They competed with scout’s honor!
About 140 of the borough’s Cub and Boy Scouts headed to Coney Island Beach on Feb. 3 for the annual Klondike Derby. The event, which drew boys from ages 7 to 18, offers young scouts a chance to test five of the basic skills they’re expected to hone as scouts, according to one of the organizers.
“This is basic knowledge that they’re learning in scouting,” said Kent Woo.
The Boy Scouts — the older ones of the bunch — built a sled and used it to travel between five stations on the sand, each of which offered them a chance to show off their skills at knot tying, first aid, water rescue, shelter building, and ice fishing. The younger Cub Scouts, meanwhile, played games at each station.
And even though the kids had fun on the beach, the competition is meant to build toughness and nurture their competitive spirits, according to another organizer.
“We want to foster dedication to stay in the cold and the desire to compete,” said Tom Kramer. “It’s a competition, too.”
