2009 Monadnock District Klondike Derby
Broadcast Email on 1/23/09
Good Day, Monadnock District Scouters:
I have a few updates on the
2/14 "Race to the Poles" Klondike. I apologize in advance for any duplication
of emails, since we don't have a single, comprehensive district email list.
New Map & Sequence of Bases
This shows the schedule for patrols
and a map of where the bases will be located on the lake.
http://troops.scouter.com/nh/troop2nh/klondikeschedtable.html
This
map is part of the expedition "orders" which each patrol will get upon
registration, which doubles as their scoresheet.
Last Base: Racing to
Admundsen for Points
A question was raised regarding whether the racing for
points at the end favored the older or larger patrols.The race is for only 5, 3
or 1 point, minor relative to the 10 points at most bases. To equalize things,
we had added the polar trivia, and we have maxed the points at 8 for the
preparation elements. We're going to stand by our plan as is.
Another
related question: Are all the sleds going to crash at the South Pole, causing
mass casualties? (perhaps we could make this the 8th station??) In fact,
we're going to erect a yellow tape perimeter around Admundsen base. Sleds will
be parked at the perimeter and only the patrol leader may enter to present
orders to Admundsen (Les Weymouth) who will be standing at the pole. Patrol
leaders will be required to WALK once inside the circle.
Penguin
Harpooning/Bolo
Geez, guys, you're taking this way too seriously. There's
more questions about this station than any of the Scout skill stations! We're
creating "atlatls" for use at the Klondike. You have to use ours, which will
level the field. When they're finished, I'll post a picture for you to see
it. Here's the history of it and showing a variety of types:
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/northamerica/before1500/economy/atlatl.htm
http://scouts.lamb-thielen.com/data/PrimitiveCookingFire.htm
The
penguins will be 3 feet tall, made out of corrugated, and the distance will
likely be about 25 feet, but subject to change based on accuracy of the atlatls
after they're built.
The bolos will be made out of rope and tennis
balls, similar to "hillbilly golf."
Judging Food and Firemaking
Food
will be judged separately from the Klondike. We're giving a separate patrol
award for 1st, 2nd & 3rd. for food. No points.
We are NOT judging
firemaking. Just get it built and get your Dutch oven on.
"Mushing" Demo
is Confirmed
We have a dog sled team coming for a demo from 11:30 to 1 p.m.
during lunch. Maureen Marcoux of Kryska Siberians in Bow will be coming with
her team to give the boys some basic information about the sled, the dogs and
the history of mushing. She **may** be able to give some rides, but priority
will be for Webelos. My thinking is that the Webelos would experience
something that just might hook them for Boy Scouts. No matter what, it will be
something to see, and add some authenticity to the event.
www.geocities.com/kryskasiberianhuskies/index.html
Webelos
Program Information
Speaking of Webelos, Phil Shute posted some information
earlier this week which we've put on a web page:
http://troops.scouter.com/nh/troop2nh/09klondikewebelos.html
After
reading the info, if you have questions regarding the event, contact Phil at
pshute@verizon.net . Assistant District Commissioner Lauren Martin also
added this in an email:
This event is for first AND second
year Webelos. It is perfectly allright to combine a sled with boys from both
years. A good size for a sled is 6 - 8 boys. The district can supply
instructions for building a Klondike sled, if you don't have access to one
already. The Webelos Klondike takes place at the same time & location as
the Boy Scout Klondike, but the Webelos course and activities are designed to be
appropriate for these younger Scouts. It is great fun and provides
opportunities for your Webelos to interact with some Boy Scouts. Adults
accompany sleds just for supervision but are not allowed to assist the Scouts
with their challenges. If your pack will have parents coming along but too many
to walk around with your sled, offer to help out on that day! If you
haven't participated in a Webelos Klondike yet- give it a try! You'll all have
fun, you'll get to meet Scouts from around our whole district, and your boys
will feel so proud to realize all that they can do!
As I said at
Roundtable, preparation for this event is more important than in past years.
If you're not prepared in a polar environment, you're gonna die. Please drive
home to your boys to read the guides carefully, and do the homework. We've
tried to construct this so that units who are better prepared and work as a team
will succeed. That's a message I hope they'll take with them anytime they
venture out.
That's all for the moment. I'm glad to see such great
support of the event out there!
Brian Beihl
Scoutmaster,
Troop
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