Troop 130 recently completed building their sled for the upcoming Hiawathaland District Klondike Derby.
The event will take place February 8 at Camp Hiawatha outside of Munising, and will host troops from across the Upper Peninsula. The plan is to celebrate scouting in friendly competition while showcasing their skills.
Starting Friday night, scouts can participate in the polar bear camp out, either in tents or by building their own shelter.
The main event will be held Saturday morning and will begin with sled checks. Each team will be scored on preparedness – based on a list of requirements – and team spirit. Then the competition will begin.
Scouts will receive a map check in and work together to pull or push their packed sled along the course.
Along the route, their skills will be tested. They’ll face challenges in geocaching, ice rescue and first aid on the beach, shelter building, fancy knot tying, extreme fire building, obstacle course and survival puzzle solving, sled slalom, and a snowshoe biathlon. Fun events also include broom ball and a best hot cocoa competition. Scouts are only allowed to use items they have with them on the sled and earn points for their preparedness, knowledge, ability and teamwork.
In preparation for the event, scouts spent several weeks researching sled models before choosing a light and fast design for competition, honing their skills, and taste testing hot cocoa recipes.
