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 24 at Musser Scout Reservation near Green Lane PA. Your $20 payment for the event is due on January 5. 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
  • Inspection of sleds for all equipment
  • Race to the North pole
  • Fire building
  • Map & Compass
  • First aid
  • Solve emergencies
  • Rifle Shooting
  • Axe throwing
  • Archery
  • Knots/lashings
  • Team building activities

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. Everything needs to come from your patrol box or be brought from home by your members. You need EVERY ONE of the following items:

  • Patrol Should Arrange for Members to Bring These 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 fire building
    • 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)
    • Compass (if you need to, you can borrow one from the troop)
    • 2 camp style blankets
    • 2 pocket knives
    • Large tarp/ground cloth
    • Extra socks in Ziploc bag for each patrol member
  • The Patrol Should Gather These Items from Troop Supplies:
    • Patrol Flag attached to sled
    • Large Pot with cover from patrol box
    • Plastic Drinking Cups for each member from patrol box
    • Hot Pot gloves or pot grabber from patrol box
    • Half full water jug from troop shed for putting out fire
    • Small shovel from Troop shed
    • 2 Padded 2 foot splints from Troop shed
    • 2 Padded 4 foot splints from Troop shed
    • 2 six foot poles for stretcher (from troop shed)
    • Patrol Gold Rush Kit from troop shed including:
      • 12 triangular bandages (to fold into cravats)
      • 4 4"x4" Gauze pads
      • Roll of adhesive tape
      • Roll of gauze
      • Exam gloves
      • CPR Mask
      • 8 six foot ropes