Local scouts compete in skills competition

SPARTA — Recently, Troop 95 from Sparta competed in the Watchung District Klondike. A Klondike is a competition in which Boy Scout patrols compete in fire building, wilderness survival, first-aid, tomahawk throwing, knots & lashings, and orienteering, all while pushing a sled filled with 100 pounds of the gear needed for the challenges. The competition, which takes place at Watchung Scout Reservation, has a course usually over snow covered paths through 7 destinations over the reservation. Scouts get a break in the middle for lunch, where they have to pitch a tent, start a fire, and cook hot dogs and hot chocolate over that fire.
Troop 95’s Eagle sled, which consisted of sled leader Doug F, Moses H, Robert S, Eddie D, Mike F, Carmelo D, Ryan M, Jack W, and Matt S, placed first in their senior division with an amazing time of 2h 51m, which was the only sub-3 hour time.
While in the junior category, Troop 95’s Ram sled, which consisted of sled leader Ian T, Timmy M, Luke J, Lucas R, Aaron D, Frank G, Ryan H, Noah A, James I, and Timmy C, placed 3rd with a very good time of 3h 51m. The Ram sled also had the lowest average age in their division, consisting of mostly first year scouts.