Klondike derby
The Klondike derby of the BSA Transatlantic Council at Germany, 1984 near Garmisch-Partenkirchen: German Scouts of the Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg.
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
CountryUnited States, Canada
DateWinter
 Scouting portal

A Klondike derby is an annual event held by some Boy Scouts of America and Scouts Canada districts during the winter months and is based on the heritage of the Klondike Gold Rush.[1] BSA units have been running Klondike derbies since 1949.[2]

The event varies by district, but the typical Klondike derby consists of several stations where patrols/units must test their Scoutcraft skills and their leadership abilities, earning points towards a total score.[3] Often, one or more races are included while the Scouts navigate between stations.

The unit must transport their gear on a homemade sled pulled by the Scouts. Districts may have specific guidelines for the construction of sleds.[4]

Variations

Extreme Klondike! is a front-country (in contrast with backcountry), up-to-24-hour, cold-weather, personal and team challenge for older Scouts and Venturers often held in conjunction with Klondike Derby. The aim of this variation is to increase/sustain older youth participation. Part backpacking, part survival, and/or part winter camping, the mini-High-Adventure Extreme Klondike! collection of events aims to replicate trail life in the Great Northwest by presenting a wide range of basic-skill, higher-standard challenges and letting the 'boy-led' team decide who, when and how to complete each event.[5][6][7]

References

  1. ^ Morland, Liam. "Klondike, Ho!". Scoutdocs. Retrieved October 9, 2007.
  2. ^ Peterson, Robert. "The Grandaddy of Klondike Derbies". Scouting (January–February 1999). Retrieved October 9, 2007.
  3. ^ Derr, Aaron (November 2007). "Plan and Run a Klondike Derby". Boys' Life. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  4. ^ "Plans for Klondike Derby Sled (Sledge)" (PDF). Scouting. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 25, 2007. Retrieved October 9, 2007.
  5. ^ "Chillicothe Klondike Derby 'Ship Wrecked in Alaska'". Tecumseh Council. 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  6. ^ "N-12762 CAC Pioneer District Winter Camporee 2010 Extreme Klondike Camp Belzer". eCRATER. September 19, 2015. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  7. ^ "Three Rivers District Klondike Derby" (PDF). Green Mountain Council. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 28, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.


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