Scouts participate in derby
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP, Lawrence County — About 40 Boy Scouts braved the cold Friday and Saturday to participate in a Klondike Derby at Camp Agawam.
Bruce Gibson, commissioner of the King Beaver District of the Moraine Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America, said these derbies are always popular with scouts.
“They remember this event,” Gibson said.
It included snowshoe making, first aid and lashing. Gibson said scouts received a Klondike patch for participating.
Troop 400 of Mars had five scouts at the event. Scott Ackerman, scoutmaster of Troop 400, said the scouts camped out Friday night in a three-sided shelter.
“It was something,” Ackerman said.
His son, 13-year-old Daniel, was in his first Klondike Derby.
He said his favorite part was doing first aid, where scouts had to move a “victim” about 100 yards to safety. He also enjoyed cooking and eating eggs cooked inside an orange peel.
Samuel Everson, 12, of Troop 400 played the victim in the first aid activity. This was his first derby event as well.
“I really like just spending time with the other boys and making friends,” Everson said.
He enjoyed camping out Friday night.
“It was cold, but it was a lot of fun,” Everson said.
Noah White, 11, of Troop 400 was another Klondike first-timer. He liked learning how to set up a rocket stove, which is a makeshift heater made out of a log that can be used to cook food.
“I think it's awesome,” White said.
Steve Craig, scoutmaster of Troop 743 of New Castle, said his troop had 10 scouts at the event, which he said is a great learning experience for the scouts.
“They learn stuff every time,” Craig said, noting this was his son's sixth time at a derby.In these events, Boy Scouts are more involved in leading, compared to Cub Scout events, where the parents do most of the leading.“The kids, they do it all,” Craig said.In addition to traditional Klondike activities, the event included an ice rescue demonstration by the Neshannock Township Fire Department and a demonstration with a former Army snowshoe racing champion.
