Electric Fence   (from the 1998 klondike)
Objective: To get 5 members of your patrol safely over a 5 foot high electric fence.
Procedure: Your patrol is on their way to the klondike awards ceremony when it comes to an electric fence 5 feet high.  All but the last 5 Scouts make it under the fence when it suddenly becomes electrified (all the way to the ground).  These 5 Scouts will be chosen by the judges.  As you ponder how to get over the fence (and who in the world put it at Beaumont) you find 5 staves each 8 feet tall, a beach towel, and a fire bucket.  Your patrol also has 5 pieces of rope each 10 feet long. Your task is to cross the fence using ALL of the materials on hand.  You must use a minimum of 3 different lashings to get over the fence, all from the ScoutHandbook.  There is a 15 minute time limit.  Obviously, you cannot go around the fence because it would defeat the purpose of the event. On the other side of the fence there will be a structure that you can step onto safely, provided your structure will hold you. For a patrol of dwarfs (or younger Scouts) there will a 4 foot high fence option (at the discretion of the judges). Finally, no one is to throw another Scout over the fence and no one will be allowed to jump over the fence. Any violations of these rules will result in disqualification and a possible trip to the first aid station.  Remember, safety first.  The judges may temporarily stop your time to check to make sure that everything is safe before you proceed.
Equipment needed: 5 ropes each 10 feet long
Equipment provided: 5 staves 8 feet long, about 1" thick, fire bucket, beach towel
Scoring: 3 lashings  15 points each
Teamwork, creativity, efficiency, and safety 15 points
Time - 40 points for first, 38 for second, 36 for third, etc.
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Catapult   (from Klondike 1999)

Objective:  Build a catapult and launch a ball as far and straight as possible.
Scenario: Your patrol is traveling through the woods. You come across a castle with high walls and surrounded by a moat.  A beautiful princess screams from the inside that her prince has fallen and has been seriously hurt. She needs a first aid kit quickly or the prince may die. You are miles away from any outside help. Looking around you find a stack of poles, a pile of 6 ropes and a baseball glove. You have your first aid kit that is shaped a lot like a softball. The princess screams that you have only fifteen minutes to get her a first aid kit or the prince may not make it. The walls of the castle are too high to attempt to scale them. Besides, the moat looks like it has a few crocodiles. There doesn't seem to be any other way in. The only chance that you have of saving the prince is to construct some type of catapult to send your first aid kit over the wall.
Procedure: Using supplied materials you have 15 minutes to create a structure to launch a ball. No one will be allowed to touch the pole that has a baseball glove mounted (or the glove).  You will be given 3 launches, the furthest one will count towards your score.
Materials supplied:          8 staves, 6 foot long, 1@ diameter,
Materials needed:  at least 5 ropes - each10 ft. long
Scoring:       50 points based on a percentage of correct lashings.  - 3 different lashing must be used from the Scout handbook.  The structure must have at least 5 lashings. 
Patrol is graded only on the 5 lashing that the Patrol leader selects.
50 points for accuracy and distance based on point values given to areas in the launching field.
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Log Lift (from klondike 1999)
Objective:    To join 4 ropes together, attach one end to a log, pull the log 25 yards, throw a line over a 10 foot bar or limb, hoist the log off the ground, then tie the loose end to a stake.

Equipment needed: 4 ropes,  each 10 feet long
Equipment provided:  log, pre-placed stake, and limb

Procedure:  Time starts when the judge gives the start signal.  The patrol will tie 4 ropes together using a square knot, a sheet bend, and a fisherman=s knot.  One end of the rope needs to be tied to a log using a timber hitch with a round turn.  After all ropes are attached the patrol will drag the log around a prescribed course.  The patrol will then throw the rope over a limb, hoist the log in the air, then secure the loose end of the rope to a stake with a tautline hitch.   The log must be suspended in the air for 5 seconds before the time ends.  All knots must be tied by different patrol members.

Scoring: Fastest time 50 points, second best 48, third, 46 and so forth
Knots - 10 points each if correctly tied.
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Mystery Lashing (from klondike 2000)
Objective: To be explained at site. (better practice all of your lashings!).
Procedure: It's a mystery, but it will involve lashing
Equipment Provided: poles
Equipment Needed: 6 ropes - each at least 8 feet long - Natural fiber rope is strongly suggested! Synthetic ropes do not work well in cold weather!
Scoring: Teamwork, correct lashings, completion of the task
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Knot Tying and Knot Uses (from Klondike 2000)
Objective: To tie eight knots in appropriate situations.

Procedure: Patrol members will pick from 8 cards individually that describe a situation where a knot is used.. Some members may need 2 cards. Cards cannot be traded. When the patrol leader indicates that the patrol is ready the judge will say "GO" and start a stopwatch. Four of the Scouts will go to their indicated station to tie the knot that is appropriate for the situation described. When they all return, the other four card holders will go to their stations. When all of the Scouts have returned the to starting line the time will be recorded. The greatest number of Scouts should participate from the patrol before anyone goes twice.

Equipment Provided: All equipment.
Equipment Needed: nothing
Scoring:
5 points for choosing the correct knot up to 40 points
5 points for tying properly up to 40 points.
Time up to 20 points (maximum time 15 minutes)
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Barrel Lift  (from Klondike 2001)
Objective: To lift a weighted barrel by use of a rope tackle, using proper knots & hitches.
Resource material: Pioneering Merit Badge Book, Scout Handbook
Equipment provided by Judges: Barrel, 50 ' length of rope
Equipment needed by Patrols: 20' length of rope for barrel sling (can be pieced together). Material for ground anchor. Lashing ropes.

Procedure: The fixed lead of the Rope Tackle will be tossed over a tree branch and shall be secured using a ground anchor. Once the barrel is lifted up at least one foot, the hauling end of the rope is to be tied off. It may be tied off in any manner, such as to the ground anchor, to an adjoining tree or to a cleat lashed to a tree. Any method is acceptable as long as the knots and/or lashings are proper for the application. Judges will be the final authority. Any excess rope is to be properly coiled & secured. A cleat can be made from a length of wood 1-2' long & square lashed to a tree. Patrols will not be given extra material on site. " Be Prepared". Maximum time allowed is 15 minutes. Timing for tie-breakers only. Resource books may be used on site but there will be a point penalty of 20%.

Scoring:
 

Participation	5 Points
Barrel Sling	20
Ground Anchor	up to 20 (more points for better designs)
Rope Tackle	25 Bowline on Bight or Butterfly knot
Lashing/Knots	20 (5 points deducted for every incorrect knot)
Teamwork	10

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Tallest Structure  (from Klondike 2001)
Objective: To lash together a free-standing structure from 6 staves.
Procedure: The patrol will utilize 6 staves, approximately 5 feet in length, to lash together a free-standing structure. Points will be awarded according to height and proper lashings.  One stave will have a flag attached to it. The height of the structure will be measured, after is stand for 1 minute without any aid, from the ground to the top of the stave with the flag.
No guy lines or other support will be allowed. You will not be allowed to dig any of the poles into the ground. You may not carve or otherwise alter the staves.  There is a 15 minute time limit.
Equipment Needed: rope
Equipment Provided: 5 staves (each approximately 5 feet long), 1 stave with a flag attached.
Scoring:  Lashing  -  50 points (minus 10 points for each incorrect lashing)
                Height   -  up to 50 points based on pre-set increments. (Height will be used to determine the event winner)
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Catapult (from Klondike 2002) (Link to sample of this contraption)
Site:  Scoutcraft (that is, by the Wood Badge shelter field across from the trading post)
Objective:  To build a catapult that will propel an object for accuracy and distance.
Equipment Provided:  8 Scout staves,  1 thrower stave with mounted skillet, projectiles.
Equipment Needed:   All necessary ropes
Procedure:  The patrol has 15 minutes to lash together a catapult as follows:
Two tripods connected by a crosspiece lashed between one leg of each tripod.  Another crosspiece lashed between the tops of the tripods.  The thrower arm with the skillet is loosely lashed to the bottom crosspiece at a point about two feet from the non-skillet end of the pole.  A rope is attached the short end of the thrower pole.  A projectile is placed in the skillet.  Pulling on the rope should cause the thrower arm to propel the projectile, releasing it from the skillet as it hits the upper crosspiece.  As an alternative, the catapult may also be hand-operated, eliminating the need for the pulling rope.  An additional pole may be lashed to the top crosspiece and extend to the ground to act as a guide to keep the catapult pole centered as it is fired.
    Time will end when the patrol is ready to launch or minutes is reached.
    The patrol will get 2 practice shots, followed by 3 shots for accuracy at a four-foot diameter target, then 3 shots for distance.
Scoring:
    Lashings - 5 points per correct lashing (two tripod, 7 diagonal or square with at least one of each) for a total of 45 possible points.
    Accuracy - 5 points per projectile that lands within the four-foot diameter target for a possible 15 points.
    Distance -   The longest of the last 3 shots will count for the patrol's distance.  The distances will be force ranked from 40 to 15 points.
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Rat Trap Fishing (from Klondike 2002)
Objective:   To catch as many mousetraps as possible from an inaccessible area using a rod constructed of poles lashed together.
Equipment Provided:  6 Scout staves each 5 feet long, a 6 foot long piece of rope, 12 standard mousetraps.
Equipment Needed:  Rope for lashing (at least 5)
Procedure:   Scouts will lash together 5 poles and tie the 6 foot length of rope to the end.  The Patrol will use this apparatus to dangle  the rope piece over the mousetraps attempting to have them catch on the rope.  The Patrol will be unable to get within 12 feet of the traps, as if they were on a semi-frozen pond.  There will be a 5 minute time limit.
Scoring:
 

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Diamond Hitch Relay
Objective:   Tie a pack to a pack frame using a Diamond Hitch.
Equipment Provided:  Plastic tarp, a number of items (pots, pans, etc.), a pack frame, rope needed to tie a Diamond Hitch and four ropes to attach to the corners of the pack frame.
Equipment Needed:  none
Procedure:  Patrols start at the "Prep. Station" where they will be given a tarp, some items, a pack frame, and rope to tie the items wrapped in the tarp to the pack frame.  The patrol will then choose three members who will only be allowed to use one of their limbs each to tie the pack to the pack frame using a proper diamond hitch; the other patrol members not chosen to tie the Diamond Hitch will pack the items into the tarp.  When the Patrol says it is ready, a Troop 620 Judge will say "GO" and the timing will start. The Patrol is to wrap up the items in the tarp, then tie the wrapped tarp to the pack frame using a Diamond Hitch.  Timing will stop when the pack is securely tied to the pack frame and when the patrol says they are finished.  The Troop 620 Judge will then shake the pack frame to make sure no items fall off the pack, and to evaluate the correctness of the Diamond Hitch.
Diamond Hitch Standard: As discussed at the December 1999 Roundtable, the standard used to judge the correctness of the Diamond Hitch is found on page 23 of the Camping Merit Badge book. The pack frame supplied will be the same as in the diagram (i.e., a frame with 6 posts)

    Plastic tarp, a number of items (pots, pans, etc.), a
pack frame, rope needed to tie a Diamond Hitch and four ropes to attach to
the corners of the pack frame.
LINK TO A PICTURE
Scoring:
Up to 100 points for time, force ranked. 
Thirty (30) seconds will be added to a Patrol's time if any item falls from the pack frame while the judge is shaking it.
Thirty (30) seconds will be added to the Patrol's time if the Diamond Hitch is judged to be incorrect.
There is a 10-minute maximum for each Patrol, from the Prep Station to the Finish Line.

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Electric Fence (From 2003 Klondike)
Objective:      To lash together a free-standing structure to allow four (4) members of your Patrol to get safely over a five-foot high "electric fence" without touching the "fence."
Equipment Provided:    Five wood staves approximately 8 feet long by 2 inches in diameter
Equipment needed:       Five 10 foot long pieces of rope.
Procedure:  Four members of the Patrol are selected at random by the judges.  These four Scouts lash together a free-standing structure to allow them to step across the top of a five-foot high "electric fence" onto a structure on the other side of the "fence" as quickly as can be done safely. 
1) There must be at least three different lashings as they are shown in the Boy Scout Handbook. 
2) Scouts are to step across the "fence" - throwing or jumping will result in disqualification. 
3) A maximum of five pieces of rope up to ten feet long may be used.
4) The time limit is fifteen minutes.  Time starts at "Go" from judges and stops when fourth Scout places both feet on the ground on the other side of fence
5) Judges may stop the running time to make safety checks of the free-standing structure.  Unsafe structures must be made safe before crossing can begin..
A four-foot high "electric fence" will be available for webelo dens.
Scoring:          Lashings -  up to 20 points for each of the three categories of lashings – 60 points
                        Time - 40 points for fastest time - force ranked
                        Penalty:  Each Scout touching the "electric fence" or touching a Scout when he touches the "electric fence" - 30 seconds added to time for shocking breach of rules.

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Ice Floe Rescue (from Klondike 2003)
Objective:   To pull a patrol member off the "ice" using rope, then transport him using a sled.
Equipment Provided:  tarp, plastic sled
Equipment Needed:  five 10-foot long ropes
Procedure One Patrol member  (the “victim”) will be positioned in the middle of the  ice floe (tarp).   A line will mark the edge of the “water.”
PART ONE: Four Scouts  (“knotters”) will join  five 10 foot long ropes  together.   Each of these four Scouts will tie one knot.  Two of the four knots must be square knots and two must be sheet  bends. The joined rope will be thrown to the “victim,” who will tie a bowline around his waist with the rope.  When ready the  “knotters” will drag the “victim” to shore and will lift the “victim” onto the sled using the three-man carry described in the First Aid merit badge book.  If a knot fails, any piece of rope entirely in the “water” is lost, and additional lengths of rope must be tied on  to reach the “victim.” 

PART TWO:  Four Patrol members will then "race" the sled carrying the “victim”  through an obstacle course to obtain help. NOTE:  Any Patrol member who was not a “knotter”  or the “victim”  MUST  be one of the four Scouts propelling the sled.   If the "victim" falls from the sled during the obstacle course run, the Patrol must stop and return him to the sled using the three-man carry.
Scoring:
5 knots 6 points each - 30 points
three-man carry         -  10 points
Time                          - 60 points for best time, 58 for second, 56 for third, etc.

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Tallest Structure (from Klondike 2004)
Objective: To lash together a free-standing structure from 6 staves.
Procedure: The patrol will utilize 6 staves, approximately 5 feet in length, to lash together a free-standing structure. Points will be awarded according to height and proper lashings.  One stave will have a flag attached to it. The height of the structure will be measured, after is stand for 1 minute without any aid, from the ground to the top of the stave with the flag.
No guy lines or other support will be allowed. You will not be allowed to dig any of the poles into the ground. You may not carve or otherwise alter the staves.  There is a 15 minute time limit.
Equipment Needed: rope
Equipment Provided: 6staves (each approximately 5 feet long), 1 stave will have a flag attached.
Scoring:  Lashing  -  50 points (minus 10 points for each incorrect lashing)
                Height   -  up to 50 points based on pre-set increments. (Height will be used to determine the event winner)

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Travois Race (from 2004 Klondike)
Objective:   To construct a travois, then race around a course dragging a patrol member.
Equipment needed:    5 pieces of rope about 10 feet each with ends properly finished.
Items supplied: 4 poles not longer than 7 feet each.
Procedure:   Patrols will lash the travois together  using the poles provided.  When completed one Scout will be chosen to ride on the travois while 4 other patrol members  drag the travois  around the course.  The same 4 Scouts must pull for the entire course, no substitutes.  There are no prescribed lashing, but the design should look somewhat like fig. #1.  However if the travois comes apart during the race it must be lashed over where it came apart before proceeding to the end of the course.
Time limit:      10 minutes
Scoring:         Force ranked by time from 30 - 100 points for patrols finishing within the time limit. Patrol that do not finish within the time limit will receive 10 points for their participation. There is a penalty of 10 seconds for every time the rider touches the ground (except when re-lashing)
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Rat Trap Fishing (from 2005 Klondike)
Object: To catch as many rat-traps as possible from a distance using a rod of poles lashed together.
Material provided: 5 Scout Staves each 5 foot long, a 6 foot long piece of rope, and 12 standard rat traps.
Materials needed: Rope for lashing (at least 5)
Procedure: Scouts will lash together 5 staves to make one pole and tie the 6 foot length of rope to the end of the pole. The patrol will only use the staves and rope to make a pole that can be used to dangle the free end of a rope over the rat traps to catch the traps on the rope. The rope should extend 3 to 4 feet down from the end of the pole. The patrol will be unable to get within 12 feet of the traps simulating fishing from the shore on a semi-frozen pond. There will be a 10 minute time limit which includes time to lash the poles together. The Patrol will be given a few minutes to get organized prior to starting the timer. Once a trap has been sprung it cannot be pushed or dragged back across the semi-frozen pond. No other objects than those listed above can be used. Lashings and knot will be judged using the techniques in the Boy Scout Handbook.
Scoring:
Criteria Description Points
Lashings 6 points for each set of lashings and 1 knot. up to 30 pts
Traps 3 points for each trap up to 36 pts
Time Under 2 minutes 14 pts
2 – 3 minutes 12 pts
3 – 4 minutes 10 pts
4 – 5 minutes 8 pts
5 – 6 minutes 6 pts
under 10 minutes 4 pts
Deductions Each time a boy steps into the Semi-Frozen Pond -15 points per step
Teamwork 10 pts
Patrol Spirit (including flag & cheer) 10 pts

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2005 Index

Log Lift (from 2005 Klondike)
Objective: The patrol is to lift a log off the ground using the equipment provided.
Scouts will need to know the following knots and their uses: Square, Sheetbend, Sheepshank, Taut-line, Clove Hitch, Timber Hitch, and Two-half hitch. Once a scout ties a knot, he cannot tie another one.
Equipment Provided: Rope, log, stake
Equipment Needed: Teamwork
Scoring: Each Knot 5 Points Possible 35 Pts
Correct Definition 4 Points Possible 28 Pts
Teamwork Possible 10 Pts
Patrol Spirit Possible 10 Pts
Under 1 Minute 17 Pts
Under 2 Minutes 15 Pts
Under 3 Minutes 13 Pts
Under 4 Minutes 11 Pts
Under 5 Minutes 9 Pts
Under 6 Minutes 7 Pts
Over 6 Minutes 5 Pts

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