Scouts from Pioneer Trails District of LaSalle Council, Boy Scouts of America (Elkhart and Cass counties) will be holding a Klondike Derby and winter campout at River Preserve Park, Benton Spillway (68552 County Road 31, New Paris, Ind., two miles south of U.S. 33 on County Road 31) on Jan. 18-20.

Scouts will be doing winter tent camping all weekend and participating in Scouting skill contests on Saturday.
Each patrol built a dog sled using traditional (without use of metal and must resemble one of the traditional Klondike style designs using pegs and lashing), or non-traditional design (using any materials and any design.)

Sleds will be filled with the equipment they need for the skills tests, then pulled by the Scouts from station to station.
Sleds will be judged by members of the Elkhart County Parks Department with marks for sturdiness, practicality, creativity, design and quality of workmanship.

All sleds will be pulled by Scouts. No natural, native wood may be used (due to the ash bore quarantine). All wood must be kiln-dried or manufactured. Stain, etc., may be used to make the sled look more authentic. If the weather is too warm, wheels may be used.
The opening ceremony is at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, followed by sled judging at 9, then the start of Klondike Derby events, which will run until about 4.
Scouts will be required to carry their lunch on the sleds and cook it while at Klondike Derby stations during this frontier-themed event.
Indiana conservation teams will be doing presentations on river rescue and water safety, 2 to 3 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m.
2013 marks the 103rd anniversary of Boy Scouting in America.