Our annual Manitoga District Webelos Klondike is a great winter outdoor scouting event.  Webelos have fun while learning and practicing a variety of scout skills and doing fun activities at the stations, and racing their Klondike sleds.

Different from past years when adults ran the event, Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 174 in Yorktown Heights will organize and run the Webelos Klondike.  Crew 2279 in Tarrytown will run the Ice Rescue Station, and provide First Aid support.

Parents are encouraged to attend the Klondike.  Bring your camera.

Schedule:

• 9:00 a.m.   Check in for pre-registered groups only is at the stone Concession Stand building located near Parking Lot #1.  An adult from your sled group must present your completed Sled Roster form and your sled’s can of hot cocoa mix.  Then, your Webelos pull their sled to the inspection area.  Please present your group and your sled, which should contain all the requested items, for inspection.
• 9:40 a.m.   Opening ceremony and announcements
• 9:50 a.m.   Stations:
• Fire starting
• First aid
• Group snowshoeing
• Knife and ax
• Knot challenge
• Ice rescue
• Kim's Game
• Orienteering
• Rescue knots
• Sled obstacle course
• 12:30 p.m.  Lunch
• 1:15 p.m.    Sled races
• 1:45 p.m.    Closing ceremony

What to bring:

• Personal items:
• Bag lunch and beverage
• Hot cup, labeled with your name and Pack number, for hot cocoa.
• Appropriate clothing and footwear, raingear (if needed)
• Pack or den items:
• Large (26 ounces) can of hot cocoa mix to donate per sled at check-in
• Sturdy Klondike sled for every 6 Webelos (suggested maximum)
• Sled supplies.  Each sled will be inspected for the presence of these items.
• First aid kit
• Two 6 ft. poles
• Blanket
• Flint and steel set per pair of Webelos
• 6 ft. rope per Webelos
• Tarp
• Plastic garbage bag
• Flag made by Webelos
• One Silva-type base compass per sled (recommended, but not essential)

Sleds:  Packs or dens bring sleds, which may be borrowed from a Boy Scout troop or built by the Webelos den.  A list of Boy Scout troops is at http://www.wpcbsa.org/District/Manitoga/   A suggested sled construction plan is at https://bsatroop174.tripod.com/Y2002/KbSledA.gif  If carefully constructed your sled can be used year after year by other members of your Pack.

• Each sled must have a minimum of two adults, one of whom must be a registered leader.
• No one is allowed to ride in the sled.
• Sled supplies must be secured so they do not fall out of the sled during the Klondike.  Using the tarp to line the sled and securing the supplies on top of the tarp usually works well.
• Each sled group should choose a Klondike den name and create a flag, which is attached to their sled for identification and den spirit.

• No part of the sled or Webelos may be over the starting line at the start.
• No one may ride in the sled.
• No lifting the sled off the ground
• The whole sled and all the sled members have to cross over the finish line.
• The judges' decision is final.
• Safety for all the participants is critical.  Reckless behavior will cause elimination.

Clothing:  Proper winter clothing and footwear are essential for the comfort of all participants.  Dress for the weather.  Avoid cotton.  Clothing should be worn in layers.  Proper footwear includes winter waterproof boots or rubber boots, depending on conditions.  Bring raingear, if needed.   Hats, gloves, jackets, and boots are mandatory.  NO SNEAKERS!

Conduct and Sportmanship:  The Scout Law and Outdoor Code must be followed at all times.

Scout Law:  “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”

Boy Scouts of America Outdoor Code:  “As an American, I will do my best to be clean in my outdoor manners, be careful with fire, be considerate in the outdoors, and be conservation-minded.”

Cub Scout leaders and parents are responsible for their boys.  They should know where their boys are, what they are doing, encourage good sportsmanship, and maintain order and discipline.

Fires:  Ground fires are prohibited.

First aid:  Emergency first aid is available at the stone Concession Stand building.

Garbage:  Use the garbage bag in your sled.  FDR State Park is a carry-in, carry-out park, so each group must take its garbage home.

Location:  FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights.  From the Taconic State Parkway, take the “FDR State Park” exit.   The Webelos Klondike is near Parking Lot #1.

Parking:  Park in Parking Lot #1 in the FDR State Park.

Restrooms:  Restrooms are in the stone Concession Stand building.

Cancellation:  The Klondike will be held whether there is snow or not.  The Klondike will not be cancelled due to snow because this is a winter outdoor event.  However, in case of hazardous driving conditions listen to the WHUD 100.7 FM radio station.

Event Information:  Margaret L., volunteer   (914) 962-1032   9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Event Chairman:  Christopher Long, Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 174 in Yorktown Heights