On the weekend of January 24-26, Scouts and Scouters from around the council gathered for the Klondike Derby – a winter competition camp held in the Umpqua National Forest near Lemolo Lake. This year, more than 140 Scouts and 70 adults attended the annual event which has been taking place for over 40 years.

Many of the fifteen troops who participated in the event opted to camp on Friday night, which offers Scouts an extra challenge of camping in the snow and cold temperatures. Those who did were treated to a star-filled clear night sky while they earned their “frost points” as temperatures dipped well below freezing at around 12° F.

As the sun began to rise on Saturday – competition day – the Klondike Derby site came alive with the many Scouts who braved the cold night and many more arriving for the day. After checking in, Scouts gathered in their patrols for the opening ceremonies and then head off on their adventure for the day.

At Klondike, patrols travel to eight different stations, earning points along the way. While some of the stations were focused on teamwork and fun while others challenged the Scouts by putting their Scouting skills to test in the field. Patrols earned points at each station for completing the required task, demonstrating proper skill techniques, working together as a team, and showing Scout spirit.

This year, the patrols competed in the following stations:

• First Aid: Members of the patrol had to treat their injured patrol leader and transport them using a stretcher that they built.
• Shelter Building: Using the supplies that they brought with them, the patrols were tasked with building a shelter that would sufficiently protect a member of the patrol from the elements.
• Fire Building: Patrols had to build a fire using their own materials that was hot enough to pop a kernel of popcorn in a Dutch oven.
• Tarp Toss: Working together as a team, the patrols tossed items using a tarp.
• Flagpole Lash: Using some basic lashing skills, patrols lashed a structure to raise their patrol flag.
• Branding: A fun break from using their Scouting knowledge, Scouts got the opportunity to brand a wooden round using a variety of different branding irons.
• Move the Can: Using some knot knowledge and a lot of teamwork, patrols had to move tin can on a round platform using ropes attached with the bowline.
• Ravine Crossing: A Klondike staple – patrols have to get their patrol sled across a ravine using a series of ropes.

After the final station, patrol leaders turned in their finished scorecards and gathered for the closing ceremony and award presentations. Every patrol and troop that participated in the event received a ribbon for their patrol or troop flag, but the top three patrols with the most points overall in the competition received a custom trophy featuring a Klondike patch and “gold nuggets” on reclaimed wood from projects at Camp Baker.

• 3^rd Place: Eagles of Troop 12 from Springfield
• 2^nd Place: Flaming Potatoes of Troop 114 from Roseburg
• 1^St Place: Waddling Ducks of Troop 61 from Eugene

While not every patrol scored well in the competitions, every Scout had fun and learned a lot along the way.

A special thanks to the Umpqua National Forest, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Klondike chair Dan Bouck, and all of the amazing adult volunteers who made the event a success. Preparations are already underway for an event better event next year, so make sure to join us for the 2026 Klondike Derby!