SPRING TRACE COMPETITON CRITERIA

General Rules for Event Prizes

Young Bucks will compete for LOTS of prizes!! This is a new prize system, and we're going to try it out at Spring Trace this year. If everyone likes it, we'll keep it. If nobody likes it, we'll try something else. Points will be awarded for achievement as well as participation. In some respects, it will be like an untimed Seneca Run, with points being scored for every event participated in. This means the more events you enter, the more points you get! Of course, doing well in the events gets more points, so consistency and perseverance may pay off big in the end. Prizes will be laid out on the blanket at Sunday morning assembly. Young Bucks will pick out their prizes according to their points. Most points pick first, second most picks second, etc. Every Young Buck that competes in an event gets to pick up something.

Points will be awarded as follows:

1st place 25 pts

2nd place 10 pts

3rd place 9 pts

4th place 8 pts

5th place 7 pts

6th place 6 pts

7th place 5 pts

8th place 4 pts

9th place 3 pts

10th place 2 pts

Participation 1 pt per event (unless you come in 1st- 10th place, then you get the place pts)

Old Timers will compete for bragging rights. (I will personally guarantee your name in print so your bragging rights will remain secure until Fall Trace. Brag all you want.)

Burn-the-String Fire Starting Competition

All fires must be started with pre-1840 technology. The “bird’s nest” may be pre-made at any time during the Trace. None may be brought in from outside the camp. You must bring your own kindling to the Fire Starting area. String and string holder sticks will be provided. The first person to burn a string strung 12” over the fire is the winner. Judge will keep the time, and his decision is final.

Cut-the-Card Knife Throw

A colonial playing card will be hung on the knife block by a string from the top, and the thrower tries to cut the card with their knife. 1 point is awarded if the knife sticks in the block but does not hit the card. 2 points are awarded if the card is cut and 3 points if any portion of the card is separated from the other. 4 shots are taken and the total points are recorded. If the string is cut on any of the throws, the remainder of the throws are taken without the card. (i.e. maximum points achievable with cut string is 1 point per throw.)

Atlatl Throw

Rules will be the same as those for Territorial Rendezvous Atlatl Throw. Atlatls and darts have been provided by Mountain Bear. (Be sure to thank him!) You can throw your own darts if you have them. Official darts will have to be purchased to compete at Territorial Rendezvous (Bear’s are Bear-made, not official. Better – but still not official.)

Targets will be placed at 20 yards. Target size will be approx 4’ square and have 5 scoring rings. 3 darts will be thrown by each competitor. To score, dart must stick in or go through target. Scoring will be as follows:

Bullseye (Yellow) ring – 10 pts

Red ring – 8 pts

Blue ring – 6 pts

Black ring – 4 pts

White ring – 2 pts

No ring, but stuck in target – 1 pt

Black Powder Rifle Shoot

To be determined by the Range Safety Officer

Natural Dessert Cooking Competition

You make cook whatever dessert you want. But you can use ONLY ingredients that would have been widely available ON THE FRONTIER prior to approximately 1800. Yes, that means that, even though white flour and sugar were available prior to 1800 to the rich, enough of that to make an average cake would have cost two year's average salary in 1790, so that is not appropriate. Use honey or fruit to sweeten, and use whole grains to add the body to the desert.

Judging will be strictly enforced by a doctor who teaches at a university with a history that traces back to the 1800’s (okay the late 1800’s – but the 1800’s none-the-less!!) The doctor will be assisting the judges, and his decision is final.