What Is A Klondike Derby

        Many years ago, men raced across the Alaskan frozen wilderness by means of dogs and sleds.  Scouting has taken this idea and came up with the idea of the Klondike Derby as an activity for Boy Scouts.

        The Toe River District has worked since 1980 to build upon and tried to improve on the original idea, and has capitalized on this idea as one of the biggest district events in the Daniel Boone Council.

        Each patrol builds a sled, collects materials and equipment, and prepares to embark on the Klondike and participate as a team in the derby.

        Each team will act as a separate expedition, following a course to various Alaskan Cities.  Each patrol leader will be handed a sealed envelope with a map and instructions on reaching the "North Pole".  Teams line up at the starting line, and at the roar of the cannon are away down the trail.  A certain distance down the trail, the patrol leader opens the orders and leads his patrol onto their first city, where they will encounter a situation in which they must use various Scouting skills and sometimes ingenuity to solve the situation.  Each city is ran by its Mayor, a leader from different troops, who run the city and assist the patrol in solving their problem. 

        After the patrol completes the event, their tally card is marked by the mayor.

General Information

Chief:               Garrick Smith  828-898-5356

Place:              McRae Meadows on Grandfather Mountain.

When:              Second weekend of November

Cost:                $20.00 per person attending.  A pre-registration discount of $10.00 per person is available if paid by October  10.

Leaders:          Per BSA regulations, each unit must be accompanied by two leaders, one of whom must be at least 21 years of age. 

Check-In:         Units may begin checking in at 1:30 PM Friday.  The Check-In procedure has a page all its own in this book.

IMPORTANT

Each troop furnishes its own tents, food, wood, water, and equipment.  Latrines will be provided.  It is recommended that the troop have wood or charcoal for cooking, a Coleman stove works well.  Remember, all policies of the Boy Scouts of America will be followed, WITH-OUT EXCEPTION.

General Derby Notes

On any grass, patrols will remove the sod with care and replace it after the derby

Please notify the Klondike Staff in advance of any of your scouts special medical needs.  We need to be able to recognize any special conditions.  Your cooperation could help prevent serious problems.

Every Scout and Leader must be registered with the Boy Scouts of America.  There can be no exceptions. 

Visitors will be allowed to visit the derby on Saturday and stay for the campfire.  They will not, however, be allowed to stay overnight at the derby.

Each troop is responsible for the Scout's in that troop.

Each patrol must have a patrol flag.  Specific details about the flag are provided later in the guidebook.

Leave NO fires unattended.

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.

It is strongly suggested that the Scout Handbook and Field Book be used as references at the derby.

THE SCOUT OATH AND LAW WILL GOVERN ALL PARTICIPANTS AT THE DERBY.

Derby regulations are necessary to insure that every Scout and Leader has, not only an enjoyable experience, but a safe one as well.  The above list is not intended to be complete, but is important and must be agreed upon by the adult and boy leaders of the troop to insure the safety of all present and to protect the mountain for all to enjoy.