On Saturday, January 15, after a two-year hiatus, nearly 400 Black Swamp Area Council Boy Scouts competed in the 2022 Klondike Derby at Camp Lakota in Defiance. Thirty-two patrols participated in the event, including Bluffton's Tropp 256 and Troop 29G from Edgerton, the first female patrol to participate in a Black Swamp Area Council Klondike Derby.
Event theming helped guide Scouts with the backstory that they were in search of gold during a race across Alaska in the frozen tundra on sleds pulled by dog teams. Scouts participated as a patrol, running an expedition to simulated towns and solving practical problems using basic Scouting skills.
The Patrols received their scorecards and maps at the starting line (“Fee’s Landing”). As the Patrols approached the starting line, they were grouped with other sleds leaving at the same time. The groups departed at 5-minute intervals. All sleds had to travel immediately to “Bear Crossing” (Customs). Their time was recorded on the scorecards and they traveled to the first city. Once the skill was completed at the first stop, the Patrols raced their sleds back to “Bear Crossing” and then to the next city in the order listed on their scorecard.
Upon arrival at each city, the Scouts checked in with the judge at the entrance gate. Arrival times were recorded when the entire patrol and their sled were present. The Patrol members grabbed the necessary equipment for that station from their sled and proceeded to the event area. After completing the event, Patrols checked out with the same judge and then returned to Customs then on to the next city on their scorecard.
After going to all the cities, the Patrol sleds returned to “Bear Crossing” to check out and then immediately traveled to “Fee’s Landing’ (Finish Line). Here, the Patrol’s efforts were recorded.
Each Patrol came prepared for the event, including being able to prepare lunch for themselves, while on the trail of the race. The Scouts learned how to properly prepare for the event and how best to practice. Scout Troops began preparing their Scouts months in advance for this event, which is a highlight of the year for many.
A patrol from Troop 318 from Arlington topped the scoreboard with 418 total points, following by Troop 162 from Cridersville with 409 points and Troop 499 from Tiffin with 397.5 points.
Nearly 60 volunteers worked many hours to bring a special day of learning and adventure for the Scouts.
