BSA Tamanend District Scouts Compete in Klondike Derby

Washington Crossing Council’s newly created Tamanend District recently held their first ever Klondike Derby. The event drew over 300 scouts, venturers, Webelos and adult leaders to Ockanickon Scout Reservation in Pipersville for a weekend of friendly competition.

Klondike Derby is a traditional winter scouting event which harkens back to the days of the Klondike Gold Rush where teams are organized into sleds to demonstrate their scout skills and spirit. The sleds were awarded points for in up to 38 different categories from building campfires and outdoor cooking to Giant Jenga and crate stacking. According to Troop 102 Scoutmaster Jim Sullivan who has been involved in planning Klondike Derbies for the last nine years, the goal is to have fun in the outdoors.

Once the points were tallied, teams were awarded gold, silver or bronze status based on how many they earned. Some older scouts and venturers attending did the event as part of a backpacking trek. There were also races for both the backpackers and the sled teams.

The top finisher in the Scout Division was Sled #1 from Troop 102 which is chartered by Emilie United Methodist Church in Levittown. Sled #24 from Troop 153 at Assumption BVM Roman Catholic Church in Feasterville and Sled #2 from Troop 102 also finished in the gold. Newtown Exchange Club’s Pack 20’s Sled #37 took first place in the Webelos Division with Levittown Pack 20 also earning gold. Emilie United Methodist Church’s Crew 102 and Crew 154, which is chartered by Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad, joined forces to take first place and gold in the Backpacker Division.

Troop 91 from the United Presbyterian Church in Yardville, NJ won the Backpacker Race. Troop 102 took first place in the Troop Sled Race.

For information about joining cub scouts, boy scouts or coed teen venture programs, please visit http://www.washingtoncrossingbsa.org/