LEBANON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Nearly 150 Scouts and adult volunteer leaders from across Hunterdon County gathered Jan. 24 at Lebanon Township Memorial Park for the 2026 Hunterdon Arrowhead District Klondike Derby, an annual winter Scouting competition that emphasizes outdoor skills, teamwork and leadership.
Despite frigid temperatures and the approach of Winter Storm Fern, which prevented overnight camping, organizers moved forward with a full-day event. Scouts competed in outdoor skill stations designed to challenge patrols under demanding winter conditions, a hallmark of the long-running Klondike Derby tradition.
Seventeen patrols, each made up of up to eight Scouts, competed in Novice or Advanced categories based on the average rank within each patrol. Novice patrols focused on foundational Scouting skills, while Advanced patrols tackled more complex technical and problem-solving challenges. Throughout the day, teams hauled their equipment between stations on wooden sleds, reflecting the methods used by Klondike Gold Rush prospectors of the late 1800s.
Volunteer-run stations evaluated a range of skills, including fire building, first aid and pioneering, with points awarded for proficiency, cooperation and effective patrol leadership. Teamwork proved critical as patrols navigated the demanding conditions.
A highlight of the event was the Grand Sled Race, held Saturday afternoon, in which patrols raced their sleds through a timed course. The fastest teams advanced to final rounds to determine overall winners in both competition categories.
In keeping with tradition, each Scout contributed two cans of soup toward the event’s communal “Klondike Stew.” An additional 156 cans of soup collected during the derby were donated to the Flemington Food Pantry.
The 2026 Klondike Derby was sponsored by the Washington Crossing Council, Hunterdon Arrowhead District, Flemington Department Store and ShopRite of Flemington. Organizers also thanked the Township of Lebanon, Lebanon Township Volunteer Fire Company, Lebanon Township Parks and Recreation Department, Raritan Township Office of Emergency Management and Delaware Valley Septic for their support. Handcrafted awards were prepared by Pack 61 Cubmaster Mason Garrity and Troop 65 Assistant Scoutmaster Mike Vazquez.
Top finishers
Station competition — Advanced category:
1st place: Oldwick Troop 199B, Viper Patrol
2nd place: Ringoes Troop 65B, Berserker Patrol
3rd place: Flemington Troop 62B, Chilly Chuds Patrol
Station competition — Novice category:
1st place: Three Bridges Troop 186G, Gold Racers Patrol
2nd place: High Bridge Troop 149B, Dutch Oven Patrol
3rd place: Lebanon Troop 92B, Gold Diggers Patrol
Sled race — Advanced category:
1st place: Oldwick Troop 199B, Viper Patrol
2nd place: Flemington Troop 62B, Chilly Chuds Patrol
3rd place: Ringoes Troop 65B, Berserker Patrol
Sled race — Novice category:
1st place: Lebanon Troop 92B, Nutcracker Patrol
2nd place: High Bridge Troop 149B, Dutch Oven Patrol
3rd place: Lebanon Troop 92B, Gold Diggers Patrol
A Patrol Spirit Award was presented to the Ringoes Troop 65 Holy Cow Patrol.
Scouts from additional troops across Hunterdon County, including units from Quakertown, Three Bridges, Bethlehem, Flemington, Lebanon, Annandale and the Pahaquarra Order of the Arrow Chapter, also participated, demonstrating outdoor skills and resilience in the cold conditions.
