The Scouts journey on paths through woods, up and down hills and stop at different activity stations (usually named after Alaskan towns) where they are tested on different Scout skills. Often the Scouts have to use a map and compass to navigate themselves and their sleds to their destinations (each activity station). When they arrive at these stations they are timed and tested on their Scouting knowledge, their team work and their problem solving skills.
Some of the things they may be tested on at the activity stations include:
- Sled and equipment inspection. Are they prepared with the right equipment ?
- Build a fire in the snow using only 3 matches and cook a complete meal for the whole patrol on it. They have to cook a hot drink, meat and a vegetable on the fire they build.
- Winter Survival Skill Tests:
- Where do you find dry wood for a fire ?
- How can you start a fire without matches, using flint and steel or fire by friction ?
- What can you find to eat ?
- How do you build a shelter to get out of the elements ?
- How do you build a bed to sleep in and keep warm ?
- Then demonstrate how to do these.
- Pitching a tent in the snow, frozen ground or ice.
- Map and compass navigation.
- First aid, for hypothermia, broken bones, CPR, etc...
- Pioneering - Lashing and Knots - building useful projects.
- Cutting wood with a hachet, ax and bow saw.
Click here to see a movie of the start of the 2007 Klondike Derby
The Klondike Derby is held every year in the Watchung Nature Reserve. Boys are divided into patrols and each patrol uses a Dog Type sled that uses Scout power to pull it instead of dogs. The Scouts pull the sleds that are loaded with their personal and patrol equipment.
# of visitors since Sept 22nd 2008
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