Updated December 22nd, 2021
Newest changes are bold and red
Newest changes are bold and red
EVENTS
TUG OF WAR: Weight limit is 700 lbs. for GS/MS units, 800 lbs. for BSA units. Each unit will weigh-in and have his/her hand stamped during the leader meeting. No cleated boots or shoes. No trenching. Girl Scouts/Mariners and BSA units are in separate, single elimination brackets. Move the center flag past a designated mark. Gloves may be worn. Participants will not be allowed to tie or cross-wrap the rope.
ORIENTEERING: Outdoor - 2 members. At a given starting point members will be given 2 sets of readings to follow by degrees. The correct final destination of their courses will be their goal. The two times will be added together. Timed/accuracy scoring.
SNOW SHOEING: Outdoor relay - 2 members. Race will be over a short set course. Timed/accuracy scoring.
SLED PULL: Outdoor relay - 4 members. Each person takes turns pulling a teammate over a designated course on the sled. Timed/maneuvering scoring.
FIRST-AID: Indoor - 4 members. Team will be given a first aid scenario. The team must diagnose and demonstrate treatment where possible. Those treatments that cannot be demonstrated must be explained. Timed/accuracy scoring.
SNOW SCULPTING: Outdoor - unlimited participation, 2 minimum. Conditions permitting, each unit will have a 10' x 10' area of snow in which to build their sculpture. Only a snow cube or bucket and shovel can be used. This will not be provided for you. Spray bottles are also permitted. No unnatural items or coloring can be added to the sculpture. Sculpting can be started at 10:00 AM and continues until 3:00 judging. Originality, neatness, and creativity scoring.
DRILLING AND MANEUVERING: Indoor inspection, outdoor competition - unlimited participation, 5 minimum. Time limit 3-5 minutes. Drill area is approx. 25 yds. x 25 yds. Marked by cones. Units will be scored on uniformity of dress (including formal dress inspection), originality, use of drilling area, spacing, marching and maneuvering, execution and compliance with required movements: Attention, At Ease, Dress Right, Forward March, Right and Left Face, Right and Left Flank, Column Right and Left, About Face, To the Rear, Present Arms, Halt, Parade Rest. Points will be deducted for repeated cadence calling. OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE JUDGES and other involved units involved, only SERIOUS participants competing please; ‘costuming’ is not acceptable. Because the routine will be executed outdoors, unit members may wear warmer clothing without penalty for dress during the routine.
KNOTS: Indoor relay - 4 members. You should know the identification of, USE of, and how to tie the following knots: Bowline, Sheetbend, Figure 8, Square, Clove Hitch, Sheepshank, 2 Half-hitches, Tautline Hitch. Timed/accuracy scoring.
LIFE JACKET RELAY: Indoor relay - 4 members. Each team member, in turn, must properly put on and secure the regulation Coast Guard approved life jacket provided, remove it and return to the starting line to tag the next member in line. Required method of securing the life jacket will be demonstrated at the event start. Timed/accuracy scoring.
HEAVING LINE: Indoor - 4 members. Each team member, in turn, will attempt 1 practice toss and 3 competitive tosses of a weighted line through a target bracket for 1, 3, or 5 points. Only the initial contact—and not the bouncing—counts. Accuracy scoring. Time limit will be used for tie-breaking.
SCOOTER OBSTACLE COURSE: Indoor relay - 3 members. Individuals will sit on scooters and maneuver a set course. Time/ accuracy scoring. Tennis shoes with non-marking soles only. THIS IS ALSO AN ADULT/ALUMNI EVENT.
2 SURPRISE EVENTS: Indoor - 4-6 members. Details of the events will be given at the leaders’ meeting.
INTERNATIONAL CODE FLAGS: Indoor - 4 members. Know letters and numbers of International Code flags. Method of testing will be given at leaders meeting.
SNOW SPY: Indoor/outdoor - 1 member. Participation event in which competitors (aka spies) are trying to gain the most points through capturing marks, enhancing the mysterious atmosphere, or performing other tasks assigned by the game coordinator (aka Guild Leader). The game runs without pause from opening time (TBD by Guild Leader) until one spy remains or until Awards. Further description below.
Timeline
Points
A spy earns one point for each successful capture:
Your unit is allowed to help you, but spies and ONLY spies can capture their mark. Unit mates can, for example, dive in front of a snowball or paper ball in order to prevent a capture, or help gather information about a certain mark. The list of examples is not exhaustive. Spies are only allowed to capture their current mark. Any captures made that are not their mark will not count.
Though they’re under no obligation to do so, Snowstorm staff can provide information. They also have the authority to remove spies or entire units from the game if found breaking the rules. They may award points to spies for certain actions (see Points) by reporting to the Guild Leader.
The Guild Leader is the Snow Spy event coordinator. They have the same authority as staff, with the added responsibility of settling disputes and/or loopholes—their word is the final say.
Secrecy
Lying is part of espionage, and indeed, anyone in the event is allowed to lie—with two exceptions:
Absolutes
ORIENTEERING: Outdoor - 2 members. At a given starting point members will be given 2 sets of readings to follow by degrees. The correct final destination of their courses will be their goal. The two times will be added together. Timed/accuracy scoring.
SNOW SHOEING: Outdoor relay - 2 members. Race will be over a short set course. Timed/accuracy scoring.
SLED PULL: Outdoor relay - 4 members. Each person takes turns pulling a teammate over a designated course on the sled. Timed/maneuvering scoring.
FIRST-AID: Indoor - 4 members. Team will be given a first aid scenario. The team must diagnose and demonstrate treatment where possible. Those treatments that cannot be demonstrated must be explained. Timed/accuracy scoring.
SNOW SCULPTING: Outdoor - unlimited participation, 2 minimum. Conditions permitting, each unit will have a 10' x 10' area of snow in which to build their sculpture. Only a snow cube or bucket and shovel can be used. This will not be provided for you. Spray bottles are also permitted. No unnatural items or coloring can be added to the sculpture. Sculpting can be started at 10:00 AM and continues until 3:00 judging. Originality, neatness, and creativity scoring.
DRILLING AND MANEUVERING: Indoor inspection, outdoor competition - unlimited participation, 5 minimum. Time limit 3-5 minutes. Drill area is approx. 25 yds. x 25 yds. Marked by cones. Units will be scored on uniformity of dress (including formal dress inspection), originality, use of drilling area, spacing, marching and maneuvering, execution and compliance with required movements: Attention, At Ease, Dress Right, Forward March, Right and Left Face, Right and Left Flank, Column Right and Left, About Face, To the Rear, Present Arms, Halt, Parade Rest. Points will be deducted for repeated cadence calling. OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE JUDGES and other involved units involved, only SERIOUS participants competing please; ‘costuming’ is not acceptable. Because the routine will be executed outdoors, unit members may wear warmer clothing without penalty for dress during the routine.
KNOTS: Indoor relay - 4 members. You should know the identification of, USE of, and how to tie the following knots: Bowline, Sheetbend, Figure 8, Square, Clove Hitch, Sheepshank, 2 Half-hitches, Tautline Hitch. Timed/accuracy scoring.
LIFE JACKET RELAY: Indoor relay - 4 members. Each team member, in turn, must properly put on and secure the regulation Coast Guard approved life jacket provided, remove it and return to the starting line to tag the next member in line. Required method of securing the life jacket will be demonstrated at the event start. Timed/accuracy scoring.
HEAVING LINE: Indoor - 4 members. Each team member, in turn, will attempt 1 practice toss and 3 competitive tosses of a weighted line through a target bracket for 1, 3, or 5 points. Only the initial contact—and not the bouncing—counts. Accuracy scoring. Time limit will be used for tie-breaking.
SCOOTER OBSTACLE COURSE: Indoor relay - 3 members. Individuals will sit on scooters and maneuver a set course. Time/ accuracy scoring. Tennis shoes with non-marking soles only. THIS IS ALSO AN ADULT/ALUMNI EVENT.
2 SURPRISE EVENTS: Indoor - 4-6 members. Details of the events will be given at the leaders’ meeting.
INTERNATIONAL CODE FLAGS: Indoor - 4 members. Know letters and numbers of International Code flags. Method of testing will be given at leaders meeting.
SNOW SPY: Indoor/outdoor - 1 member. Participation event in which competitors (aka spies) are trying to gain the most points through capturing marks, enhancing the mysterious atmosphere, or performing other tasks assigned by the game coordinator (aka Guild Leader). The game runs without pause from opening time (TBD by Guild Leader) until one spy remains or until Awards. Further description below.
Timeline
- Entry deadline – spies must give their full name and unit number to the Guild Leader.
- First Mark – Units report to the Guild Leader to get the full name of their spy’s first mark.
- New Information – Any new marks given out will come with that spy’s unit number. Active spies can report to the Guild Leader to get this information about their current marks.
- ALL SUCCESSFUL CAPTURES must be turned in before end of game (TBD by the Guild Leader) in order to receive points.
Points
A spy earns one point for each successful capture:
- The spy throws a ball made of snow (if outside) or paper (inside) while standing at least 5 feet away from their suspected mark.
- If they score a hit, the spy then asks if that person’s name is [mark’s name]. If they say yes, the capture is successful! If they say no, the hunt continues.
- The capturing spy’s unit mate must bring the captured mark to the Guild Leader and report the capture. The capture MUST be reported by two people, not just capturer or the mark. The captured mark’s own mark will then become the capturing spy’s new mark.
Your unit is allowed to help you, but spies and ONLY spies can capture their mark. Unit mates can, for example, dive in front of a snowball or paper ball in order to prevent a capture, or help gather information about a certain mark. The list of examples is not exhaustive. Spies are only allowed to capture their current mark. Any captures made that are not their mark will not count.
Though they’re under no obligation to do so, Snowstorm staff can provide information. They also have the authority to remove spies or entire units from the game if found breaking the rules. They may award points to spies for certain actions (see Points) by reporting to the Guild Leader.
The Guild Leader is the Snow Spy event coordinator. They have the same authority as staff, with the added responsibility of settling disputes and/or loopholes—their word is the final say.
Secrecy
Lying is part of espionage, and indeed, anyone in the event is allowed to lie—with two exceptions:
- Once a spy is successfully captured (ie hit with a snow ball), the capturer will ask if their name is [insert name]. The captured person must answer yes or no truthfully. This is an important point, since their capturer might be mistaken of who their mark is. You don’t have to volunteer your name, which preserves your secrecy from other spies—you only have to confirm whether or not you’re the person they’re looking for.
- No lying about the rules. Whether you’re asked by another unit, staff, or spy, the rules must always stay the same. Any attempts to convince people otherwise in order to give yourself or someone else an advantage will be considered grounds for forfeit.
Absolutes
- Any units or spies found knowingly breaking the rules of Snow Spy will forfeit their participation and receive no points
- No use of excessive force or inappropriate contact
- No captures in or near
- Bathrooms, showers, and changing rooms
- People participating in a Snowstorm event
- Kitchen/concession stand area
- Any area around a medical emergency
- Likewise, no hanging out only in off-limits areas in order to avoid capture
- Clean up your paper balls before leaving the area—no littering!
- Capture with caution! No throwing snowballs at faces, whipping paper balls at a table full of people eating, violently shoving bystanders away to get to your mark. Use common sense at all times.
- Consider what tools you can use, and what can be used against you. In previous years, marks have been identified using social media. Get creative and outthink your opponents!
TROPHIES
Best Overall: Separate awards for MS/GS and BS/SSS/VC/EP are given. Points systems is as follows: 1st place-40 points, 2nd place-20 points, 3rd place-10 points, and participation-5 points. Units will have their names engraved on a traveling plaque and will receive a personal trophy.
Best Drill Overall: Awarded to either 1st place GS/MS or 1st place BS/SSS/VC/EP unit. Traveling trophy will be awarded.
Most Valuable Leader Award: Mariners of 361 and staff will accept nominations for a leader of exceptional value, to their unit, their community, and scouting. Traveling trophy of a stuffed sea otter will be given to the recipient for a year. Please visit the Printables page to find the form.
Which-a-ma-call-it Award: Surprise award with different criteria each year. In 1999, it was a Spirit Award; 2000, a Most Energetic Award; 2001, a Most Helpful Award; 2008, Most Respectful. Traveling trophy will be awarded.
Best Drill Overall: Awarded to either 1st place GS/MS or 1st place BS/SSS/VC/EP unit. Traveling trophy will be awarded.
Most Valuable Leader Award: Mariners of 361 and staff will accept nominations for a leader of exceptional value, to their unit, their community, and scouting. Traveling trophy of a stuffed sea otter will be given to the recipient for a year. Please visit the Printables page to find the form.
Which-a-ma-call-it Award: Surprise award with different criteria each year. In 1999, it was a Spirit Award; 2000, a Most Energetic Award; 2001, a Most Helpful Award; 2008, Most Respectful. Traveling trophy will be awarded.