Feast Fest

Feast Fest

    This month, we had one of our traditional troop camping trips… Feast Fest! Feast Fest is a campout dedicated to having fun and good food. Traditionally, the troop holds this event at Boy Scout Camp Oyo, near Portsmouth, Ohio.

     It all started with the long drive (2 to 3 hours) to Camp Oyo. The large procession of vehicles left the lockup in the dark. Before we knew it, we were out of Cincinnati and on our way down State Route 52. We passed quite a few power plants situated cozily along the Ohio River, while seeing rolling farmland and old barns on the other side of the road. We went through several towns with beautiful Christmas decorations and long strings of colored lights along the road. About halfway through our drive, we stopped at our usual Marathon station to get snacks, drinks, etc. and to go to the bathroom. With all of our Scouts and leaders lined up all the way across the convenience store, it was probably one of the most successful business days of that gas station’s year. Three hours and a half dozen power plants after leaving the church, we finally arrived at Camp Oyo. We got to work unpacking and setting up, and eventually went to bed.

     Saturday was leisurely and busy at the same time. The day started out with everybody making breakfast at the dining hall. For a while everyone sat around the fireplaces eating and talking. Once patrols were finished eating and cleaning, they had some free time to prepare for the 5 mile hike. The hike was scheduled for 9:00AM, and left a little bit after that.

     The hikers went off on their adventure, while the rest of us stayed back at camp to have our own. We had some free time, so we passed the time by playing on the new obstacle course, playing cards and a few board games, building fires, and just hanging around. One exciting thing that happened was a soccer game, with Scouts from nearly all of the patrols. Most of those who weren’t playing were sitting outside the dining hall watching the game. Later there was a football game that included several members of another troop staying nearby. When the hikers returned, about 2:15, several patrols ate their lunch, while others got ready to begin cooking dinner. Why, you ask, were people cooking dinner in the afternoon? Well, this wasn’t just a dinner. This was a feast!

     Slowly, the Sun went down, and dinner time crept closer. This colossal meal was going to begin at 7:00. Finally, as it neared seven, the tables and benches were pushed together into a long row…

     At about ten after seven, the masses of people sat down to eat. The tables had been positioned and set; the food was laid out, ready for consumption. Max B. prayed, and then Mr. Zink and Jackson T. announced what delicious food each patrol had made. There were things like fajitas, mac n’ cheese, soup, cornbread, and all kinds of other mouthwatering dishes. For dessert, there were four cobblers and two cherry dump cakes, as well as pumpkin crisp. Everyone soon got in line to heap the amazing food onto their plates. As Nate S. said, there was lots of feasting and festing. Once the meal was over, many people went back to their cabins to relax, while the rest stayed back for the dreaded cleanup operation. (It was a big mess.)

     Once cleanup was over, most people went to their cabins. For a while, wrestling was held at the bunkhouse. Eventually, though, the Scouts grew sleepy and went to bed.

     Sunday morning was (as usual) not as easy-going as the previous day. There was waking up, packing, eating, cleaning, inspecting, loading, and leaving. Once again, we were soon zooming down 52, this time the opposite direction. We passed those rolling hills, houses and old barns, cheery little towns, and power plants yet again. This time we did not stop. A little ways into the afternoon we rolled into the parking lot of the church, most of us a bit tired (probably an understatement). The crowds of Scouts unloaded the trailer with a kind of sleepy but enthusiastic effort. Once it was all over, we got into our cars and left, this time on a much shorter journey: going home.