Klondike 2026

Valley Forge

Hosted by North Star

January 23 - 25, 2026

Throughout the weekend, Scouts will dive into a variety of themed challenges designed to test their skills, spark creativity, and inspire teamwork. From the Multi-Person Ski to the 8-Knot Challenge and Ice Fishing, there’s truly something for everyone. And of course, no Klondike is complete without our themed campfire program packed with skits, songs, and plenty of laughter to create memories that last a lifetime.

Safety remains our top priority at every Scouting event, and the North Star Klondike is no exception. Our staff and volunteers are extensively trained to ensure that all activities adhere to the highest standards of safety and youth protection. As leaders and volunteers, you play an essential role in modeling the Scout Oath and Scout Law throughout the weekend. Your commitment helps create an environment where every Scout feels welcomed, respected, and supported as they engage in activities that promote growth and learning.

We encourage you to fully embrace your time at Camp Scouthaven. Take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the crisp winter air, participate in the various events, and capture moments with photos that will serve as lasting memories of this unique experience. For many of our newer Scouts, this will be their first experience with cold weather, overnight camping, and your guidance and encouragement will set the foundation for a lifetime of adventure in Scouting.

Schedule of Events

Friday, January 23

• 5:00-8:30 pm Registration & Setup
• 9:00 pm SM/SPL Meeting & Cracker Barrel
• 11:00 pm Taps

Saturday, January 24

• 7:00 am Reveille and Unit In-Site Breakfast
• 8:00 am Non-Camping Units Registration
• 8:45 am Opening Flags / Sled Inspection
• 9:00 am Patrol Competitions
• 12:00 pm Unit In-Site Lunch
• 1:00 pm Patrol Competitions Resume
• 3:00 pm Patrol Competitions Ends
• 3:15 pm Program Areas turn in score sheets
• 3:15 pm Dan Ingram Sled race begins
• 4:45 pm Closing Flags
• 5:00 pm Unit In-Site Dinner
• 7:00 pm Religious Services
• 8:00 pm Closing Campfire
• 9:30 pm (After Closing Campfire) Camp Wide Cracker Barrel/Awards
• 11:00 pm Taps

Sunday, January 25

• 7:00 am Reveille and Unit In-Site Breakfast
• 9:00 am Check Out

Fees and Registration

• Preregistration is required. The participation fee for this Camporee is $15.00 per person (youth or adult).
• Register online at: www.gfcscouting.org. Registration for Klondike opens December 5th. Campsite and Cabin registration opens at 7:00pm on December 12th.
• Each youth must be a registered Scout, Venturer, or Explorer to attend. Webelos may attend during the day if sponsored by a host troop.

Check In

• Check in will be from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM Friday and at 8: 00 AM Saturday (for units that are not camping) at the Camp
• Office. (See the Camp Southaven map at the end of this guide.) A unit roster must be provided to the Camporee Staff at check-in. The Unit Roster can be found at the end of the guide or under reports.

Camping Information

Units must pre-register and pay for a cabin/lean-to/campsite and wood online at the Klondike registration link in the GFC website prior to the Camporee. Units should be prepared to transport their gear by foot from the parking area.
Depending on weather, 1 vehicle may be allowed to drop off equipment at the site.

Leaders Meeting - Cracker Barrel

Each unit should send the Senior Patrol Leader and Scoutmaster to the meeting on Friday at 9:00 PM and Saturday following the closing campfire at the Dining Hall. THE SATURDAY CRAKER BARREL IS OPEN TO ALL AND UNITS ARE ASKED TO BRING A SNACK TO SHARE

Uniforms & Colors

Field uniform (Class A) should be worn throughout for opening/closing flags (weather permitting) and the religious services. Activity (Class B) uniforms may be worn Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the rest of the day. American flag and unit flags should be displayed near the entrance of each campsite/cabin. Please bring flags to the opening flag ceremony.

Religious Services

All are encouraged to attend the religious service offered on Saturday evening. The following religious services will be offered: Interfaith, Protestant, Catholic, Jewish. (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Meals

Units are responsible for all meals. Please make sure you have enough time to serve your meals and clean-up properly. A Camp Wide Cracker Barrel will be held after the closing Campfire on Saturday.

Awards & Recognition

All youth and adult participants will receive a Camporee patch. Recognition will also be given out for participation in activities.
• An Overall Shultz Cup winner
• A Sled Race Champion
• Individual Game Awards

Sustainability

The Camporee has set a goal to be a zero-impact event. Units will be encouraged to follow Leave No Trace guidelines. Please plan your weekend to help minimize our impact.

Events
Tomahawk and Gun Club
Location: TBD

Many native Americans on both sides participated – utilizing first a modified war club called the tomahawk, later, using the shape of the gun stock, they created another throwing axe –both popular during the early colonial times. A noted Tuscarora figure Nicholas Cusick, a revolutionary war hero who played a crucial role in intelligent gathering, spying, consulting on many affairs with George Washington, and interpreter for the Marquis de Lafayette was just 17 years old. Nicholas is gathering up troops to go on a mission. Test your skills on hitting the targets to show (Kah-Natho as he was called among the natives) that you could, if need be, knock a hat off a British Officer and scare him back to Britain.
Highest number of points within a limited time frame or throws.

Quaker Gun Barrels
Location: Quartermaster Building

The British are coming. We need to make the barrels for the Quaker guns. Cut through the log as fast as you can. This is a timed event. Fastest time wins.

8 Knot Challenge
Location: Loegler 1

8 knot challenge- Spanish bow line to the double fisherman to the alpine butterfly loop to the French bowline to the double sheet bend to the handcuff knot to the constrictor knot to the chain sinnet knot. These are all knots that were used during the revolutionary war by various trades, militants and governments. All knots must be correct, timed event.

Multi- Person Ski
Location: Road Near Dining Hall

Snow is very deep in Valley Forge. You must stick together in your platoon. You travel down the road picking up your supplies along the way and come back to your starting point. Timed event. Points given for supplies retrieved throughout your travels.

Ice Fishing
Location: Dining Hall Back Porch

Fishing- Ice fishing was a huge part of survival while at valley forge. See how many fish you can catch before time runs out and you are frozen.

Pedro the Mule Challenge
Location: Loegler 2

Valley Forge was a very tough time. Anything that could be eaten was eaten. Pedro the mule does not want to be eaten. Help him get his shoes on so he can escape. You will have 6 prs of shoes to toss and get caught in a backpack. Points for number of shoes and fastest time.

Lashing
Location: Safari Lodge

Now that the barrels are cut, time to get cooking and lash together a “Chippewa Kitchen”. There will be at least 4 Diagonal, 3 Square and 3 Mark Two, 2 Tripod lashings.
Points for correct number of lashings and timed- 15 min max.

Archery Practice
Location: Dining Hall

Archery practice -your Patrol will be given 8 shots with a small suction cup bow and arrows and score will be taken to see how many of the targets are taken down.

Fire Building
Location: Boss Lean-To

Fire Building- There will be 2 different competitions here- Flint and Steel, and Ferris Rod and Match. FR/M only natural materials fastest time to have your fire burn through the string, several attempts must be made with FR before matches can be used. FS- all natural materials only found at camp- outdoors, does NOT include straw, hay or lint. See if you can get a fire built like your forefathers did, in the snow, like your life depended on it.
2 Individual competitions to be held at the fire building station. You can participate in one, or both. Flint and Steel will be given a char cloth. Timed event.

Basic First Aid
Location: Camp Office

Injuries were very serious during the war. Medicine was not very modern. Broken bones only received the treatment of immobilization. For bleeding injuries you must utilize the lint and bandages to stop the severe bleeding. Proper demonstration of how to apply a torniquet. Proper usage of lint and triangle bandage for that time period. Scoring will be within a time frame.

Scoutmaster’s Cookoff
Location: Unit Site

New England or Manhattan Clam Chowder. Judging will be done around 6:00pm at the dining hall.

The Dan Ingram Memorial Klondike Sled Race

All Scouts will gather at the race starting spot with their sleds and patrol items as well as flag and yell and compete for a chance to win this year’s sled race trophy.

The Shultz Cup

Named in honor of longtime Scouters Dave and Betty Shultz, the Shultz Cup is awarded to the top overall patrol at the Klondike. The winning patrol may keep the Cup for one year and then return it at the 2027 North Star Klondike Derby.

You should recieve an email confirmation once registration is complete. If not check your spam folder for an email from no-reply@247scouting.org