I Remember Dad: A Most Endearing Klondike Derby

By Richard Mabey Jr.

My father served 25 years of volunteer service as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 170, of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Lincoln Park. Of all the many scouting activities that Troop 170 was involved in, I think that the Klondike Derbies were one of Dad’s dearest remembrances. A special memory of my father’s love of the Klondike Derbies, came in January of 1968.

The Klondike Derbies were always held on the first weekend after the first of January. So in 1968, the Klondike Derby for the junior teams (scouts between 11 and 13 years old) was held on Saturday, January sixth. The Klondike for the senior

Celebrating

50 Years teams (scouts between 14 and 17 years old) was held on Sunday, January seventh.

In January of 1968, I was 14 years old and in my freshman year at Boonton High School. I was to be part of the senior team. As Dad and I rode home from the Friday night scout meeting, Dad asked me if I wanted to ride with him to Camp Allamuchy the next day, to see the junior team get ready and take off from the starting line. I didn’t miss a beat. I told Dad that I would love to go with him.

Well, the Klondike Derby sled had been packed and put on the back of my dad’s Ford Econoline truck, at the Friday night scout meeting. Dad and I rode alone continued on page 19