Tarkio Boy Scouts Josh Schlueter and Owen Vette helped lead their “Crocs” team to a third place finish in the Klondike Derby. (Matt Schlueter photo)

The Pony Express Council of Boy Scouts of America held the annual Klondike Derby Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Camp Farwesta near Stewartsville, Missouri. Troop 88 of Tarkio was represented by Josh Schlueter and Owen Vette. Josh and Owen paired up with four other scouts from Troop 87 of Cameron, Missouri, to form a team for the derby. Their team, the Crocs, placed third overall out of nearly 20 teams and won first place in the coveted sled race.

Scouts bundled up to battle temperatures in the teens and single digits most of the day. They spent the morning and afternoon participating in stations as part of the competition. During an extended lunch, scouts ventured inside to warm up for the afternoon. After the competitions, troops prepared food and enjoyed a potluck dinner while awaiting the awards ceremony.

Throughout the day, teams were scored at various stations including fire starting, first aid, blindfolded sled maneuvering, tomahawk throwing, bridge lashing, snowshoe relay and snow wall volleyball. In addition to completing these tasks, scouts were scored on teamwork, knowledge and patrol spirit.

Highlights of the derby included the annual sled race, which members of Troop 88 have won the last three years. Bridge lashing required scouts to bind together poles and rope to form a bridge that one member of the team was required to cross. Additionally, the first aid station had scouts rescuing an “injured” scout by securing a “broken” leg, making a makeshift stretcher from poles and a bedsheet, then moving the victim safely up the hill using their Klondike sled.