A total of 14 units, 21 patrols and 208 Klondikers enjoyed the wintry wonderland of Ensign Ranch February 20-21 for our annual Klondike. All but one unit arrived on Friday evening, enjoying a special campfire program complete with four campfires and hot chocolate, along with poems and tales of the great white north! After wintering over on Friday night, we enjoyed a great pancake breakfast on Saturday morning at Wiscombes Cookshack. Then, after going through the Chilkoot Pass Inspection, the patrols got to test their mettle in great challenging events like Bunny Blast BB Shoot, Ice Fishing, Snowman Kill, Yeti Attack, Smoosh Boarding, Tobacco Spitting, Panning for gold, etc -- it was bound to be fun!
KLONDIKE 2009 OBJECTIVE
To create a fun environment for scouts to demonstrate teamwork, skills and the ability to find another way to enjoy extreme conditions, safely and enthusiastically. Adventures and activities are focused around an all-day sled adventure between activities with a "gold-rush" days flavor. Each adventure has been selected to introduce or educate each and every scout in Scout craft skills pertaining to cooking, pioneering, first aid, compass, and teamwork, as well as basic survival techniques and methods. By combining the winter camping experience with the events, the Klondike provides an opportunity for Scouts to experience new challenges while having lots of fun. All troops are encouraged to participate in this great adventure!
When the first Klondike-bound gold miners hit the pass at Chilkoot, the Canadian Mounties stopped them, and would not let them enter the Yukon until they passed certain conditions. This included proper equipment, sufficient supplies and proper attitude. The Klondike will re-create those conditions for those troops willing to test their mettle and take the Klondike Challenge. There will be three parts to the challenge:
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Winter over! Ensign Ranch is a car camp location with plenty of parking. Camp setup by candle and Coleman lantern. Plus, since you are staying Friday night, breakfast will be free, served by District staff!
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Winter prepared! The first event will be to pass inspection on your sled, patrol gear and most important, your personal gear. Without the proper gear, your patrol will not proceed from the Chilkoot pass inspection station.
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Challenge events! There are always a few new ones every year! Once you start the event, your patrol must complete the event to the satisfaction of your Klondike evaluator. Then you can move on to the next challenge. The patrols with the most successfully completed events will be rewarded.
Stay tuned for more info as we update this new Kondike web site!