HEARTLAND DISTRICT 2018 Winter Camporee Leader's Guide Welcome to Heartland District’s 2018 Winter Camporee! The Camporee will take place February 9-11, 2018 at Common Ground, located in Stanley, NC. Registration Fee for the Camporee is $10.00 per person. The theme for Winter Camporee is Klondike Derby and will consist of Patrol competitions scored on leadership, teamwork, Scout Spirit, and skills. Troops will sign up via an online Google Form available on the Heartland District webpage. This will confirm your Troop is attending, number of Scouts, number of adults, and names of OA members who will serve on staff. Please submit this information as soon as possible. The registration forms and fees will be collected at check-in on Friday night. WHAT IS A KLONDIKE DERBY? In August 1896, prospectors discovered gold in the remote Klondike region of Canada's Yukon Territory. In July 1897, the S.S. Portland arrived in Seattle, Washington, with more than a ton of Klondike gold on board. This event touched off the great Klondike Gold Rush as thousands of people who dreamed of becoming wealthy began booking passage on steamers heading north from Seattle and other West Coast ports to the Yukon. Upon arriving at the northern end of the Inside Passage, however, these adventure-bound stampeders found no easy route leading to the still distant Klondike region. Their progress was slow as each prospector made repeated trips over the rugged trail through the bitter cold. Imagine pulling a sled loaded with three to six hundred pounds of supplies over a stretch of ice up a steep grade, strewn with boulders and logs, then crossing over a river bed on a couple of trees laid side by side and you get a picture of their labors. Facing 60-mile-an-hour winds in 65-degree-below-zero weather, the prospectors had to ascend the Chilkoot Pass -- 1,000 feet straight up. With a steady stream of stampeders lining the path each day, it took forty trips to get a ton of supplies up the mountain. Those who survived the mountain then faced a treacherous passage by boat to the town of Dawson near the gold fields. Since 1949, Boy Scout Troops have been participating in Klondike Derbies as a way to honor this historic time. Scouts pull a sled loaded with supplies from station to station and compete in various Scout skills based events. We are carrying on that tradition! Get your sleds ready!
CHECK-IN Below is a Google Map link to the entrance of Camp Yukon. Units should check-in between 5pm and 8pm on Friday February 9th. Upon arrival, a member of staff will direct your Troop to their campsite. While the Troop sets up camp, a representative from your Troop will report to Camp Yukon Headquarters to turn in registration forms / fees and pick up a welcome packet. If your Troop would like
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to conduct an OA Election Friday evening, please let us know and we will send an Election Team to your campsite. We will conduct a Callout Ceremony during the campfire Saturday evening. Troops should bring their Troop flags to the opening ceremony (Saturday morning). After the opening ceremony, Troops will post their flag in the flag rack situated at the Camp Yukon HQ. Common Ground - Camporee Entrance (opens a Google Map) CAMPSITES Troops will be camping in a field adjacent to the activity area. OA Members serving on staff will camp in a separate campsite near Camp Yukon HQ. Troop trailers are the only vehicles allowed to remain in the campsite. All other vehicles will be parked in a designated area. No fires are allowed in the individual campsites. UNIFORM AND DRESS Scouts and leaders should travel to and from Camp Yukon in Field Uniforms (Class A). Field Uniforms are required at all assemblies (Friday evening, Saturday evening, and Sunday morning). Class B is the uniform of the day for the activities Saturday morning and afternoon. CLOTHING BE PREPARED for cold weather. During the event, keep a close watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite. If anyone displays suspected symptoms, have a buddy take him immediately to the warming station (Camp Yukon HQ). Keep hydrated to avoid hypothermia. The following is the recommended (not required) LAYERED clothing that each Scout should wear and/or bring: o o o o o o o o o o
Long underwear or other warm layers covering entire body Wool or other warm socks Sweater or fleece Snow pants Winter coat Neck gaiter or scarf Winter hat Gloves Insulated winter boots; No sneakers or running shoes Wool or other warm socks
We strongly recommend layered clothing so you can shed outer layers during periods of high activity and put them back on to stay warm while you’re sitting down to eat lunch on the trail. Please wear proper footwear – boots or hard soled shoes. More tips regarding cold weather camping are attached.
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FIRST AID There will be no First Aid Station. All Scouts and adult leaders are required to have health forms on site. All units must bring their own first aid equipment and keep them easily accessible. Emergencies and serious first aid incidents must be reported immediately to the Klondike Derby Staff. FACILITIES Camp Yukon is a field setting. Prepare accordingly. There is running water available, but located several hundred yards away. A water buffalo will be located near the camping area. Port-a-Jons will be located near the camping area.
FOOD Each Troop is responsible to provide food for all of its participants for the entire event. Patrol cooking is encouraged. Plan to cook on camp stoves. Saturday lunch will be on the trail. For OA members serving on staff, food will be provided.
COMPETITION AND ACTIVITIES The weekend will be filled with FUN and competition. Scouts will compete as a Patrol (5-8 Scouts). At the SPL/SM Cracker Barrel, the SPL will receive Patrol packets containing the following items: o o o o o
Start point (Town) Patrol Instruction Sheet Map of Camp Yukon Nugget Sack Schedule of Events
Patrols will start at an assigned location. As they arrive at each town along the trail, they will be asked to complete a timed, challenging activity which requires basic Scout skills and problem solving. The Patrol will be scored on Patrol Method (teamwork), Scout skills ability, and Scout Spirit. The Patrol Leader's effectiveness as a leader also part of the scoring. At the scheduled time, the Patrol will travel to the next town. Note: The Patrol may run out of time while attempting the task. That's OK. Task completion is only a fraction of available points for each station. Demonstrating a good working knowledge of Scout skills and displaying Scout Spirit carries more points!
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WEBELOS Weather permitting, Webelos Dens are invited to attend and camp with their Troop. The camporee is an excellent opportunity for them to complete requirements for the Outdoorsman Pin and Arrow of Light. Regarding the competition, the following will apply: o o o o
They MUST have a Den Leader present at all times They are not required to have a sled or other supplies and equipment They will be scored based their age-appropriate abilities and skills They will compete only against other Webelos Dens
In order to receive an event patch, they must register (on the separate registration form) and pay with their host Troop. DUTCH OVEN CRACKER BARREL (SATURDAY NIGHT) Immediately following the campfire, Scouts will be rewarded with desserts. Each Troop should provide a Dutch oven dessert prior to the campfire for judging. If you will not be preparing a dessert for judging, please provide snacks to assist feeding your unit. CHECK OUT After the Interfaith Worship Service Sunday morning, all Troops will return to their campsites to strike camp and clean the site using the principles of LEAVE NO TRACE. When ready, send a runner to Camp Yukon HQ and an inspector will return with your runner. Once the campsite is cleared, the inspector will give the SPL the Troop's packet containing the event patches and other information. The packet is the pass to exit Camp Yukon. QUESTIONS? Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions: Ryan Brown
[email protected] Winter Camporee Coordinator
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Adam McCarrison
[email protected] Heartland District Executive
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SCHEDULE Friday, February 9th 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Check-in / Set up Camp
8:30 pm
SPL/SM Cracker Barrel
10:00 pm
Call to Quarters
11:00 pm
Taps / Lights Out
Saturday, February 10th 7:00 am
Reveille
7:00 am - 9:00 am
Breakfast / Clean up
9:00 am
Opening Ceremony (Flag Pole)
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Morning Session
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Afternoon Session
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
SM Time (Scouts prepare supper & Dutch oven dessert, practice skit)
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Supper / Clean up
7:00 pm
Campfire Program o o o o
Skits (Each Troop to perform a skit) Awards OA Call-out Ceremony Flag Retirement Ceremony
9:00 pm
Cracker Barrel - Dutch oven dessert
10:00 pm
Call to Quarters
11:00 pm
Taps / Lights Out
Sunday, February 11th 7:00 am
Reveille
7:00 am - 9:00 am
Breakfast / Clean up
9:00 am
Interfaith Worship Service (Campfire Ring)
10:00 am
Load / Checkout
Note: Schedule subject to change
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IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT WINTER CAMPING 1. You warm the sleeping bag; it does not warm you! Plan to dress lightly and change into clean clothes (including underwear) when you retire for the night. The clothes you wear during a regular day may contain up to ½ pint of moisture from normal perspiration and increase your risk of hypothermia during the night. 2. A closed-cell foam sleeping pad is a great insulator from the cold ground. An air mattress and cots are cold in the winter! If you do not have a sleeping bag rated to at least 10-15 degrees F, bring an extra wool blanket. A fleece liner in your sleeping bag can also provide an extra layer of warmth. 3. You should pack all clothes in heavy-duty plastic bags (1 gallon Ziploc) before you pack them in your back pack or duffel bag. Natural moisture in your fresh clothes can be uncomfortable when you get dressed in the morning. Generally, backpacks and duffel bags are not waterproof and might absorb moisture. 4. Wearing a winter hat while you sleep is helpful; remember the chimney effect. When you wear a hat, your body stays warmer. 70% of heat loss from the body is through the head. 5. Waterproof your shoes or boots with a waterproofing spray before your camping trip. 6. Change all of your clothes (including your underwear) just before you go to bed. 7. Putting some of the clothes you will wear the next day inside your sleeping bag when you go to bed will warm them up. Always bring at least one extra pair of wool socks for emergencies. 8. Ventilate your tent at night. A closed tent allows condensation to build up on the roof of the tent and it might “rain” in your tent. 9. If you are cold or get wet, tell your leaders. Don’t wait until you are numb or until the early morning hours. Learn the symptoms of hypothermia before going winter camping and learn how to prevent it. 10. No one will have extra clothes or equipment to loan you should yours become wet. Take a few precautions to stay warm and dry. If you have questions, get the answers before you leave home. 11. Eat lots of complex carbohydrates, and protein (i.e., meats, pasta, fruits and veggies, nuts, peanut butter, cheese, salami). Sweets will not sustain you. 12. Drink lots of water to avoid dehydration. Warm drinks can keep you warm. 13. Be prepared:
Dress Warm - Layers
Keep Warm - Feet, Head and Hands
Sleep Warm - Change into dry clothes
Eat and Drink Warm - Healthy food
Think Warm - Keep a Positive Mental Attitude!
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Keeping warm is the most important part of cold weather camping. Use the C-O-L-D method to ensure staying warm. C - CLEAN Since insulation is only effective when heat is trapped by dead air spaces, keep your insulating layers clean and fluffy. Dirt, grime, and perspiration can mat down those air spaces and reduce the warmth of a garment. O - OVERHEATING Avoid overheating by adjusting the layers of your clothing to meet the outside temperature and the exertions of your activities. Excessive sweating can dampen your garments and cause chilling later on. L - LOOSE LAYERS A steady flow of warm blood is essential to keep all parts of your body heated. Wear several loosely fitting layers of clothing and footgear that will allow maximum insulation without impeding your circulation. D - DRY Damp clothing and skin can cause your body to cool quickly, possibly leading to frostbite and hypothermia. Keep dry by avoiding cotton clothes that absorb moisture. Always brush away snow that is on your clothes before you enter a heated area. Keep the clothing around your neck loosened so that body heat and moisture can escape instead of soaking several layers of clothing.
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Sled, Patrol & Personal Equipment Lightweight, all terrain sled Patrol Flag (mounted on a pole) Boy Scout Handbook 1 copy of Leader's Guide Large Ziploc bag for paperwork Patrol first aid kit Cooking pot 1 blanket 1 8ft x 10ft tarp 1 camp shovel 3 each 6-feet long staves (durable) 1 axe or hatchet with cover 1 bow saw with cover 50 feet of 3/8 inch rope 4 tent stakes
1 daypack per Scout (for personal items) 1 drinking cup per Scout 1 water bottle per Scout Totin' Chip card per Scout Rain gear for each Scout Watch Notepad, pen/pencil 1 flashlight 1 pair leather gloves 1 pair safety glasses Fire starting materials (no chemicals) Duct tape Pocket knife Compass
Use plastic totes for Patrol gear. Personal gear should be packed in daypacks and carried (tied) on the sleds.
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