Alaskan Gold Rush

Each January, Scouts all over the country organize Gold Rushes. Patrols pull a Yukon sled, loaded with equipment, across the frozen tundra. You ll run a course between stations where you ll be given tasks and be awarded "gold nuggets" for doing them. You'll build a fire and cook you lunch at one of the stations.

The entire event is outdoors, and conditions are sometimes wet and muddy. All Scouts should be properly clothed, wear waterproof footwear, heavy socks, warm coats, winter hats, etc. Inadequate clothing will disqualify the team. NO SNEAKERS ARE PERMITTED!!!!!!!!

This year s Gold Rush will be held on January 25 at Musser Scout Reservation near Green Lane PA. Your $20 payment for the event is due on January 6. We'll depart from the church at 7:30 AM. Our return time will be in the late afternoon, but the exact time depends on how long it takes our Patrols to complete the events. Scouts will call with a more exact time when we leave the camp.

Events planned for this year's Gold Rush are:

  • Check in and Teamwork
  • Inspection of sleds for all equipment
  • Race to the North pole
  • First aid on merit badge level
  • Cooking over a fire
  • Knots/lashings
  • Teamwork building a bridge without enough material
  • "Skiing" with 2X4 wooden skis
  • Blind folded fishing
  • Axe throwing
  • Paint ball shooting
  • Compass/pacing skills

Every Scout must bring a copy of this BSA permission slip signed by a parent. Scouts who are bringing medications with them must also give them to an adult leader in their original container along with a copy of this Medication Administration Form signed by a parent.

Gold Rush Equipment

To get started at the Gold Rush your patrol s sledge will be inspected to verify that you have all the equipment you ll need to solve the problems. Your patrol has been given $3/scout to pay for the food for your lunches. Everything else needs to come from your patrol box or be brought from home by your members. You need EVERY ONE of the following items:

  • Waterproof envelope or pouch for assy & gold nuggets
  • Scout Handbook
  • Notebook and pencil
  • Tote-N-Chip cards (2 per patrol)
  • Dry untreated kindling and fire wood for lunch fire
  • Fire Starters -- Non liquid
  • Flint and Steel to start fire
  • Plenty of dryer lint to use as tinder
  • Matches (in case the flint and steel doesn't work)
  • The following food and equipment for lunch preparation:
  • Half full troop water jug of water for putting out fire
  • Large Pot with cover from patrol cook kit
  • Grate to go over fire
  • Drinking Cups -- Non disposable for all
  • Hot Pot gloves, tongs, or pliers
  • Small shovel from Troop shed
  • Compass
  • Patrol First Aid Kit & equipment including:
    • 2 Padded 2 foot splints
    • 2 Padded 4 foot splints
    • 12 Cravats (e.g. neckerchiefs)
    • 4 4"x4" Gauze pads
    • Roll of adhesive tape
    • Roll of gauze
    • Exam gloves
    • CPR Mask
    • 2 six foot poles for stretcher (from troop shed)
    • 2 camp style blankets
  • 2 pocket knives
  • 8 six foot ropes
  • Patrol Flag attached to sled
  • Large tarp/ground cloth
  • Extra socks in Ziploc bag for each patrol member