TWIN RIVERS COUNCIL, BSA MAHIKAN DISTRICT 2012 KLONDIKE DERBY AND FREEZE-OUT January 28, 2012 Rotary Scout Reservation REGISTRATION PACKET 2012 Mahikan District Klondike Packet Page 1 of 15
TWIN RIVERS COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 253 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, New York 12205 MAHIKAN DISTRICT Serving Columbia and Rensselaer Counties and the Village of Waterford November 2011 Scoutmaster; The Mahikan District Klondike Derby will take place at Rotary Scout Reservation on Saturday, January 28 2012. We hope every troop in the district participates, and also extend an invitation to Troops outside of our District or Council. The task: Each patrol is on a challenging outdoor trek through the wilderness. On this trek you must overcome all obstacles that you encounter, help anyone that is in need, and safely reach your destination. Derby patrols may participate in the HAWK or the BEAR division. The BEAR division will be limited to patrols where no Scout is higher than First class rank. In the HAWK division patrols may have Scouts of any rank. Each participating Scout will receive a 2012 Klondike Derby patch. Each participating Troop will receive a flagstaff ribbon. Awards will be given for the top three overall patrol winners in each division. A Best in Event Award will also be given for each individual Derby event. We will also have the traditional Freeze-Out following the Derby, this is a great chance for your Troop to practice its winter camping skills. During final registration, all Troops staying for the Freeze-Out will be assigned a camping area. After the Derby, Troops will be able to set up camp and stay Saturday night. We recommend Okpik cold weather camping training for all adult leaders participating in the Freeze-Out. Participating troops must pre-register by January 15, 2012. If you have additional Scouts who decide to come after that date they can be registered on the day of the event, but we would like to have some idea of how many Scouts and adults to expect. The pre-registration form is part of this packet and is also available on the Council website. Please list the number of patrols and estimate the number of scouts. The pre-registration form should be e-mail or mailed as soon as possible (see form for contact information). It is strongly suggested that unit leaders pre-register Scouts online at the Twin Rivers Council website, trcscouting.org, and pay the pre-registration fee of $30.00 online also (goes towards total cost). You may pay the balance of the registration fee of $7.00 per participant, as well as last minute or add on registrations, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning, January 28th, at Camp Rotary. Hope to see you there!! 2012 Mahikan District Klondike Packet Page 2 of 15
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS TIME EVENT LOCATION SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2011 7:30-9:00 Clothing & Sled Pre-Check Rotary Parking Lot 8:29-9:29 Troop Check-in Camp Office 8:29-9:29 Clothing & Sled final check Camp Office 9:29-9:45 Opening Ceremony Seneca Lodge 9:45-11:45 Morning Events As Per Map 11:45-1:29 Fire Building and Lunch As Per Map 1:29-3:45 Afternoon Events As Per Map 3:45-4:15 Sled Race Davitt Pond 4:15-4:29 Closing Ceremony Seneca Lodge 4:29 Freeze-Out Begins As Assigned SUNDAY, January 29 st 2011 11:00 Freeze-Out Ends WARMING STATIONS: Seneca and Uline Lodges will be open all day Saturday as Warming Stations. During the Freeze-Out, any Scout who is too cold to sleep may go to either Seneca Porch or Uline Lodge and sleep there. FIRST AID: Available at Seneca Lodge throughout the Klondike Derby. 2012 Mahikan District Klondike Packet Page 4 of 15
GENERAL INFORMATION PRE-REGISTRATION If you haven t already done so, please complete the pre-registration form online or by mail for your Troop along with the pre-registration fee of $30.00. You can also register individual Scouts on line at the Council website. TWO DIVISIONS Two different levels of competition are planned so that Troops and their Scouts can enter patrols in the division that gives them the fairest opportunity. The BEAR division will be limited to patrols where all the Scouts in the patrol are of First Class rank or lower. This division is intended to allow the less experienced Scouts to demonstrate their skills and leadership abilities without having to compete directly with much more experienced and physically stronger Scouts. The HAWK division is open to all Scouts many of whom may be competing in their 4 th or 5 th Klondike. Scouts of First Class rank or below may be members of a HAWK division patrol. HAWK division patrols will be expected to demonstrate a higher level of expertise, teamwork and leadership. CLOTHING POLICY The Klondike Derby is a full day outdoor winter event held at a location that is usually several degrees colder and much windier than the general capital district. Patrol leaders should conduct a winter clothing training session with Scouts as part of their Derby preparations. A list of suggested clothing is included in this packet. Patrol members who are not properly prepared for the weather will not be allowed to compete. No exceptions. Cotton is NOT acceptable for outdoor winter activities. Anyone wearing cotton long underwear, jeans, sweatpants or sweatshirts may be barred from competing. A pre-start clothing and sled check is part of the final registration of each patrol, any patrol that does not meet the minimum requirements of the clothing and sled check will not be allowed to complete in the Klondike Derby. No sled checks will be conducted at Seneca. PARKING All vehicles must be parked in the upper lot at Rotary Scout Reservation. A limited number of 4-wheel drive and off road vehicles will be used inside the Camp to support the Derby events. REGISTRATION ON DERBY DAY Please complete the Troop Klondike Derby registration form including the names of all participants before you arrive at the registration station. Have the balance of your Troop s registration fee ready at the time you register. Registration will start at 8 AM at the Rotary Camp Office. Make sure you indicate which division each patrol in your Troop will be competing in. Leave your Troop Health Forms (organized in a labeled envelope or binder) at the registration station. At registration each patrol leader will receive an information packet for their patrol containing instructions, maps, event order, and start times for each Patrol. Make sure these don t get lost! STAFF HEADQUARTERS, FIRST AID STATION AND WARMING STATIONS Seneca Lodge Porch, on the waterfront, will be Derby headquarters. Seneca Lodge will also serve as a Warming Hut, First Aid Station and Health Form Repository. No one may 2012 Mahikan District Klondike Packet Page 5 of 15
enter the interior of Seneca Lodge (where bunks are) except Klondike staff and members of the host Troop. All medications are to be stored here. Adult leaders or senior Scouts should escort ill or injured Scouts to Seneca Lodge. A patrol may continue its competition without an ill or injured Scout as long as it still has a minimum of four Scouts in the Patrol. ADULT LEADERS Patrols are encouraged to operate independently, with no input from anyone who is not a patrol member. Senior Scouts and Adult leaders may follow the progress of any Patrol in their Troop. However, senior Scouts who are not part of a Patrol and adult leaders may not participate in or assist a patrol with any Klondike Derby event at any time. Klondike Derby Judges are authorized to adjust Patrol scores anytime they feel that an unfair advantage has been provided by a senior Scout that is not a member of the Patrol or by an adult. Training for the event should be accomplished prior to Klondike Derby day. ADULT VOLUNTEERS Any senior Scout (Life or Eagle) not participating with a Patrol and any adult leader who is available to serve on the Derby Staff is encouraged to volunteer. Please indicate your availability and preference area (if any) on the Pre-registration form that your Troop sends in. There will be a Town Hall meeting for all Derby Staff at 8:00 AM at Seneca Lodge for instructions and to answer any questions. HOT CHOCOLATE Each patrol is asked to bring a large can (not packets please) of hot chocolate mix to be turned in at registration. It will be prepared at Seneca Lodge and will be available to all Derby participants on breaks between events as needed. RENEGADES Several pairs of Renegades will be roving through the Yukon Territory during the Derby. These will be Older Scouts who can be identified by their bright orange vests. The Renegades will stop sleds at random and check to be sure that all members of the patrol are warm and dry. Any scout who is found to be excessively wet or cold will be escorted to the nearest warming station. All sleds asked to stop by the Renegades must stop. Failure to stop will result in the loss of 5 points. HEALTH & MEDICAL RECORDS Troops must turn in a medical record form for all Klondike Derby participants (Scouts and Adults). The health history and parental authorization (for Scouts) are the only sections that need be completed. Place your Troop Health Forms in a large envelope or binder with your Troop Number and Scoutmaster s name written clearly on the outside. Turn them in at registration. They will be maintained at that First Aid station at Seneca Lodge and will be available for pick up after the Closing ceremony or Sunday morning for those troops attending the Freeze-Out. OTHER Trash Removal: Please be prepared to carry out what you carried in! NO SNOWBALLS: Offending Scouts will be asked to leave the Derby. 2012 Mahikan District Klondike Packet Page 6 of 15
Firewood: The Firewood staged at Seneca or any other Lodge is not available for general Patrol use. Scavenge Dead and Down fuel in the woods or carry in needed firewood. Smoking Policy: Out of sight of the Scouts. KLONDIKE DERBY: PATROL REQUIRED EQUIPMENT AND SCORING DERBY SCORING At each Klondike Derby Station the Judge or Deputy Judge will give the Patrol a problem to solve. Patrols will be scored based on the time it takes (adjusted for the number of Scouts in each patrol) to accomplish the task required, or in some cases the number of tasks which are accomplished in a set time. The goal is to make scoring objective rather than subjective whenever possible. There will be no specific scoring for teamwork. The assumption is that a patrol that works well together will complete the task in the least amount of time. PATROL Sled with a harness for up to 7 First Aid Kit and other safety materials Rope, assorted lengths and thickness, at least one coil 50 long Metal Fire Pan with provision to keep it off the ground Matches and homemade fire starters (no liquid starters) Hot lunch for each Patrol member plus extra for cooking judge Water, at least one quart for each Patrol member Trash bags and other clean up supplies Waterproof bag to use as bear bag A five foot length of rope for each Scout EQUIPMENT Compass Compass Sleeping pad Blankets (to make litter) and sleeping bag if desired. 4-Scout Staves (6 feet or longer) Small Firewood shovel Cook Kit with cooking utensils Individual eating utensils Extra clothes/gloves/hats/socks Tarp Within reason, Patrols may bring whatever additional supplies they feel would be beneficial in helping them solve the Klondike Derby problems. Remember whatever they bring they have to haul on their sled for the entire Klondike Derby and have on the sled during the sled race. No liquid fire starters or batteries are allowed. 2012 Mahikan District Klondike Packet Page 7 of 15
KLONDIKE DERBY CLOTHING AND SLED INSPECTION In order to register and compete in the Derby, a Patrol must first demonstrate that each member is properly clothed (including some spare clothing) for a day of active outdoor winter activity. The Patrol must also present for inspection a fully loaded and properly secured sled containing all the equipment necessary to complete all of the Klondike Derby events. It is not the responsibility of the Derby staff to determine if the Patrol has packed all the needed items, but rather to ensure that what is packed has been properly secured. EACH Patrol will be checked for proper and adequate clothing prior to registration. Cotton is NOT acceptable for outdoor winter activities. Anyone wearing cotton long underwear, jeans, sweatpants or sweatshirts may be barred from competing. Patrols not meeting the minimum requirements will not be allowed to complete. EACH member of the Patrol must have: Insulated and waterproof boots (leather boots are probably not waterproof). Secure the boot and pants leg to prevent snow from getting into the boots (eg. tucking pants leg into boot and tying the boots, putting the pants leg over the boot and tying the pants leg, using snow pant). Be sure to clean the snow from around the boots periodically. Warm hat that covers the ears Warm water repellent mittens or gloves Wind resistant/water repellent outer clothing Layer style dress: polypropylene, wool, fleece or other wicking material Extra clothing (at least hat, socks, gloves) Personal water supply Drinking cup for hot chocolate Any Patrol that does not pass will be allowed to resolve the problem and present itself for re-inspection at any time before the Derby begins. Each patrol MUST pass this inspection in order to register and compete in the Derby. # 1 Gold Nugget Toss: EVENTS How many times can the patrol toss a gold nugget ( gold-painted tennis ball) over a rope 10 feet above the ground without using their hands, or using gloves, tarp, etc. to pickup the nugget the judge will handle the nugget when necessary-- in five minutes. They can use any supplies on the sled to accomplish this task. Grading: The score will be determined by the number of times the nugget is tossed over the rope and then tossed back again in five minutes without touching the nugget being tossed over the rope. 2012 Mahikan District Klondike Packet Page 8 of 15
# 2 SPIDER WEB: The members of the patrol are confronted with a spider web made of binders twine which is located 3 feet above the ground. The members of the patrol must all pass through this hole without touching the ground beneath it. Members must work cooperatively to accomplish this task and may use any items on the sled they need to accomplish this, if they wish. Grading: The score will be determined by the amount of time it takes to get all members of the patrol through the spider web hole from the time they announce that they are starting. The time required will be adjusted based on the number of Scouts in each patrol. FIRE BUILDING AND TRAIL LUNCH WILL BE COMBINED AT ONE LOCATION. IT WILL BE GRADED AS TWO SEPARATE PROBLEMS. FIRST, HOW WELL THE FIRE WAS BUILT? SECOND, HOW WELL THE MEAL WAS PREPARED? #3 FIRE BUILDING This is a timed event. During a backwoods, winter camp out the ability to start and sustain a productive fire is a valuable asset. Patrols will be scored on their ability to build and start a fire and to bring the snow in a #10 tin can to a boil. Tinder, kindling and fuel may come from the Patrol sled or from natural dead and down material. Extra points will be awarded to Patrols that use some or only natural materials. The use of liquid fuels or lighters, battery powered starters, or commercially made fire-starters are not allowed. Homemade fire-starters are allowed. Fires may only be constructed on a raised platform such as a trashcan lid or metal tray. NO GROUND FIRES! Do not start building the fire until you have been assigned a judge and the judge informs you it is OK to start. To do well a Patrol will need to be well organized with each member having a job to do and carrying out that job to the best of their ability. A well-led Patrol will practice and know their assignments ahead of time. As with all Klondike Derby events, idle Patrol members without assigned duties will probably hurt the Patrol s ability to score well. The snow that is boiled for this event may be used when preparing the trail lunch if the Patrol so desires. Grading: The score will be assessed based on time from start of building fire to time the snow is melted and boiling. Mandatory deduction will be imposed if any fuel is stripped from living vegetation. Extra points: Patrol uses only naturally occurring dead and down fuel. No fuel from the sled. Bonus points if the Patrol starts their fire without using matches. Bonus points if at least half of the fuel used is naturally occurring dead and down. Bonus points if only one match is used to start fire. Bonus points are awarded by deducting time. #4 TRAIL LUNCH Proper food (fuel for the body) is very important during any strenuous outdoor winter activity. At midday all Patrols will prepare their noon meal at the same location as the fire building competition. Check in with Town Mayor and you will be assigned a judge for your meal preparation event. Do not begin until your judge gives you the go ahead. Patrols will be judged on their skill in building a cooking fire, the adequacy of the meal they plan (Should contain at least 1 item from each of the 4 basic food groups), their skill in preparing the meal, clean up and overall teamwork. Scouts are expected to practice low impact camping, leaving behind no trace of their meal preparation activity. Bring a garbage bag (pack it in pack it out). Patrols can decide their own menu, however it needs to be hot 2012 Mahikan District Klondike Packet Page 9 of 15
and should consist of a hot drink, hot soup and a serving of carbohydrates (bread, pasta, potatoes, etc.) One-dish meals are acceptable as are portioned boil a bag rations. The meal must consist of sufficient liquid nourishment to keep the body properly hydrated. Prepare an extra portion so that your judge is able to sample your work. Patrols may use solid fuel from their sleds and homemade non-liquid fire starters. Stoves are not allowed. Grading: Based on the Patrols ability to build and sustain a good cooking fire and to prepare a meal that is hot, nutritious and filling. Adequate liquid nourishment is important, as is the Patrol s practice of low impact camping. Points will be deducted for each food group that is not represented in the meal. #5 ICE RESCUE This is a timed event. At about noontime during their winter day hike the Patrol decides to take a shortcut across a frozen lake to avoid a popular and heavily used snowmobile trail. As they near the dam on the other side the ice begins to crack and move. Quickly the Patrol tries to make it to shore with the sled. However two members of the Patrol don t make it and fall through the ice. One member touches bottom when the water is up to his chest. He is soaking wet but is able to struggle to shore by himself. The other member is stuck further out on the ice half in and half out of the water but unable to stand or crawl because of the fragile ice around him. The Patrol will be judged on how quickly and effectively they rescue their stranded patrol member from the water and their knowledge of post rescue first aid for both the obvious and not so obvious injuries. The Patrol will be allowed to make use of whatever items they have on their sled and in their daypacks plus whatever else is naturally available in the accident area. Grading: The grading is somewhat subjective due to the multiple tasks that are required to complete this event. The following generally defines what the Grader will be looking for: How fast did the Patrol rescue the final member from the frozen lake? Was anyone else injured or fall in the frozen lake during the rescue? Did they seek help? Did they treat all possible injuries? What is their follow up plan once urgency of the initial rescue and first aid has passed? #6 SNOWSHOE RELAY RACE In order to get to the end of the hike before dark, the patrol must go as quickly as they can. Each Patrol will run a relay race on snowshoes over a set course. Each member of the Patrol will run one leg of the race. Snowshoes will be provided. All Scouts in the Patrol must use the snowshoes provided and they cannot supply their own. Scoring will be based on time and will be averaged to compensate for different patrol sizes. #7 BEAR BAG The Patrol is camping on the trail deep in the Yukon wilderness. Before retiring for the night, they must secure their food and other smellables so wild animals will not consume them during the night. To do this the Patrol must hang a bear bag from a tree. They may do this either by stringing a line between two trees and hanging the bag from this or simply hanging the bag from a strong limb of a tree. In either case, the bag must be at least twelve feet off the ground and at least six feet from all surrounding trees, including trees from which the bag is hung. The rope must also be positioned so a passing bear will not run into it. 2012 Mahikan District Klondike Packet Page 10 of 15
Grading: Grading will be based on how quickly and well the patrol hangs the bag in a way that is sturdy, safe and is at least the proper distances from the ground and from neighboring trees. # 8. Blindfolded Stretcher carry: At this station a member of the patrol s leg has been injured and the patrol expects it has been broken. The other members of the patrol must apply first aid i.e. treat to prevent shock and splint the leg to immobilize it and prevent further damage. They must construct a stretcher using the items on their sled and carry (they cannot use the sled) their injured patrol member to a location he can be evacuated from. Four Scouts must carry the stretcher one on each pole end and they will all be blindfolded. The other Scouts in the patrol, or the Scout being carried on the stretcher in the case of a five-scout patrol must direct the Scouts carrying the stretcher as they negotiate obstacles on their way to the evacuation point. Grading: Grading will be based on 1) how well the Patrol applies the first aid for a suspected broken leg and 2) The time it takes for them to successful negotiate the obstacles to the pickup point. # 9. CROSS CUT SAW/ MAP READING: At this station the patrol must cut a log as rapidly as possible using a two man saw. One Scout can hold the wood while two other Scouts cut the log. The Patrol is allowed to switch sawyers if they desire. The members of the patrol will also be tested on their ability to read topographical map symbols while waiting their turn at the saw. Grading: Grading will be based on the time it takes to cut the log and the number of map symbols the patrol members correctly identify. FINAL EVENT SLED RACE The Sled Race is not a scored event in the Klondike Derby. Instead, it is a separate competition for a trophy. A patrol must have completed a minimum of 6 stations to qualify for the sled race. The racecourse will be laid out on Davitt Pond (or on land if the ice is not thick enough) and will be long enough that it will take several minutes to complete. There will be no jumps or similar obstacles, but there may be turns in the course. The race may be run in heats of approximately four to six sleds each and the winner will be the sled with the fastest time. The winner will receive a trophy and second and third places will receive certificates. The rules for the race are as follows: the judges will make race order and heat assignments. 1. The Bear and Hawk divisions will be combined for the sled race. 2. In order to race, a Patrol must have passed the sled and clothing inspection and must have participated in at least six of the regular Derby events. 3. All gear that has been carried on the sled during the Derby must be carried in the race. 4. Interfering with another sled can result in disqualification. 5. Waxing of sled runners is allowed. 2012 Mahikan District Klondike Packet Page 11 of 15
6. The trophy awarded to the winner can be kept by that Patrol until the 2013 Klondike Derby. The trophy must then be returned so it can be awarded to the winner of the 2013 sled race. 7. All members of the Patrol must compete in the sled race. If members become separated from the team the clock will stop when the last member of the team crosses the finish line. 2012 Mahikan District Klondike Packet Page 12 of 15
2012 KLONDIKE DERBY REGISTRATION FORM (Turn in at check-in. Do not mail to Scout Office) TROOP: DISTRICT/COUNCIL: SCOUTMASTER: REGISTERED SCOUTS: TOTAL FEE ($7/Scout): Renegades and other volunteers: PRE-REGISTRATION CREDIT: TOTAL PARTICIPANTS: BALANCE DUE FOR DERBY: BEAR or HAWK? Patrol Name: KLONDIKE DERBY ROSTER 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 4. 5. 5. 6. 6. 7. 7. 8. 8. BEAR or HAWK? BEAR or HAWK? Patrol Name: Renegades and other volunteers: Patrol Name: Indicate age if under 21 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 4. 5. 5. 6. 6. 7. 7. 8. 8. 2012 Mahikan District Klondike Packet Page 13 of 15
2012 MAHIKAN DISTRICT KLONDIKE DERBY AND FREEZE-OUT PRE-REGISTRATION FORM DUE BY JANUARY 15, 2012 SEND TO: Jake Gotimer at Jacob.gotimer@scouting.org or Twin Rivers Council, BSA 253 Washington Ave. Extension Albany, NY 12205 Our Troop will participate in the Mahikan District 2012 Klondike Derby at Rotary Scout Reservation on January 28, 2012. Troop Number: District: Klondike Leader Contact Name: Address: Phone Number: e-mail: @ Estimated: # of Scouts # of Patrols* Estimated # of Adult Leaders: Extra Patches ($3/each) *Derby Patrols must have a minimum of 4 Scouts and a maximum of 8 Scouts, including the Patrol Leader. Enclosed is our $30 troop pre-registration fee that will be credited toward the total event fee. $ Total pre-registration fee enclosed OR I authorize $ to be drawn from our unit account held at the Council Service Center. (Print Name of Authorized User) (Date) Each Troop should provide at least 2 volunteers (adults or senior scouts) for Town Mayors or other Klondike staff. Please indicate name, address, phone number, email and area of expertise (if any): 2012 Mahikan District Klondike Packet Page 14 of 15
FREEZE-OUT Our Troop will also participate in the Mahikan District 2012 Freeze-Out at Rotary Scout Reservation from January 28, 2012 to January 29, 2012. Estimated # of Scouts: Estimated # of Adult Leaders: 2012 Mahikan District Klondike Packet Page 15 of 15