Klondike Derby

Klondike Derby information for parents of 67th Winnipeg Scouts and Cub Scouts

Critical info ... 1. The Manitoba Klondike Derby is usudally held the first weekend in March - Saturday for Scouts and Sunday for Cub Scouts.  Both days featured treks on the trails of Camp Amisk, just south of Winnipeg.  For all upcoming derbies, keep in mind that registration deadline is about three weeks beforehand (so, mid-February).  Derby start times for our 67th Winnipeg teams are normally known a few days in advance.  Team names, rosters, and start times will be provided to parents.

2. Once we know our start times, we can a meeting time and place.  The derby will finish late afternoon - actual time will be dependent on how quickly we run the derby.

3. Please ensure your youth is dressed for the outdoors (see below) and has a backpack with water bottle, change of socks, and extra mitts.  The lunch menu has not been set yet, so your youth should plan to bring a full mess kit (plate, bowl, knife, fork, spoon, mug, plastic bag for garbage).  Also, please bring a tin for the bin non-perishable food item to donate to Winnipeg Harvest at the starting line.

More info ... What is the Manitoba Klondike Derby?

The Manitoba Klondike Derby  is an annual event held at the Scouts Canada’s Camp Amisk Park, located across from LaBarriere Park on Waverly Street, 6 km south of the Perimeter Highway. Participating teams run a 3.5 kilometre course through the woodlands of Camp Amisk, using compass and map skills to find ten “Towns” along the trail. At each town a fun and challenging task is given which promotes teamwork, communication, development of outdoor skills, and the collection of “Gold Nugget” rewards.More generally, a Klondike derby is an annual event held by some Scouts Canada councils and some Boy Scouts of America districts during the winter months and is based on the heritage of the Klondike Gold Rush.  See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klondike_derby.Manitoba’s Klondike Derby is an all-weekend event with the Scouts going out on Saturday and the Cub Scouts going out on the Sunday. The event draws teams from throughout the province and takes place at the Manitoba Scout Council's Camp Amisk (located just south of Winnipeg) in the first weekend of March.

The Derby is a contest involving teams of six to eight Cubs or Scouts travelling through the woods of Camp Amisk visiting Klondike "towns" where the "town mayor" assigns a task or activity which tests Scouting and/or teamwork skills.  The tasks vary from year to year but normally include things like first aid, orienteering, traversing a rope bridge, traveling down a zip-line, log sawing, knots and lashing, and fire lighting. "Nuggets" and points are awarded to the team based on how well it performs the task, the speed and the teamwork. The instructions for the tasks are written based on the Klondike gold rush theme. The sleigh is loaded with equipment the team will need. Some of the equipment is mandated by Derby rules, while other items are required for the lunch stop or for the welfare of the youth (extra water, etc).  This equipment is supplied by the 67th Winnipeg Scout Group.  There is a one- hour lunch break were the youth will have to set up a shelter, build a fire and eat their meal.  The Group will provide snacks and a hot lunch.Klondike towns are staffed by a number of dedicated volunteer Scouters, and their families (spouses, children), along with some local Venturer Scout companies.

Why Participate in a Klondike Derby?

The Klondike Derby is a great opportunity to learn outdoor skills in a fun and controlled environment. Although the Derby is run as a competition, with Gold Nuggets and speed contributing to the final score, most teams simply come for the fun and experience.What should I have for Clothing and Gear?

Early March can be very cold, but it can also be quite warm and/or wet.  To enjoy the Derby, it is essential to stay warm and dry.  Dress in layers, with a wind-resistant outer layer.  Cotton clothing (jeans, sweatshirts, sweatpants, etc.) should not be worn next to the skin because it will absorb sweat and snow and make your youth cold. Boots should be waterproof, and socks should be made of wool or other (typically synthetic) material that wicks away perspiration.  If weather is particularly cold, a balaclava, neck tube or scarf should be worn and the nose should be covered.

In addition to warm clothes, proper footwear, warm headgear and sunglasses, please make sure your Cub Scout has a backpack with:

- Two changes of socks

- Extra mitts- Mess kit (mug, plastic bowl, plastic plate, spoon, fork and knife)

- One or two bottles of water

- Any medication they need (ensure leaders are aware of it)

- Plastic bag for dirty dishes

- Sunscreen, if warranted by weather & skin tone

Some tips on clothing

The best way to dress for winter is to follow the 3-layer guideline of layering. Layering gives you the flexibility to add or remove layers, depending on the weather conditions and your activity level. These are the layers that you will want to wear the following.1. Wicking Layer: This is the layer worn next to your skin, usually consisting of long underwear. Look for thermal underwear made of a synthetic - usually polyester - fiber that has "wicking" power. This means the fibers will wick (move) moisture away from your skin and pass it through the fabric so it will evaporate. This keeps you warm, dry and comfortable. Silk also has wicking abilities.  It is a good, natural fabric, but is less durable than synthetics.

Even though it's cold, you will likely sweat - especially when active.  Wet skin can make you cold.  The function of the wicking later is essentially to move moisture away from your skin.

2. Insulating Layer: This middle layer includes sweaters, sweatshirts, vests and pullovers. The purpose of this layer is to keep heat in and cold out, which is accomplished by trapping air between the fibers. Popular insulation materials include fleece (a synthetic material which maintains its insulating ability even when wet and spreads the moisture out so it dries quickly) and wool, which naturally wicks away moisture.

3. Protection Layer: The exterior layer, generally a shell and pants, serves as your guard against the elements of winter. It should repel water from snow, sleet or rain and block the wind, while also letting perspiration evaporate.Most genuine winter shells and pants are made waterproof and breathable to some extent by using tightly woven fabrics teamed with a coating or laminate. This keeps moisture from rain and snow on the outside but allows perspiration to escape, keeping you dry and comfortable.

Depending on weather and type of activity, you may prefer insulated or uninsulated pants and jackets/shells.  Look for functional hoods, cuffs, pockets and zippers for comfortClothing Components

Headwear: Knit hats are the best at keeping your head warm when outdoors in cold weather. Eyewear: Sunglasses are a big help on those sunny spring days when you want to look your coolest, and still deal with bright sunlight glaring off the snow.

Upper Body: Think breathability, think waterproof, think wind proof. Also think about whether your jacket should have a liner or if you want to layer fleece and windproof materials underneath. The layer closest to your skin should be made of some sort of wicking material so it will pull moisture (sweat) off your skin and keep your body dry. Lower Body: Like your upper body, you have to think breathable, waterproof and wind/weather proof. You'll want to put some thought into how many layers you need based on the weather on a given day, but be sure the outer layer allows for some protection against water - snow is based in water you know. Also helpful is to be sure your pants zip up on the side at least up past your boot, so you can cover the boots with the pant and keep moisture out of the boot.

Hands: Mitts are preferable to gloves in colder weather.  Ideally, they should stretch up and tighten over your jacket sleeve to keep snow and cold out.Feet: Obviously you'll want warm (and, particularly in the spring, waterproof) boots. When selecting socks, splurge. Happy feet are a Scout’s best friend. Too-thick socks can limit circulation in your feet, and double layers may lead to chafing.  Warm, lined boots and thin socks are your best bet.  However, be sure to avoid regular cotton socks, as they tend to absorb moisture; wool or synthetic hiking socks are a much better choice.

Check out these videos on the 2016 Klondike Derby - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnY2k6wXoMU and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QErhDx7i-Ew and this coverage from the Winnipeg Free Press (click image to enlarge).

67th Winnipeg Cub Scouts take 2nd place!

44th Klondike Derby - March 2015 ● Click here to view 2015 Klondike Derby Results!

67th Winnipeg Cub Scouts take 1st place!

43rd Klondike Derby – March 2014 ● Click here to view 2014 Klondike Derby Results!

42nd Klondike Derby – March 2013

41st Klondike Derby - March 2012

40th Klondike Derby – March 2011

39th Klondike Derby – March 2010

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