Boy Scouts gear up for derby at MMA

CASTINE – More than 300 Maine Boy Scouts and their leaders are expected to participate this weekend in the 36th annual Klondike Derby on the campus of Maine Maritime Academy.

The derby, sponsored by the MMA Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a national community service organization, features an overnight camp-out on the college campus Friday and a full day of activities beginning 8 a.m. Saturday, including skill-building sessions such as firefighting, swimming, marine science, wilderness survival, orienteering, local history, Web site design and engineering. An outdoor sled race beginning at 1 p.m. will involve additional survival skills.

The derby is the local APO’s annual service project designed to assist young people in the development of confidence, teamwork and traditional Maine outdoor skills and to help increase Scouts’ awareness of educational opportunities.