On January 24-25, 2014, the Old Ephraim District sponsored a Klondike Derby at Camp Fife near Fielding Utah. This BSA camp is located on the north banks of the Bear River just east of Fielding, Utah. Naturally, Troop 1 was excited to participate and test their endurance and preparation skills of winter camping. In all, eight scouts, and three leaders went on the camping trip. If you are unaware of BSA Klondike events, they are more than just camping in the cold winter months--they are an opportunity for many troops to compete in a derby, which entails troop members to push/pull a home-made sled over a set distance. This year, Dwayne Kruse and Nathan Cicco devoted their time and talents to create a sled, which shuttled Troop 1 across the derby course.
On Friday afternoon, Troop 1 departed from Logan and arrived at Camp Fife around 5:30 pm. The sun was already behind the west so we had to be quick to build our fire and set up camp. For dinner we had sloppy joes and chips and hot chocolate. Due to the cold temperature, we kept warm by going on walks and stoking the fire. Needless to say, it was early to bed and early to rise on this event.
In the morning the Troop cooked up sausage and french toast and played around on our Klondike sled. At 10:00 am, Council leadership put on an orienteering course and a demonstration of how to build your own bullwhip using basic materials from a hardware store. Each scout was given a chance to "crack the whip." After the morning program, Troop 1 returned to camp to eat sandwiches, punch and chips, and begin to take down camp.
The Klondike Derby was held at 1:00 pm. Over a dozen Troops lined-up and the derby began as the sleds raced across the snow, around the zip line tower, and back. Troop 1 came in second place, but we were proud to claim that we had the most scouts actually cross the finish line. Somewhere around the backside of the zip line tower it seems some scouts were getting tuckered-out and were thus left behind. After the race, we broke camp and headed back to Logan to meet our families at 2:30 pm.
On Friday afternoon, Troop 1 departed from Logan and arrived at Camp Fife around 5:30 pm. The sun was already behind the west so we had to be quick to build our fire and set up camp. For dinner we had sloppy joes and chips and hot chocolate. Due to the cold temperature, we kept warm by going on walks and stoking the fire. Needless to say, it was early to bed and early to rise on this event.
In the morning the Troop cooked up sausage and french toast and played around on our Klondike sled. At 10:00 am, Council leadership put on an orienteering course and a demonstration of how to build your own bullwhip using basic materials from a hardware store. Each scout was given a chance to "crack the whip." After the morning program, Troop 1 returned to camp to eat sandwiches, punch and chips, and begin to take down camp.
The Klondike Derby was held at 1:00 pm. Over a dozen Troops lined-up and the derby began as the sleds raced across the snow, around the zip line tower, and back. Troop 1 came in second place, but we were proud to claim that we had the most scouts actually cross the finish line. Somewhere around the backside of the zip line tower it seems some scouts were getting tuckered-out and were thus left behind. After the race, we broke camp and headed back to Logan to meet our families at 2:30 pm.