Jefferson County Boy Scout Troops #76,#77 & #78 Participate In Annual Klondike Derby
Jefferson County Boy Scout Troops #76 Jefferson City, #78 White Pine and #77 Dandridge recently participated in the 2017 Klondike Derby at Thompson Farm in Baneberry, Tennessee. A weekend event, the Derby offers Scouts the opportunity to combine fun, skill building activities with service work. Around 150 Scouts and Webelos, along with 25 adult leaders, took part in the annual event, which has been a part of Boy Scouting since 1949. In addition to honing their fire starting, first aid and orienteering skills, they also exercised problem solving skills in building race worthy sleds for the multi faceted Derby. The Klondike Derby is typically held during the Winter months and is based on the heritage of the Klondike Gold Rush where gear is transported utilizing homemade sleds.
Saturday morning was spent doing service work, as they filled up a hopper during lake clean-up, and Saturday evening the troops had a campfire award ceremony, with multiple ribbon winners. They also held a solemn and respectful Flag Retirement Ceremony.
Local troops #76, #77 and #78, along with troops from Cocke, Hamblen and Grainger Counties, are a part of the Cherokee District of the Great Smoky Mountain Council.
