Troop 42's first entry in the Klondike Derby: January 14, 2012

We were the only troop with more than 1 patrol: we had 17 boys in 2 patrols.  Teams were organized in groups of 8 boys (more or less), and competed at 7 different stations. Events including team log sawing, log pull, first aid, water rescue, firebuilding, river crossing, lashing (build a tripod), and orienteering (Compass headings to all stations).

We brought two sleds (one per patrol). Jack made a beautiful walnut sled, and we borrowed a second sled from a Radford Troop. Boys had to have all equipment for each event secured to the sled, and push it from station to station.

Both the Duct Tape and Speed Eagle patrols may have gotten a tad off course, but everyone completed all events! The culminating event was pulling our sled UP the mountain (from Ottari waterfront up the back way, past our summer favorite site Apache, around the water tower and Campsite Tupelo), then DOWN the mountain back to the waterfront: with Scout history questions "bushwhacking" the boys enroute.

Speed Eagles captured 3rd place for their time of just under 20 minutes, and the Duct Tape patrol performed admirably, especially considering their crew size was 2 smaller than usual.

Lunch was a bowl of hot chili. Many boys were surprised to find that they actually like chili! A day of tough competition and cold weather will do that to you!

For this outdoor event, we did NOT spend the night! It was below freezing all day.  It's a great competitive event to test scout skills, and I'm sure we'll be back!!

Improvement ideas from our Patrol Leader meeting 1/23/2012: Improve the ability for our boys to take charge and lead their patrol Work on the rope/sling skills for river crossing Look at ways to quickly build, light, and clean up for fire building contest Practice shooting compass azimuths Bring a spray bottle of soapy water. Why? Log-sawing!