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Boy Scouts test skills at Klondike Derby
Published 06:58 a.m., February 5, 2010
Imagine this … on a recent Saturday afternoon, while braving freezing temperatures, 5 young men are 15 miles into a wilderness hike when one falls through the ice and deeply lacerates his inner thigh on a piece of jagged ice. The others quickly combine their efforts and are able to get the young man safely onto shore. They then begin treating him for hypothermia, assess his leg injury, and begin first aid with the limited items they have with them. Two young men are sent to get more help.
It could have been a scene from a heroic rescue. Instead, it was one of many scenes at the annual Klondike Derby where 25 Boy Scouts from Troops 325 (Underwood), 304 (Fergus Falls), and 302 (Fergus Falls) gathered to put their scouting skills to the test. This year’s event was hosted by the Underwood Troop and held at Glendalough State Park near Battle Lake on Saturday, January 30th.
Based on the heritage of the Klondike Gold Rush, the Klondike Derby is a traditional winter event in which teams of Boy Scouts pull homemade sleds on a challenging course, stopping at various stations during the competition. At each station, teams carry out a task that requires some of the many skills scouts learn and practice, such as fire building, first aid, orienteering, and survival techniques. Points are awarded at each station based on quality of performance, accuracy, speed and leadership abilities. The day is capped off with the most anticipated race of all, a Klondike sled race, where scout troops compete against each other as they pull one of their own in a sled around an obstacle course.
This year’s race was extremely close in points! First place honors went to Underwood’s Troop 325’s patrol consisting of Steffan Stroh, EB Floersch III, Neil Turner, Jay Turner, Justin Mark, and Aaron Thompson.
This derby would not have been the great success it was without the participation of many adults volunteers. Special thanks to Scott Rocholl who coordinated this event; Underwood Scout Master Don Glesne, Station Managers Pete Eikeland, Chuck Vukonich, Steve Jensen, Eagle Scouts Brian Boss and Paul Vukonich; and Jeff Wiersma (DNR) of Glendalough State Park. Prize donations for this event were given by Wal-Mart, Fleet Farm, ACS, Park Region Telephone, and Nelson Auto Center.
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