Scouts win Klondike Derby

"We collected several bags of food which was donated to the Fish Bank. Then we had a Court of Honor in which Joseph Broschart received his Life Scout rank. Cody earned the Boy Scout badge and Tenderfoot rank. Casy earned the Boy Scout badge. First Aid merit badge was earned by Joe Smith, Cody and Casy Wise and Michael Kauffman. Joe Smith also received Painting merit badge.

"Finally, we participated in the Klondike Derby at Camp Baldwin Sat. Feb. 9. This is where Scouts pulled their homemade sleds on a one-mile course.

"The Scouts journeyed through woods, up and down hills and stopped at different activity stations (named after Alaskan towns like Nome and Kodiak) where they were tested on different Scout skills. Usually the Scouts had to use a map and compass to navigate themselves and their sleds to their destinations (each activity station).

"When they arrived at these stations they are timed and tested on their Scouting knowledge, their team work and their problem solving skills. At the end of the day the Scouts got to race their sleds against each other.

St. Mary's Troop 741 received the coveted first place in The Klondike Derby plus they received the "Best Patrol" in which they showed their understanding of what Scouting is all about doing your best as a Patrol, while living by the Boy Scout Oath and Law.

Second place went to Troop 360 of Cook, Wash., and third place Troop 357 of The Dalles. The first through third Place trophies are a mounted piece of Iron Pyrite from Peru while the "Best Patrol" trophy contains real gold.

St. Mary's Troop meets Mondays at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's. All boys ages 11 to 17 are invited to check us out. Our next outing will be an overnighter at White River snowpark Feb. 24 and 25."