Scouts hold Klondike weekend at Camp Bomazeen

Willow Mudie is a Scout in Augusta Troop #603. This was her second Klondike Derby. “It was pretty chilly,” she said. “I wore sweat pants, ski pants, scarf, hat, two layers of sweatshirts, three layers of gloves and a big, comfy coat.”

by Chuck Mahaleris

Gerard Fortin, of Winslow, was as jolly as St. Nick dressed in his Santa hat and sweatshirt. He is a member of Troop #433. “It’s fun” he said, while his team was stopped outside McCurdy Lodge.

Despite the 14 degree temperature, Camp Bomazeen, in Belgrade, played host on Saturday, January 20, to an outdoor competition between Brown Bears, Northern Pike, Falcons, Arctic Sharks, a Wolf Pack, Antarctic Polar Sturgeon, and Spicy Meatballs. Those were the names of some of the Patrols of Scouts assembled to vie for the top spot in the annual Klondike Derby. The theme this year was the Polar Express and like in the movie, Scouts received a bell at each station with the word “Believe” engraved on it.

Julie McKenne,y of Belgrade, activities director for Kennebec Valley District, chaired the team of volunteers who organized the event attracting Scouts from 12 troops from Farmington to Damariscotta, and from Skowhegan to Bath. The Scouts competed as a patrol in stations that stressed teamwork to overcome challenges of such traditional Scout skills as fire building, outdoor cooking, winter safety, first aid and leadership training.

Millard Davis, of Clinton, is an assistant scoutmaster of Winslow Troop #433, and ran one of the stations. At his area, Scouts had to work together to get their entire sled over a large mound of snow and then return. “They had to work together to figure out what was the best way and the safest way to get their sled up and over the steep incline,” Davis said. “The ones who worked together completed the task quicker than those who spent more time arguing. We want them to practice teamwork.”

Asher Merrill, from Richmond, is a member of Troop #621, in Bath, and was having fun pushing the dog sled around camp as his patrol made their way from one activity station to the next. “It is fun,” he said from under his protective layers of clothing. Though only a Tenderfoot Scout, this was Asher’s second Klondike Derby and he knew that having fun began by dressing for the weather.

Willow Mudie is a Scout in Augusta Troop #603. This was her second Klondike Derby. “It was pretty chilly,” she said. “I wore sweat pants, ski pants, scarf, hat, two layers of sweatshirts, three layers of gloves and a big, comfy coat.”

Safety was a major concern for Scout leaders as well. Each station had a fire pit where Scouts could get warm and extra hats and gloves were available in case any Scout found themselves with wet, cold hands. “We also had McCurdy lodge where Scouts could go to get warm,” McKenney said. “Or they could get cocoa or soup there as well. We want everyone to have a great time at camp and that means staying warm.”

Photos by Chuck Mahaleris

Winston Duchette lives in Winthrop and is a member of Troop #603, in Augusta. He was a “Victim” half buried in snow waiting to be rescued during the Klondike Derby.