The 2010 North Star District Klondike Derby
  January 15-17
  Waubay National Wildlife Refuge near Webster

                      

The 2010 North Star District Klondike Derby is scheduled for the weekend of January 15-17 at the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge near Webster.

The Klondike Derby is the district’s challenging mid-winter contest of teamwork and Scouting Skills, and fun. The Troop with the best performance takes home the Paul Bunyan Award, which they’re required to defend each year.

We encourage units to consider using this weekend as a weekend snow camp and work on earning points for the Sioux Council’s Polar Bear Award.

Units are welcome to make it a two-day or three-day weekend or just come up for the day on Saturday to compete in the events and enjoy playing in the snow.

Patrols pull sleds over a course through woods and fields, loaded with the equipment and supplies they will need for the day’s activities.

Sleds may consist of anything from inner tubes to hand-crafted Klondike sleds - as long as they are capable of holding all the patrols’ equipment and supplies needed during the day - one Scout.

The following is the equipment that is typically required of each patrol or team to have with them for the competitive events:  everyone properly clothed for the weather; a Boy Scout Handbook; drinking water, a garbage bag, a first-aid kit; matches, a compass, paper & pencil, natural tinder, a patrol flag, etc.  Units will be notified of any special requirements for any of the events.

The challenges at the various stations are fun activities that test Scouting skills, ability to work together as a Patrol, and Patrol “Scout Spirit”.

Each patrol must have a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 Scouts, clothed properly with all necessary gear in/or secured to their sled(s). Units with less than four Scouts may join another small unit to meet the patrol size requirement.

After checking in Saturday morning, patrols or teams will assemble at the starting point, where they will be given the locations of the various event stations.

The number of events will be determined by the number of units participating. Each participating unit will be required to host one of the selected events, and will supply the manpower and materials for the event they choose. 

All participating troops are asked to host an event. We would greatly appreciate that all units decide on an event to organize and host as soon as possible. Please e-mail your troops event, event details, and any special equipment units need to bring ASAP (if not sooner) to Dennis Helland at dhelland@juno.com. This will allow us to have the list of events, schedule, and other details finalized in time for the Kiondike Derby weekend.

PLANNED COMPETITIVE EVENTS

"Frozen Pond Crossing Challenge" - Troop 23 of Clark

"Fire Lighting" - Troop 188 of Aberdeen

"Klondike Derby Race" - Troop 209 of Watertown

"Avalanche" and "Sawbuck" - Troop 35 of Sisseton

"Unexpected Situation" - Troop 33 of Webster

Event not known yet - Troop 51 of Aberdeen

 The following are event suggestions that units who haven't committed yet might consider hosting:

First Aid/Ice Rescue... Nature. . . . Norwegian Skiing(team building). . . Knots. . . Shelter Building (provided with tarp, twine and poles) . . . Winter Survival (Camping in the winter) . . . Blindman Obstacle Course. . . Ax & Knife Safety. . . Compass Course. . . Tree or Mountain Measuring.. . Snowshoe Race. . . Spear Throw. . . Stretcher Race. . . Bows & Arrows... Lumberman’s Log Lift. . . Pioneering Projects. . . Ice Bowling . . . Fox and Geese Game. . . Biggest Snowball Contest. . . Tug of War. . . Snow Baseball. . . Snowgusta Mini Golf. . . Frozen Pond Crossing . . . Smoosh Board Race. . .Muskrat Trapping. Klondike Sled Race.. . Fire Starting. . . Lemming Shoot Shooting Range. . . Capture the Flag. . . Broom Ball. . . Iron Chef Egg Fry. . . Sawbuck Sawing Contest. . . Ice Fishing Derby. . . Inner Tube Races. . . Cardboard Sled Races. . . Cross Country Ski Race . . . these are just a few suggestions. Check the Internet for more winter activity ideas.

If your unit’s event requires any special items that patrols or teams need to bring, please let us know so we can pass that along to everyone.

Prior to the competitive events, host units are asked to come up with scoring criteria for their events.

ICE FISHING - With great weather in the forecast, arrangements have been made for those interested in ice fishing to do so Saturday afternoon after the other events.  The folks at the Wildlife Refuge has fishing equipment available, but participates are encouraged to bring their own fishing gear.  Bait will be provided.  Those adults with power ice augers may also want to bring them.  Anyone over the age of 16 must have a valid Fishing License with them.

MISC. INFORMATION - We currently have five troops participating, but we encourage all district troops participate . . . even if just for the day on Saturday.  For those of you have never been there,  there is a large building with a heated floor.  For maximum comfort, bring a cot or sleeping pad.

There will be a number of picnic tables indoors for eating and for playing board games, but everyone is encouraged to bring a lawn chair or camp chair.

The weather for the weekend looks almost ideal.  Partly cloudy, with temperatures between 10 and 30 degrees.

There is currently 16 to 18 inches of snow on the ground.  Troops with igloo building equipment may want to bring it along.  This would be a great opportunity to learn how to build an igloo.

Even though I will be bringing the O.A. game box (which now includes three new games), troops over-nighting are asked to bring indoor-type games or activities . . . or bring along ideas for outside activities that we can do after dark.  If you have any Wii games, video games, or have the equipment necessary to show a movie, please being them along.

FIREWOOD SITUATION - There is firewood available on the ground at the Refuge for those camping.  Please bring your saws and axes.

WATER SITUATION - As was the situation when we last held the Klondike Derby at the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge, there is water there which is fine for washing, but units are advised to bring drinking water with them.

SCHEDULE - the schedule for the weekend is basically the same as last year.  Any schedule changes will be posted and announced at the Klondike site

Friday afternoon and evening - units overnighting may check in and stake out indoor sleeping areas or set up campsites outdoors if working on Polar Bear points. There is currently 16-18 inches of snow - more than sufficient for those who would like to build an igloo.

Saturday
  8:00 am - Breakfast
  9:15 - 9:45 am - Check-in
  9:45 am to noon - Morning Klondike Derby Events
  Noon - Lunch (Don't forget to bring hot dogs and chili for your troop)
  1:00 - 2:00 pm - Afternoon Klondike events
  2:00 - 5:00 pm - Ice Fishing, Igloo Building . . . maybe even a snowball fight?
  5:00 - 7:00 - pm - Troop mealtime
  7:00 - 10:00 pm Evening activities - Either indoor or outdoor activities to be arranged. 

Sunday
  8:00 am - Reveille
  8:15 am - Breakfast (by Troops)
  9:00 am - Sunday Service
  9:15 am - Troop Time - Pack up & clean up facilities

COST
The cost this year is $7.00 for youth and adults. This will include an event patch, insurance, facilities use fee, 8:00 a.m. Saturday breakfast, and some of the noon meal items such as buns, ketchup, mustard, utensils, cocoa, and coffee. Each participant is to bring a can of chili to be added to a community chili pot, and troops are to bring enough hot dogs for everyone in their unit (buns will be provided). All other meals are the responsibility of each troop.

Units are asked to provide us with a headcount of the number of youth and adult participants attending from your troop, plus if your troop will be overnighting one or both nights, or coming just for the day on Saturday.  We need this information by Monday night, January 11th.  You may phone or e-mail your information to Dennis Helland. 

The schedule will be finalized as soon as the events have been selected, and will be posted on the website and e-mailed to all units. More details will be posted here, and also e-mailed to units.

Units are to fill out and bring a unit event registration form with them when they arrive at the Klondike Derby. Event Registration Form.pdf

 

 Check this page for updates and the latest information.

  Click here to view the 2009 North Star District Klondike Derby Photos.

Current Waubay weather conditions and 7-day forecast

 

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