Powderhorn District

of the 2019 “Lost Along the Tracks”

Guide for Scouts and Scouters

What is a Klondike Derby?

In August 1896, prospectors discovered gold in the remote Klondike region of

Canada's Yukon Territory. In July 1897, the S.S. Portland arrived in Seattle,

Washington, with more than a ton of Klondike gold on board. This event touched off the great Klondike Gold Rush as thousands of people who dreamed of becoming wealthy began booking passage on steamers heading north from Seattle and other West Coast ports to the Yukon. Upon arriving at the northern end of the

Inside Passage, however, these adventure-bound stampeders found no easy route leading to the still distant Klondike region. Their progress was slow as each prospector made repeated trips over the rugged trail through the bitter cold.

Imagine pulling a sled loaded with three to six hundred pounds of supplies over a stretch of ice up a steep grade, strewn with boulders and logs, then crossing over a river bed on a couple of trees laid side by side and you get a picture of their labors.

Facing 60-mile-an-hour winds in 65-degree-below-zero weather, the prospectors had to ascend the Chilkoot Pass -- 1,000 feet straight up. With a steady stream of

Stampeders lining the path each day, it took forty trips to get a ton of supplies up the mountain. Those who survived the mountain then faced a treacherous passage by boat to the town of Dawson near the gold fields.

Since 1949, Boy Troops have been participating in Klondike Derbies as a way to honor this historic time. Scouts pull a sled loaded with supplies from station to station and compete in various scout skill based events.

We are carrying on that tradition! Get your sleds ready!!! Welcome

to the 2019 Leatherstocking Council Powderhorn District Klondike Derby! “Lost Along the Tracks”

February 16th, 2019 Hosted By Troop 7 Munnsville, New York General Information

Location: Munnsville Fire Department located at 5210 South Main Street, Munnsville, NY

Directions: From North: State route 46 south from Oneida or State route 46 North from Route 20 at 46/20 intersection.

Parking: Parking is available at the Catholic Church directly across from the fire department. Parking is indicated on the attached map as “P”. Please be careful crossing the road. Heavy truck traffic along with other motorists.

Time: Registration starts at 8:00am on Saturday February 16th.

Registration: Pre-Registration is Mandatory!!

Register online with the council office by February 8th , 2019

This year’s entry fee is $10 dollars per scout and leader attending. If a troop presents itself on race day with a scout or two extra we will accommodate them to the best of our ability but all troops planning to attend must pre-register and include a roster of the scouts and leaders attending. Pre- registering will allow the officials to ensure that there will be enough food, beverages and patches available for all! Klondike Leaders Guide

The 2019 Powderhorn District Klondike Derby will be a series of events and challenges that will test each troop or patrol in their scout skills, spirit and teamwork. Points will be given for completion of the given task, how well that task is completed, how well the patrol performs and cooperates as a team and the patrols . Each patrol will be given their starting point and direction of travel around the course. 20 minutes should be spent at each station and patrols should wait there, even if they have finished their task, until the signal is given to move on. Travel time between each station will be built in to the schedule and adjusted as needed. Patrols may begin their assigned task at each station as soon as all members are present and accounted for at the station. When the signal sounds for rotation, patrols must move on as quickly as possible to avoid conflicting with other groups even if they have not completed the assignment.

Adult leaders are welcome to accompany their patrols around the course but are NOT to assist in any way at the stations. A reduction of points awarded will be calculated for involvement and/or assistance rendered to patrols while they are competing!! Health and/or emergency situations notwithstanding. Notify the registration officials and the health officers if this happens.

The Health officer will be located at the registration building--#1 on the map.

Webelos Den Leaders: (and other registered parents) are considered part of the Den and may assist their scouts without danger of penalty. However, limited involvement of adults is encouraged and extra points may be given for successful completion of a task by Webelos scouts only!

Weather: The weather on the grounds of the “Tracks” is going to be a challenge and concern for the patrols attending this years Derby. In recent years it has been well below zero and well above freezing so each patrol and its members is required to dress in layers for any predicted or unpredicted weather! All scouts and their Leaders must be appropriately dressed for the weather or they will not be allowed to participate!! Consult your Boys Scout Handbook or review your C.O.L.D. weather training for appropriate clothing for the weather of the day.

Volunteers may be needed!! At some of the stations on the day of the event, if any adults of the participating Troops would like to assist please let the registration desk attendants know when you sign in! No Smoking

Following the policies of the , there will be No Smoking on the event grounds or at the Fire Hall afterwards. Please Do Not Bring The Following Items:

Cellphones or other Electronic Devices for scouts to use during this event. (Leaders should have a communication device on their person for emergencies)

Chemical or Petroleum Fire Starters

Pets-Do not bring pets of any kind to this event! (Service dogs exempted).

Day packs and other personal gear must be carried on the sled for the duration of the competition and not carried by individual patrol members.

Remember—if you carry it in, you carry it out—leave nothing behind but the memory of your passing through!

In event of a postponement, the reschedule date is “To Be Determined”.

If you have questions, comments or to volunteer to host a station at this year’s derby, please contact: Charles (Chip) Ax, III, Scoutmaster, Troop 5 [email protected] / Phone: 1-570-765-3593

Information also available at Council office. Sled / Patrol Gear

Required items for competition. Contents of the sled will be checked at Station 1: Sled Inspection. Points will be deducted for any gear on the list not included on the sled.

Klondike Derby Sled (bring wheel kit for no snow; hopefully we will not need it!)

Boy Scout Handbook (in plastic bag)

Clipboard and Pencil

Compass

First Aid Kit

50’ Nylon Rope

Wood and Tinder for One Fire (No chemical or petroleum accelerants!)

Fire starter -match, flint&steel, hot spark kit

4-or more 60” to 72” Staves

6- 10’ Lengths of Nylon Rope

Sleeping Bag or Two Wool Blankets

2 Pairs of Safety Glasses

Splinting Material for First Aid

7’x9’ or Larger Shelter Building Tarp

Written Weather Report For The Day of The Derby, Earlville, NY 13332

Water Enough For Each Patrol Member

Small Shovel or Entrenching Tool

Trash Bag

Trail Lunch-Bag Lunch (40 minute lunch at the stations)

Extra Gear You Think You May Need. (But remember you have to haul it)

A Scout is always Prepared!! Sample Klondike Derby Sled Design

Sleds should be between 18” and 24” wide and 60” and 72” long.

Having a “regulation” sled is not required but is recommended. Find more Klondike derby sled designs and details at “boyslife.org”. EVENTS

All events have a 20 minute time limit, some of your score will depend upon your ability to complete the events in the time allotted. Lunch will be 40 minutes!

Station 1: Sled Inspection: (this is a scored event!) Located at the registration building marked on the map as #1. All personal outerwear and sled equipment will be checked. After inspection, scouts will need to remain with their sleds in the registration area. Equipment may not be removed or added after completing inspection! Patrol Photos also taken at this time.

Station 2: Animal Track Identification: You are lost along the tracks and see many animal tracks. In order to keep your crew safe you need to identify what animals are around and which ones are most dangerous to you.

Station 3: Tree Identification: You are out in the cold winter forest hiking along a railroad track and night is about to fall. You need to build shelter and fire in order to survive the night. Identify the best kind of wood for the job.

Station 4: White-Out: You and another Scout are hiking down a railroad bed. Now a blizzard type “whiteout” has come upon you. One Scout happens to bring goggles on the hike. Therefore, the Scout with goggles will lead the rest of your crew through the snow safely.

Station 5: Orienteering: Brush up on your map and compass! Having lost your way along the tracks of the Klondike region you will need to find your way back to your sled and safety!

Station 6: Fire Building: On the path of the old Munnsville Railroad, you and your patrol stop at an abandoned lumber mill, seeking shelter as temperatures plummet. Unfortunately, all the wood is wet and rotten, making it unsuitable for a fire. You must use only the materials in your sled and your knowledge to build a big enough fire to keep everyone alive through the night. Remember, it is only getting colder, so hurry! Events (continued)

Station 7: Cross-Cut Saw: Just like the days of railroad construction, Scouts will use a 2-man crosscut saw to cut through a log. This will be a timed event. Two Scouts will cut of a slice of a log, then two different Scouts will make a second cut. (Crosscut saw, log, and sawbuck will be provided).

Station 8: Winter First Aid: In the railroad region all manner of dangers are constantly present! From exposure to animals to inhospitable weather you must be constantly on your guard. One of you’re your patrol members has become injured! Once you discover what has befallen your fellow adventurer you must administer first aid to keep from further injury or even worse…

Station: Lunch! (40 minutes) Nourishment sustains the weary adventurer as he struggles across the tracks! When the time comes for lunch stay at whatever station you are currently at and indulge in the favorite pastime of human beings worldwide and enjoy the sack lunch that you have carried with you the entire journey! Proper nutrition is essential for survival in the cold-- points will be given for well balanced meals –additional points for hot soup or drinks accompanying a sandwich! Remember—Motion is Life—enjoy your lunch in the allotted time and get ready to move on. Adventure awaits!!

Scoring and Points: The scoring and points system will be very liberal and administered by each stations attendant. Station areas are considered competition ground, behavior and attitude will be considered by the Attendants and their assistants. Scout skills should be sharp, Scout smiles should be bright and Scout spirit should be high! Good Luck! Event Schedule

Saturday

8:00—9:00am: Sled teams register and complete sled inspection. 9:10: Opening Ceremony 9:20: Event Begins! 12:00: Lunch in place at stations

12:40: Continue Events 2:00: Rest in Fire Hall for food and Closing Ceremony

Keeping warm is the most important part of cold weather activities.

Use the C-O-L-D method to assure staying warm.

C - CLEAN

Since insulation is only effective when heat is trapped by dead air spaces, keep

your insulating layers clean and fluffy. Dirt, grime, and perspiration can mat down

those air spaces and reduce the warmth of a garment. O - OVERHEATING

Avoid overheating by adjusting the layers of your clothing to meet the outside

temperature and the exertions of your activities. Excessive sweating can dampen

your garments and cause chilling later on. L - LOOSE LAYERS

A steady flow of warm blood is essential to keep all parts of your body heated.

Wear several loosely fitting layers of clothing and footgear that will allow

maximum insulation- without impeding your circulation. D - DRY

Damp clothing and skin can cause your body to cool quickly, possibly leading to

frostbite and hypothermia. Keep dry by avoiding cotton clothes that absorb

moisture. Always brush away snow that is on your clothes before you enter a

heated area. Keep the clothing around your neck loosened so that body heat and

moisture can escape instead of soaking several layers of clothing. Klondike Derby Stations

Station/Map Number Activity/Station Name

P Parking

#1 Sled Inspection

#2 Animal Tracks

#3 Tree Identification

#4 White Out

#5 Orienteering

#6 Fire Building

#7 Crosscut Saw

#8 Winter First Aid

5 6 4 7

3 8

2 1

P

Map of Event Field and Parking Area

Troop Roster 2019 Leatherstocking Council Powderhorn District Klondike Derby February 16, 2019 Troop:

Scouts Scouts 1. 22. 2. 23. 3. 24. 4. 25. 5. 26. 6. 27. 7. 28. 8. 29. 9. 30. 10 Scouters 11. 1. 12. 2. 13. 3. 14. 4. 15. 5. 16. 6. 17. 7. 18. 8. 19. 9. 20. 10. 21. 11. . *Make sure a current health form is available for everyone listed on this roster.*