Nicholas Gardner, 15, of Poland Scout troop 9044 tries to flip a pancake over a clothes wire during a competition at the Whispering Pines Klondike Derby Saturday at Camp Stambaugh. More than 160 youths participated in the day-long derby.

CANFIELD — More than 160 boys and girls spent a record-breaking warm Saturday in the mud, chopping wood, raising flags and pushing sleds stocked with equipment not unlike those used by late 1800s gold seekers in the Klondike.

The annual Whispering Pines District Scouts BSA Klondike Derby is based on the real-life struggles encountered by the men and dogs who crossed the frozen Klondike after gold was discovered there in 1896 — and also challenges Scouts to practice their skills and teamwork, according to Whispering Pines District committee member Anthony DiTommaso.

“It’s interdisciplinary,” DiTommaso said. “We’re trying to get them to work in the outdoors, think in the outdoors and help each other.”

Always held in January, the daylong event at Camp Stambaugh usually is accompanied by blustery conditions, but this year rain was the greatest threat to the outdoor competitions that included orienteering, fire building, first aid, cooking, blind-folded shelter building, knot tying and Scouting heritage.

DiTommaso said most events worked just as well in the rain, but damp conditions made the Scouts work a little harder to build fires.

Scouts were broken into teams, or patrols, of five to eight people and won “gold” for achievements, which could be used later to bid on items in an auction.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn more about basic outdoor skills and grow your team skills,” Scout Nicholas Gardner, 15, with Poland Troop 9044, said.

A favorite event was pancake cooking — Scouts mixed batter, cooked the cakes, tried to flip them over a clothes wire and catch them. The event added a tasty element to the overall competition.

“You get to eat your pancakes after you finish flipping them,” Nicholas said.

Speaking from experience, Nicholas added, “Don’t bring a pan with a wooden handle for the pancake part, because you will burn that off.”

Isabella Scacchetti, a venturing Scout with Youngstown Troop 9055, said her favorite part of the Klondike Derby is camping outside the night before and after the daylong event. Despite the rainy conditions Friday night, Isabella said she stayed dry — though others said their tents flooded during the night.

Isabella said she would encourage others to try the event, despite the mud and weather.

“I’d probably sugar-coat it a little bit, ’cause they might not like it when you say there’s mud and rain and whatever,” Isabella said. “But it’s honestly a good time … just come out and try it at least.”

In addition to the elements and the competitions, Scouts this year faced an additional challenge — an imperial claims jumper, played by committee member Doug Sipp, challenging Scouts with games and questions in an attempt to steal away their gold.

“They’re getting gold, I’m taking the gold,” Sipp said.