From left, Marissa Glidewell of Christopher Troop 156 G, Margot Willis of Harrisburg Troop 23 G, Melissa Walter of Christopher Troop 156 G, Angelina Carr of Harrisburg Troop 23 G and Sarah Bain from Marion Troop 42G took third-place honors at the 50th Klondike Adventure 2021.
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WILLIAMSON COUNTY - Southern Illinois may have been a couple of weeks removed from its largest snow in several years, but that didn't stop area Boy Scouts from learning winter camping and survival skills over the weekend.
The Klondike Adventure 2021 celebrated the 50th anniversary of winter camping for area scouts. The first Klondike was held in 1971 at nearby Giant City State Park, and since has moved to Pine Ridge Scout Reservation on the shores of Little Grassy Lake.
This year's event featured a recreation of scouting challenges first presented at the inaugural event. Scouts learned first aid, emergency camping tips, bridge-building skills and firestarting tricks. Each event was scored.
Members of Marion's Troop 21 took first place honors at the event, while a combined girls team from Harrisburg 23G, 156G and Marion 42G took third-place honors.
Though the original event was scheduled for January, it had been moved to the first weekend in March as a COVID-19 mitigation strategy. The weekend featured beautiful daytime weather, but below-freezing temperatures at night to provide a legitimate winter camping environment. Scouts and adult leaders were required to wear face masks as well during the event.
Members of Marion Troop 21 took top honors at the 50th Klondike Adventure 2021 over the weekend. From left are Scoutmaster Marc Henshaw, Cory Fuqua, Judah Pape, Leo Burnett, Kyler Henshaw, Dawson Burnett and Xander Fuqua.
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From left, Harrisburg Troop 23 B Scouts Justin Horn, Braden Hall, Justin Haney, Landon Bailey, Jordan Spanel, Peyton Daymon and Chance Lampley participated in the 50th Anniversary Klondike 2021 Adventure. Assistant Scoutmaster Chris Spanel, back right, supervised the troop.
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Harrisburg Troop 23 B Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Justin Haney, second from left, was one of five Boy Scouts recognized for exemplary scouting during the 50th Klondike Adventure 2021.
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From left, Harrisburg Troop 23 B members Landon Bailey and Chance Lampley show off the camp gadget, a pot hanger, they helped build using lashings. Scouts Justin Haney and Justin Horn started the project but were unavailable for the photo.
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Harrisburg Troop 23 B Scout Braden Hall spoons seasoned chicken onto a plate while Scout Justin Haney, left, observes Assistant Scoutmaster Chris Spanel teach cooking techniques.
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Boy Scouts raise the colors at the 50th Klondike Adventure 2021 the past weekend.
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