ST & WR Polar Bear
Polar Bear
Jan. 23-24, 2026
Hosted by Scenic Trails District
Camp Gorton
Troops and Crews from all Districts in Great Falls Council are welcome to participate in a grand Iditarod-style Sled Race through the frozen tundras of Camp Gorton! (scout propelled sleds only, dogs are not allowed)
Camp Friday night or join for the day on Saturday.
Competitions
The day will be filled with FUN and competition. Scouts must remain with their patrols for the day to make the competition fair. Several activity stations will be set up throughout camp. Scouts will compete by participating in a variety of activities which will require them to demonstrate basic Scouting skills, teamwork, and problem solving while showing Scout Spirit! The list of stations and a map will be provided to each patrol at check-in.
Scouts will be challenged to face the frozen tundra, just as the bold competitors of the legendary Iditarod.
Leaders
Volunteers are welcomed from all units and encouraged to contact an event chair to see how you can help. We need to be able to staff each event for this to be a success for everyone.
Units wishing to rent a cabin or campsite Friday night should make a reservation at: https://campreservation.com/375/Home
Polar Bear Rules
Read the challenges. Each team is responsible to have everything they will need on this trek, listed under Require Sled Cargo in the Leaders Guide.
- Sleds are to be constructed by youth.
- Sleds must have at least 2 wheels or skies attached and be functional.
- All sleds must be propelled only by Scouts.
- Patrols should be prepared to have sleds travel over rough terrain.
- All Sleds will be inspected prior to the start of the event for safety.
- Patrols consist of a minimum of 4 Scouts or maximum of 8 Scouts. Teams must finish with the same number of participants you start out with.
- Patrols must attempt all challenges.
- Patrols must follow the designated rotation.
- Patrols must have everything secured on their sled or carried by Scouts in their Patrol or Unit.
Registration:
Saturday Only: $20 per Scout/Adult Leader
Friday and Saturday: $22 per Scout/Adult Leader
Late Fee if registering after January 3rd: +$10 per Scout/Adult Leader
Registration closes: January 18th 2026
Registration Note: You will need your Scouting America ID at time of registration. This is used to verify current registration in the Scouting America program. This can be found in my.scouting.org. For members of your Unit this can be found under the Roster in my.scouting.org or under the profile in Scoutbook Plus. IF you logged in and have access to your Unit Roster this will automatically fill in, if you use Auto Fill.
Meals
Crackerbarrel will be provided Friday night at no additional charge. Meals will be available in the Dining Hall for Saturday breakfast, and Saturday lunch. Please select your meal orders in registration. All meals come with applesause and chips. Troops and Crew can decide to cook their own breakfast. There is no on-site purchasing, all meals must be prepurchased.
- Breakfast Sandwiches on Saturday morning $2
- Hamburger $4
- Cheeseburger: $4.50
- Hot Dog: $3
- Cheese Pizza: $12 (serves 4)
- Pepperoni Pizza: $13 (serves 4)
Schedule & Program -
Friday, January 23, 2026
6:00 pm- 8:00 pm Check-in/Registration at HQ
8:00 pm - 8:45 pm Cracker Barrel and CornHole Tournament
8:45 pm - 9:30 pm Jeopardy
9:30 pm Camp Fire in Dining Hall (units requested to provide Songs, Skits and Cheers)
11:00pm Return to camp and Lights Out following Camp Fire program
Saturday, January 24, 2026
7:00 am – 9:00 am Breakfast Sandwiches available to those units with pre-orders.
8:45 am – 9:30 am Check-in / Registration at HQ.
9:30 am Opening ceremony on the Parade Field.
9:45 am – 12:15 pm Morning Stations (Stations close at 12:15 pm).
12:25 pm – 1:25 pm Lunch in the Dining Hall or cooking.
1:35 pm – 4:05 pm Afternoon Stations (Stations close at 4:05 pm)
Units need to submit their scoring sheets to staff in the dining hall.
4:15 pm - 4:35 pm Clean-up of main camp areas (Dining Hall, Main Bathroom, parade field)
4:40 pm Colors on Parade Field.
4:50 pm Prize Distribution.
5:00 pm Program Concludes.
Please be sure Scouts and adults are dressed properly, it’s going to be cold and snowy! Gloves, hats, boots, and layers.
Required Sled Cargo
Each Patrol Sled MUST include these items. Patrols lacking these materials may lose points on events that require them.
- All-terrain sled (wheels/skies) Ball of twine for lashing
- Boy Scout Handbook Blanket
- Safety Glasses
- Compass
- Axe or hatchet with Cover
- Cup or Water Bottle per each Scout
- Leather Gloves for each Scout
- Roll of Duct Tape
- Tinder for fire starting
- First-Aid Kit
- Flashlight
- Bandages and First Aid supplies for challenges
- Flint & Steel or Hot Spark
- 10 ft. x 10 ft. Tarp A Pencil & Paper for each Scout
- 30 ft. of Rope (1/4” – 1/2" in width)
- Pocket Knife for each Scout
- Three Hiking Staves
- Rain Gear for each Scout
- Patrol Flag if available
- Matches for Fire Starting
- Patrol Roster
- Trash Bag
- Totin’ Chip and Fireman Chit card per Scout
- Gallon Size Ziploc Bag for Paperwork
- One Copy of Leader’s Guide
- Smoosh Skis
- Each unit interested in competing in the Smoosh Ski race must have their own smoosh skis.
- Teams of 4 Scouts line up on two 6-foot 2x4s and race.
- The skis will be 2 x 4’s that must be 6 feet long.
- The skis may have a rope in the front for the front scout to hold on to.
- The unit may create toe pockets on the boards by use of leather straps, webbing, etc. for foothold.
- Units MAY NOT mount boots or shoes to the boards.
- Racers must be evenly spaced.
- Each team must have between 3-4 racers.
- The bottom of the 2 x 4’s must be natural wood – no paint, cleats, traction, wax, grooves, etc.
- Skis will be inspected before the race begins.
Polar Bear Rules
- Read the challenges. Each team is responsible to have everything they will need on this trek, listed on Require Sled Cargo above.
- Sleds must have at least 2 wheels or skies attached and be functional.
- All sleds must be propelled only by Scouts.
- Patrols should be prepared to have sleds travel over rough terrain.
- All Sleds will be inspected prior to the start of the event for safety.
- Patrols consist of a minimum of 4 Scouts or maximum of 8 Scouts. Teams must finish with the same number of participants you start out with.
- Patrols must attempt all challenges.
- Patrols must follow the designated rotation.
- Patrols must have everything secured on their sled or carried by Scouts in their Patrol or Unit.
Gorton Bonus Polar Points
- If Troop/Venture Crew registers a new Scout between Thanksgiving and Christmas each unit will receive 50 Polar Points for each new Scout/Ventures.
- If unit brings food goods for the food pantry you will receive one Polar Point for every two items (maximum 50 Polar Points).
- Polar Points are awarded for sleeping outside. The colder it is, the more you earn. Schedule as listed:
- Friday night +30 degrees 10 Polar Points
- 30-15 degrees 20 coins
- 15 degrees or below 40 coins
- 10 Polar Points for each adult volunteer from Troop/Venturing Crew (max 20 per unit)
- 20 Polar Points if Troop/Venture Crew attempts EVERY challenge
- 20 Polar Points for filling out an evaluation of the event before the auction
2026 Polar Bear Events List
.22 Rifle
A good outdoorsman should know how to handle a gun both effectively and safely. If you can make an accurate shot in the shivering cold, you can do it anywhere!
Please reserve a timeslot Saturday morning during check-in
Archery
A bow and arrow is just as fun as a rifle, but you can fire the same arrow more than once! Can Jesse teach you to use a bow with mittens on? I don’t know, you’ll have to ask him.
Please reserve a timeslot Saturday morning during check-in
Fire Building
The weather may be frightful, but the fire is so delightful. Learn to stay warm in the outdoors by building a fire, and compete to do it the fastest.
Wood Burning Bowls
Who among us hasn’t occasionally forgotten their mess kit when packing for a campout? Well with a little ingenuity, a good scout can get everything he needs from nature, fine dining included. Learn the ancient art of using fire as a woodworking tool.
Mallet Building
Anyone who has had to set up a tent on frozen ground will tell you that you can’t just push in the stakes. Learn how to use simple woods tools (no drill or auger necessary) to turn a simple fallen tree branch into a useful tool you can bring on future campouts.
Shelter Building
Nothing expresses a true mastery of outdoorsmanship quite like the ability to make a little piece of indoors out of the outdoors. If we have enough snow, then we will focus on snow shelters. I for one have my fingers crossed, I want to see some igloos!
Retrieve the Supplies
Oh no! A bag of supplies has fallen from your sled, and landed all the way across a ravine/river/obstacle! You’ll have to use your scouting skills to retrieve them. Good thing you know your lashings, right?
Winter First Aid
In our state of the art simulation chamber (the dining hall) we can recreate emergency situations that you might encounter in the outdoors. Come to show off your first aid knowledge and skills. And your acting skills as a victim.
Ice Field
The treacherous ice of the Gorton Glaciers could collapse at any moment from any wrong move. You’ll have to trust your friends to guide you safely through the maze of snow without setting off an avalanche.
Smoosh Skis
Do you like skiing? Well this is almost completely unlike skiing. Instead, it’s a challenge that’s all about teamwork and coordination.
What’s That Tree?
The winter time presents a unique challenge for scouts seeking to exercise their knowledge of the natural world. Without leaves or flowers or fruit, how well do you know your trees?
Field Games
Show off your skill, athleticism, and teamwork by challenging other patrols! We’ll have:
Gaga Ball (last man standing wins for their team)
Sled Races
Tug of War
Ultimate Frisbee
After registration you will receive a conformation email. If you don't please check your spam folder. Look for an email from no-reply@247scouting.org
Map of Event
