2 Table of Contents 3 Special COVID Updates 4 Cold Weather Outing 6 Health and Safety 7 Other Information 8 Gear for Sled 9 Schedule of Events 10 Events 12 Towns 13 Awards 14 The Klondike Sled 15 The Snow Snake 16 (Appendix A) Klondike Sled Project 19 (Appendix B) Snow Snake Construction 22 (Appendix C) Troop Roster
2 Special COVID Updates
While I am seeking to maintain the strong traditions of our yearly Klondike Derby, this year is going to see some significant changes from previous years as we seek to mitigate risks while still putting on a quality program that maintains our Klondike traditions.
My yearly leaders guide often sees only minor revisions, however this year there are going to be some important changes. Please make sure to review this guide carefully and don’t hesitate to reach out to me with questions.
Some key changes to keep an eye out for: -No indoor facilities (other than restrooms) -We are not providing lunch -Materials units must provide -Staggered arrival, no formal opening or closing ceremony
It will be expected that unit leaders check on the health status of all participants and guests by having certify to the following questions. Anyone who answers yes to the following should not attend:
-Have you tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
-Have you knowingly been in close proximity in the past 14 days with any- one who has tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19?
-Have you experienced any symptoms ofCOVID-19, including a tempera- ture of greater than 100 degrees f in the past 14 days?
Dave Roberts [email protected] District Commissioner Klondike Derby Chair
3 Cold Weather Outing
A Klondike derby is first and foremost a cold weather outdoor event, it is ex- pected that all scouts and scouters will prepare and dress accordingly. Dressing accordingly will not only ensure the safety of all participants, but also provide for the maximum level of potential enjoyment.
Cold Weather Comfort & Safety A key fundamental of cold weather camping and outings is to KEEP DRY. Moisture will reduce the insulating properties of almost everything. An easy acronym to remember is COLD.
C Keep yourself and your clothes Clean. O Avoid Overheating. L Wear clothes loose and in Layers D Keep Dry
A few thoughts on clothing and layering: Make sure all layers are loose fitting to optimize insulation. Keep yourself dry, both from weather and perspiration. Remember, wool retains most of its insulating properties when wet, while cotton loses almost all insulating properties when wet. Boots with good insulating and waterproofing properties should be worn, tennis shoes or sneakers are not appropriate footwear. Use wicking/liner socks along with wool socks to improve insulation. Upper and lower thermal underwear. Head cover; remember, most of your body heat escapes through your head, a wool cap that can cover your ears is best. While gloves provide independent use of fingers, mittens provide better warmth. If you require a fire to keep warm, then you are not dressed properly. If heat can get in through the layers, so can the cold.
Cold weather reminders: Drink plenty of water. Learn to recognize cold weather health problems, use buddy system even when in groups to ensure everyone is safe. Eating ice and snow will reduce your body temperature, and it is impure; do not eat it. The glare of sun off snow can cause snow blindness, use dark sunglasses on sunny days.
4 Boy Scouts of America. Troop Program Resources for Scout Troops and Varsity Teams, 11/02/2011, from: http://www.scouting.org/FILESTORE/pdf/33112_WEB.pdf Clothing for Cold weather activities: Torso: Long, thermal underwear Shirt or inner layer Sweater or light jacket Wind or rain gear Legs: Long, thermal underwear Inner pants, wool or wool blend Wind or rain pants Feet: Wicking inner socks Insulating socks; wool or wool blend Boot liners with insulated insoles Waterproof, loose fitting boots Other extremities: Head coverings, wool, with ability to cover ears Wool scarf, or other neck covering Mittens or gloves
5 Health and Safety
Weather All scouts and scouters should be mindful of the environmental factors involved with a Klondike Derby. Everyone should be mindful of their own and others health and welfare. The use of the buddy system can be invaluable in situations like this. Any signs of cold weather related injuries should be addressed promptly.
Warming Station Due to the unique circumstances of this years event, in the event that someone needs to be warmed up, we are asking that each unit be prepared to use their personal vehicles to warm up anyone in need. Ideally this would be the same vehicle that the individual will be travel- ing to and from the event in
Health Officer Units are responsible for all common incidents and medical issues like at any unit activity. Any injuries require immediate medical attention 911 should be called. There will be a des- ignated health officer at this event for immediate assistance and reporting of any injuries. Units hold primary responsibility for monitoring the health and safety of their own Scouts.
Health Forms Scout leaders must have a current copy of part A & B of the BSA health form for all partici- pants (including adult leaders). These will need to be available upon request of the desig- nated health officer. See Appendix A for a copy of part A & B of the most current BSA health form.
Parking Participant parking will be primarily along the side of the driveway loop. Parking directly next to the pavilion will be for handicap parking, equipment loading and unloading. Be- cause of the constant movement of participants and traffic in this area must be minimalized and access for emergency vehicles must be maintained.
6 Other Information Pre-Registration All troops must pre-register for this event no later than January 29th. This registration must include a roster of Scouts and Scouters attending the event. The Pre-registration is vital it ensuring an adequate amount supplies and for planning purposes. The cost will be $8 for Scouts. This fee will cover the cost of a patch for participants and other administrative costs. There must be a minimum of 50 paid participants for patches to be ordered, if we do not reach this number there will be a $5 refund and no patch ordered. There will be no cost for leaders attending.
Stations Upon arrival each unit will be given their assigned order in which they will be completing the stations. It will be important that units arrive at their assigned time and follow their schedule to allow for appropriate social distancing. Unit leaders will be expected to ensure proper mask and social distancing protocols are followed.
Lunch Lunch will not be provided at this years event due to current health restrictions. Units should have their Scouts to bring individual lunches to minimize any potential exposures. Units should be prepared to eat their meals outdoors wherever they happen to break for lunch and follow social distancing procedures while eating. Unit may choose to use this as an opportunity for an outdoor meal prep to satisfy advancement requirements
Arrow of Light We are encouraging troops to invite AOL Scouts from their partnering packs to join them and participate in the activities at this years Klondike Derby. This is a great opportunity for the AOL Scouts to attend and participate in a scouting activity to complete the requirement for the Arrow of Light Award. And as this is a popular transition time form AOL into Scouts BSA it makes for a good transition activity. AOL who lack a partnering troop can be teamed up with a troop upon request.
7 Gear for Sled It will be important that units pay attention to their supply list. Most stations will only pro- vide one time use items, all other needed tools must be supplied by units. This list is not an end-all-be-all list, but recommendation list.
Things to bring:
#1 Most important; Scouts (who are properly dressed)
Arrow of Light Scouts Troop Roster (Appendix F) Health forms (Appendix A)
Paper & pen/pencil First Aid Kit (Units are responsible Klondike Sled for any minor first aid needs)
Wood for fire starting Matches, hot spark, or flint & Rope (Several lengths, or something steel your willing to cut as needed)
Trash bag Water Patrol Flag
Scout Handbook Tarp or Blanket Appropriate Winter Attire
Individual lunches Snow Snake for each scout Clipboard
Small shovel or entrenching Watch Blindfolds for every Scout tool Hatchet Extra Face Masks Hand Sanitizer
What not to bring: Poor sportsmanship Gas lighters Chemical fire starters
8 Schedule of Events
Time Event Registration (Units will be given specific registra- 8:00-9:00 tion times a few days prior to the event.)
8:30-12:00 Stations open
12:00-12:30 Lunch Break
Stations re-open, (Units will depart once they fin- 12:30-2:00 ish all the stations and they checkout at the regis- tration table.)
6:00pm Virtual Closing posted on District Facebook page
9 Events For each of the events that scouts will be participating in, any and all of the items on their sled (that come from the approved list) can be utilized to help in the completion of the tasks they face.
Socially Distance First Aid Scouts will need to accurately apply a Band-Aid while staying 6 ft. away from their subject. This station will require some creativity as we will only be providing the Band-Aid and target, units must come up with how they will ap- ply it prior to arrival. All members of the unit will make an attempt and the fi- nal score will be an average of everyone's attempt.
Signaling Scouts will be given a short message that they must send using non-verbal com- munication over a distance to another scout in their troop/patrol. The receiving member must correctly record the message. Points will be awarded for success- ful receipt of message. (Signal flags will be provided, though other methods are acceptable)
Knot Skills Be ready to put your basic knot skills to the test with this activity.
Snow Blind Be ready to work together to guide your patrol through the frozen wilderness. The ice is thin though, so everyone must remain 6ft apart without getting lost. You must plan how to keep everyone together as you travel from point A to B. (Everyone must bring their own blindfold)
Trivia How well do you know your Scouting history and trivia that most first year Scouts should know? There will also be some additional challenging questions mixed in.
Match Splitting Using a hatchet scouts will attempt to split an upright match in half end to end. Bonus points will be earned for lighting the match with the hatchet while split- ting. Everyone in the unit will be given an attempt. (matches and a hatchet will be provided, though troops/patrols are welcome to use their own hatchets)
10 Events Continued History of Sled Each patrol’s Klondike sled is unique. We would like to hear the story of your sled. Where did the inspiration come from? What mystical tree were the run- ners carved from, etc.? A panel of judges will be looking for original, creative and inspirational stories of how your sled came to be and its history.
Firestarting This is a timed event. Scouts will build and light a fire with the goal of burning through a string 3 ft. off the ground. This station will have a strictly enforced time limit of 15 minutes. Scouts will start with a clear fire pit, the time spent building the fire itself will count into the time of the event, so all materials should be prepared prior to the event. The point of ignition shall not be more than 3” from the base. No chemical fuels or lighters may be used. Any attempt to pre-soak materials with “Boy Scout water” will end with a disqualification. The use of a ferro rod/hot sparker will earn 30 seconds taken off ending time, the use of flint and steel will earn 1 minute taken off ending time. Scouts are al- so responsible for putting out and cleaning their fire after the competition. (The string that must be burnt is the only thing provided)
Snow Snakes It is encouraged that every scout create and bring their own snow snake to the Klondike derby. At the snow snake event scouts will compete individually for distance. See Appendix D for Snow Snake design plans.
Snow Snake Design In addition to the distance competition, there will also be a design competition where our judges will decide upon the 3 most creatively designed snow snakes.
100 yard Sled Dash Given the current situation we will not be doing a traditional sled race. In place of that units will be completing a timed, 100 yard sled dash. The whole unit is expected to participate in this event. The time will end when the whole unit, in- cluding sled have crossed the finish line.
Patch Design We will be collecting patch design submissions at the registration table during the day. A winning design will be chosen at the end of the day.
11 Stations
We would not be able to pull off an event like this without the support of the units from within our district. Special thanks to everyone and the units who help make great events like these happen.
Events Sponsor Socially Distance First Aid Camp Russell Alumni Signaling Knot Skills Snow Blind Trivia Match Splitting History of Sled Firestarting Snow Snakes 100 yard Sled Dash
12 Awards
Klondike Derby Patch The scout who’s Klondike Derby Patch design is chosen will recognized.
Snow Snake Awards 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be announced for the individual scouts with the longest Snow Snake throw.
1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be announced for the individual scouts who’s Snow Snake receives the most number of votes in the design competition.
Klondike Derby Overall Winner 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be announced for the troops/patrols with the highest overall number of points earned throughout the day.
Closing Ceremony Our closing ceremony will be conducted virtually to maintain social distancing and group size requirements. Look for the video to be posted on our district Fa- cebook page at 6pm.
https://www.facebook.com/ADKfoothills
13 The Klondike Sled
Modeled after the Eskimo dog sled, the Boy Scout Klondike Derby Sled encour- ages a connection to the explorers of old. The Klondike Sled should not be looked upon as a hassle of a project for a one day event, but rather a useful tool, an opportunity for skill building and team work. A well built sled not only of- fers opportunities for team building, but a valuable tool for other winter camp- ing outings. Much like a patrol box, they provide a great deal of function for various winter events when hulling gear into and out of camp.
While there are no “official” dimensions for a sled there are some general guidelines. In addition to the information provided here, there is a wealth of re- sources available with a simple internet search. In appendix C you will find di- rections for your more common style of Klondike Derby sled taken from a Boy’s Life article.
“If January really is the Moon of Difficulties, let us get busy and overcome some of them, and we'll do that by building an arctic sled without being in the Arctics, the kind the Eskimos made before white men came to spoil their ingenuity with shop made things.” Dan Beard
14 The Snow Snake The Challenging and competitive game of Snow Snake has been part of North American culture for hundreds of years. The Snow Snake competition is said to be an Iroquois game that dates back nearly 500 years. It is said that the game developed from a means of communication used among Iroquois villages during the winter months. Each owner took great pride in their own unique snake, dec- orating them with intricate carving, artistic designs and embellishments of feath- ers and bones. The Snow Snake became a local community sport during long winter months when the tracks were not occupied in the relay of messages.
The creating of a basic Snow Snake is a fairly easy and cheap process. No great feats of carpentry are required and many lumber sellers may be happy to pro- vide scrap materials that could also be fashioned into a Snow Snake. In Appen- dix D you can find just one of many example of how to build a Snow Snake. A simple Google search can provide many more plans and examples.
We would like to encourage every scout to show up with their own custom Snow Snake to this years Klondike Derby. There will be awards given for indi- vidual scouts who achieve the longest throw with their snake. Along with a de- sign competition where event staff will vote on their favorite Snow Snake de- sign. Winners of which will be recognized at the awards ceremony.
Snow Snake Regulations -Must be made of wood -Can not have runners -No spear points -Must be launched underhand -Any kind of wax may be added -Use of Snow Snake in an unsafe fashion (ex. throwing like a spear) will result in disquali- fication
15 Appendix A
16 17 18 Appendix B
19 20 21 Appendix C Troop Roster 2021 Adirondack Foothills District Klondike Derby February 6th, 2021 Troop:______
Everyone in attendance must answer no to the following the day of event: -Have you tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
-Have you knowingly been in close proximity in the past 14 days with anyone who has tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19?
-Have you experienced any symptoms ofCOVID-19, including a temperature of greater than 100 degrees f in the past 14 days?
Scouts Leaders 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 4. 5. 5. 6. 6. 7. 7. 8. 8. 9. 9. 10. 10. 11. Visitors 12. 1. 13. 2. 14. 3. 15. 4. 16. 5. 17. 6. 18. 7. 19. 8. 20. 9. 21. 10. *Make sure a current health form is available for everyone listed on this roster.*
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