UNION SPRINGS - Sometimes the best way to deal with the cold and blowing snow is to play in the cold and blowing snow.

More than 100 Cayuga County Council of Boy Scout members and their parents enjoyed the weather at Klondike Derby 2004, an annual event in which scouts show off winter survival skills.

Originally scheduled a week earlier, the event had a smaller turnout than normal because some troops from the northern end of the county were snowed in and couldn't make the trip to Union Springs.

For Tim Monnin, 16, an Eagle Scout from Troop 56 in Port Byron, Saturday was his sixth Klondike Derby.

"It's nice to get out in the snow and see all the other troops," he said. "They usually have a lot of fun activities, like orienteering in the snow - trying to find your way around the wilderness."

Mike Damazyn, scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 43 of Auburn, said the youngsters practice the events of the derby - such as fire building, winter survival and river crossing - throughout the year.

"We do different activities as far as working up towards this Klondike Derby," he said. "They'll know what they need to work on when it's all over with. All they can do is just get better at it."

Chrissy Casler, district executive for the county Boy Scouts, said there were about 40 fewer scouts than normal.

"Red Creek got a foot (of snow) last night, so none of those little guys are here," she said.

The older Boy Scouts from Red Creek, Cato, and Port Byron did make it, but with the cold and snow, many Cub Scouts stayed home.

"Their parents don't want them to get sick," she said. "I was just out there for 15 minutes and my toes feel like they are going to fall off."

For those that were able to make it, the experience was rewarding, said Don Grillo, scout executive of Cayuga County.

"These are the memories that will last a lifetime," he said. "They'll think back on this and it will be with them for a long time. The kids learn something and have some fun at the same time. It's nice."

He also said the event helps families come together.

"We get a lot of parents to come out with their kids," Grillo said. "Some of them are even competing in the events, doing the obstacle course and stuff. I think the kids like to see their parents not only here, but participating as well."