Klondike vs Polar Bear

Some of us might be wondering why this years' winter District even is being called a Polar Bear and not a Klondike. I thought it was an arbitrary choice at first, but after some research learned the difference. First let me define "District Event".

Boy Scouts of America at it's highest level is called National. Each region of the U.S. has Councils and districts and then individual Units. Long Island is divided into two Councils: Nassau (Theodore Roosevelt Council) and Suffolk County Council. Within Suffolk County Council there are 6 Districts. Ours is called Matinecock. When some of us attend Roundtable meetings once a month, that is at the District level. Our Spring Camporee, Webelos Woods and Klondike (or Polar Bear) are District events.

I know, it can be confusing.

So how is a Klondike different from a Polar Bear? Both are winter events. A Klondike, or Klondike Derby, or Klondike Camporee, is a competative event, held in winter based on the Alaskan Ididerrod. The Scouts use dog sled style sleds to carry all their gear from station to station. Each station is a single activity, usually based on scout skills and/or team work. Points are given for performance and Scout Spirit. A Klondike Derby is a one-day event and can be held for Boy Scouts, Webelos Scouts or both. A Klondike Camporee is the same, but overnight camping is involved and is just for Boy Scouts. For the past few years, our Klondike has been called a Camporee, meaning multiple Troops.

So what is a Polar Bear? Well, that is a winter camping event involving a campout of at least 24 hours of camping.

Winter camping over a period of 96 hours between the months of November and March can earn a Scout the Polar Bear Award.

Why camp in winter? Seems crazy right? If properly outfitted and prepared, it's not a lot different than camping any other time. As Scouts, we learn to be ready for rain and hot weather. Why not cold. As leaders, safety is always first. For that reason we always come prepared with extra blankets and we spend a lot of time preparing Scouts for cold conditions. A parents, you can help by reminding your boys to pack what we have taught them to pack in our winter camping training. They can always call a Patrol Leader or adult Scouter if they have questions. We can provide printed information to support what they have been taught. We properly dressed and outfitted, Scouts find winter camping quite exhilerating.