Klondike Derby in 2018 was March 3-4. Again, I am a whole year behind on this blog. It was a difficult year getting boys there as most of them had been to the Klondike at least two times in their life. It can be a hard camp-out but those that went had a good time and still learned more skills despite having been multiple times. Also there were some different events never done before at this particular Klondike. Learning skills like these can be a blessing at any time in life and I am glad for the hard work that the district does in putting this together. A big thanks to Ryan Webster who was in charge and put the most time and thought into this.
Those that came were myelf (scoutmaster at the time), Andrew Leavitt (assistant scoutmaster), Kiowa and Gabren. We were fortunate to have two older boys come, Kaleb and Antonio and they were a tremendous help. Josh came up for a few hours that evening but couldn't spend the night. The few weeks prior to the Klondike we built our new sled as shown in the photos below. Those that helped build the sled were Kiowa, Gabren, Josh, Zach, Robert, Bowdy, and leaders Aaron and myself with Andrew who provided the materials and the shop to work in. Thanks Andrew!
Josh, Bowdy, Aaron, Robbie and Kiowa
Josh hiding behind Andrew, Aaron, Gabren, Kiowa and Robert
Robbie, Josh, Gabren and Kiowa
We pulled up to Pine Creek Pass parking lot around 5 p.m. We were going to camp over on the right hand side and Andrew was pushing snow out of the way in that area. I was waiting back a bit for him to finish and then I was going to pull up and start setting up camp. The very second Andrew finished, some other troop zipped into our spot and took it! Whaaat! Whatever I guess, so Andrew pushed away snow in the middle area of the parking lot toward the back and we set up camp there. Turned out to be a better spot anyway. We set up both wall tents as the weather wasn't looking too dry. I cannot remember what we ate for dinner but I do remember having my Solo Bonfire stove and it getting so hot that we melted a pop can in it. I have one of those laser type thermometers and it errors out over 1000 degrees F. At the middle and higher parts of the stove the temperature was around 900 degrees and at the bottom it errored out. The pop can melted fairly easily. We also had a straight stick of 3/8" rebar that was about 4 feet in length. I stuck it in the stove and before too long the end was glowing red. I decided to make a little curve in that end and now it looks like a sheepherders staff. We also had some fun with it burning our names into the Klondike Sled. In one of the videos you can see how hot it actually got.
My pickup with the scout trailer. My tent on the left and directly behind it is the scout tent next to the trailer
My truck on the left. The camp on the right are the fellows that took our spot after we plowed it. You are forgiven, however, as you may have thought it was just a random dude plowing the lot.
Other parts of the camp
Our camp in the middle again
Time to wake up. I put my little buddy heater in the tent to make it warm so they could dress. Notice the steam. A wall tent will heat up very nicely and can be quite warm and comfortable. Usually we bring a wood stove but this time we just did the little heater. We only used the heater until they got dressed
Gabren is happy to be awake as usual. Kiowa is having a hard time and Kaleb and Antonio are getting close.
The next morning we had breakfast and got the camp down rather quickly and were ready for the games. Soon all troops were organized and told what stations to start at. Our first station was a fun one. We had to cross over a "river" of water which was a tarp, on a rope suspended between two trees. You could not touch the water or you were dead. Also, the whole troop and the sled had to come over on the rope to count and it was a timed event. I think we did pretty good for the most part, but it was difficult. It was very entertaining from my perspective. Unfortunately, they did not require the Scoutmasters to go across so we stayed on the other side and perished (figuratively).
Antonio makes the first attempt
Kiowa sails over upside down
Gabren now heads over
The sled makes it across
Kaleb now moves on over
Antonio finally gets across.
The second station was using a large piece of surgical tubing to launch a snowball at a target 50-75 yards or so away. I can't remember the scoring method but it was a fun event. We have not done this one at a Klondike before. Two boys would hold each of the ends of the tubing while a third would put a snowball into a pouch, pull it back and fire it like a giant slingshot. Growing up I had one of these and would launch water balloons with it. Two guys would hold the end and we had cut off a pant leg of some bluejeans and it was our sleeve. It could send a water balloon a long ways. One time we broke a double-pained window with it. The boys took a lot of turns and got multiple tries holding the tube and launching the snowball. We scored pretty well I believe. You can see this better in the video clips I posted.
Kaleb and Kiowa on the ends with Gabren launching. Antonio is by Kaleb
It can be frustrating getting the snowball to stay on
Antonio takes a break
The third event was building a fire in the snow. We had one going before too long. These guys are pretty good at firebuilding.
After getting the fire going we headed over and recited the Scout Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan and various other things Ryan wanted to quiz us with. All of these boys could say those in their sleep I think. When they were 11 year old Scouts, every meeting we recited those and talked about examples of how to use them in their daily lives. It was drilled into them. Even if a boy does not make it to Eagle Scout, they at least know all the principles of Scouting and I think they are better citizens in their youth and as they get older. While all the other skills are important to learn, the Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan are probably most important as a foundation for the rest of their lives.
Ryan Webster, Gabren, Kiow, Kaleb (hidden) and Antonio. Ryan does a fantastic job and is also the one who put all this together.
Antonio in the sled. Notice how we burned our names into the sled with our "branding iron" from heating it up in the Solo Stove.
Next station is with Meredith Wilson and they showed their skills with knot tying. Just like the Scout Law and Oath, as 11 year old scouts, we went over lots of knots and they did fine here. Meredith has a lot of experience with ropes and horses and they learned some new things.
Andrew, Antonio, Kiowa, Meredith, Gabren and Kaleb.
Now its time for the sled event. The boys have to pull the sled with a passenger a certain distance and back. It is a timed event. For only having three young men pulling we did really good. While our times were not as good as some of the troops with bigger and more boys, we pulled our hearts out and I'm really proud of these boys. Gabren being the smallest and lightest was chosen to ride in the sled and the other boys pulled.
Deciding who's riding and who is steering as well as pulling. Gabren rides, Kiowa steers and Antonio and Kaleb pull. Bro. Dodge is in charge of this event and he gives them some good council. You can hear some of it in the videos
And they are off
Waiting until they come back
Just getting to the finish line. Kaleb and Antonio hit the snow while Gabren and Kiowa unleash themselves from the sled
This is a typical scene after this race. If you have followed my past blogs this will look very familiar
Antonio
Kaleb
Gabren and Kiowa
I don't remember what we placed but we won a nice Gerber hatchet and a knife set. Its a handy little tool. In the past we have won shovels, axes, a really nice pan and a lantern. Great job guys. I sure miss having you in our troop and hope that you stay learning in Scouts and keeping the Scout Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan to heart. Thanks to Andrew and Aaron as well as Ryan for all the help they have done with our troop and its success.
