How to take part
- 1Find the events — camporees, Klondike, expos on the district/council calendar.
- 2Schedule them at annual planning and register the troop.
- 3Practice the skills the camporee will test — knots, first aid, fire, orienteering.
- 4Prepare as patrols — the patrol competes as a team.
- 5Camp and compete — set up a good campsite and give the events your best.
- 6Meet other scouts — the fellowship is half the point.
The events
- Camporees — usually a weekend in spring or fall; patrols compete in scout-skills stations.
- Klondike Derby — a winter camporee where patrols pull a sled between skill stations in the snow.
- Other district events — Scout expos and shows, merit badge days, University of Scouting, and service events.
Notes & safety
- Standard camping and event safety — camporees follow normal camping safety, youth protection, and (for Klondike) cold-weather rules.
- Skill events done safely — fire building, tools, and first-aid stations run under supervision; follow station rules.
- Register and follow the event's rules — the district/council sets safety and participation requirements.
Going deeper
- Patrols compete. A camporee is the patrol method as a game — your patrol against others, which is why scouts practice hard for it.
- Klondike in the snow. The winter camporee's sled race between skill stations is a beloved cold-weather tradition.
- More than competition. Camping alongside other troops and meeting scouts from across the district is half the value.
Official source
Troop Leader Resources — Scouting America →The patrol-method framing is verified. Camporee, Klondike, and expo formats vary widely by district and council — confirm the specifics and rules with your local district/council.