scout in the patrol could start a fire in the snow, each Scout had to light their own tinder. There were a few tasty sandwiches and quite a few questionable ones.
Sled Pull Station
Patrols were tasked with using a rope and at least two pulleys to pull their Klondike sleds up a small hill. To make it more practical, and challenging, the sled had to contain all of the patrol’s gear and one Scout of the patrol. The most successful patrols in this station had a good understanding of simple machines and mechanical advantage.
Obstacle Course & Team Building Station
This station didn’t require Scouts to utilize much of their outdoor skills knowledge, but it did require them to work together as a team to complete three different challenges, and of course, have fun! The first of three challenges was to get all the members of the patrol over a six foot tall beam. The second was to cross a Ninja line using the provided handholds, but each Scout could only use one hand to cross the obstacle. The final activity was snow hockey, where Scouts had fun hitting balls into buckets to earn points.
Ravine Crossing Station
A Klondike Derby staple, the ravine crossing is often one of the most challenging stations for patrols. This station requires each patrol to move their sled and patrol members across a ravine to the other side using ropes, pulleys, carabiners, and other equipment. The ravine crossing is a great example of the importance of proper knots and difference in different types of rope.
Wildfires Station
Not all stations have to be a test, but can also be about learning something new. At this station, Scouts learned about wildfires – how they start, how they are fought, and how to prevent them. A fire prevention specialist with the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal used a model forest to demonstrate fire behaviors, fire fighting tactics, and the important of defensible space. This was a popular station with both the Scouts and observing adults, who all had many questions.
Blind BB Gun Shooting
Yes, you read that correctly. This was another popular and fun station. Scouts worked in pairs for this station. One Scout was blindfolded and required to shoot a plastic bottle. Their buddy, who was not blindfolded, served as a spotter. Each BB gun was equipped with a laser to allow the spotter to be able to see where shooter need to adjust their aim.
As the patrol competitions came to a close and Scouts waited patiently for the results, everyone gathered at the flag pole for one final competition – the Scoutmaster snowshoe race! Five adult leaders participated in the event with a near photo finish, and a couple of wipe outs.
The day came to an end with the closing ceremonies. Klondike chair Eugene Regan thanked his amazing volunteer staff and made some final announcements before the participation ribbons and 1st, 2nd and 3rd place patrols were announced. In additional to prizes, each patrol received $0.10 per point that they could spend at the Klondike trading post.
After the closing ceremonies, all but a couple of units packed up and headed home after a great weekend of Scouting adventure, ready to get back to the heat and comfort of their homes… until next year.
Klondike will be returning in 2024!
The 2023 Klondike Derby would not have been possible without all of the adult leaders who stepped up to run a station, feed the staff, provide logistics, or just bring their Scouts to the event. Thank you for all you do for Scouting!
Do you have an idea for a station or interested in helping with next year’s Klondike Derby? Contact event chairman Eugene Regan at ewregan53@gmail.com.
