Alexandria Boy Scout Troop 112 has completed its third consecutive year as the organizers of the Klondike Derby, which attracted 275 scouts and adult leaders to the Hunterdon County Park System's Teetertown Preserve in Califon, Jan. 27-29. The winter scouting event is an annual camp out and leadership and skills competition held nationally since 1949.
"It was a great turnout with 17 Hunterdon County Boy Scout Troops represented," said Klondike Commissioner Tom Callahan. "Coordinating Klondike requires many hours of volunteer commitment from our adult and youth leadership and I am grateful for their steadfast support. We look forward to partnering with Troop 65 of Ringoes as they take over leadership for the Klondike next year."
Troop 112, sponsored by the Alexandria First Presbyterian Church, set up a challenging event for the Scouts. Boy Scout Troops from throughout the county coordinated Klondike stations testing the Scouts skills at fire starting, lashings and knots, compass orientation, lumber jacking, stretcher races, team building and first aid.
The Klondike Sled Race, which continued even without the significant snow that graced the event the previous two years, capped the skills challenge followed by an evening bonfire with numerous skits, jokes, and songs. Continuing the Boy Scouts commitment to community service and the tradition of previous Klondike events, the Scouts collected hundreds of cans of food and soup, which were donated to Hunterdon County food pantries.
Annually, scouting districts throughout the U.S. and Canada host a Klondike Derby event, which is based on the Klondike Gold Rush, but varies by district. For more information on Troop 112 activities, please visit www.bsa-troop112.net and for more information about Scouting where you are, see www.beascout.org.