CAMP OYO Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow CAMP OYO HISTORY Introduction We have been searching for more definitive answers to where and how Camp Oyo came about. We have found some interesting pieces to this puzzle. We know that documents of the donation of the land and other important factors of the Camp's history were lost in the 1937 flood. The Scioto Area Council office was completely underwater. We know that before the merger of the councils that became the Simon Kenton Council, a lot of Camp Oyo's history, in the form of letters, grants, surveys, photographs and more "disappeared" when the old council executives left. We have been asking some "old timers" to help us recreate a history of Camp Oyo. For now, we now that land from what was then known as the "Roosevelt Game Preserve" (after President Teddy Roosevelt, who loved nature, and to hunt), later became Ohio's largest forestland, the Shawnee Forest, was purchased and then donated to the local Boy Scouts by local charitable groups. Other groups, such as the Kiwanis and veterans groups from the Spanish-American and Civil War and others also were involved. The land was given to the Boy Scouts under the premise that it would only be used for that purpose and not sold or converted to a profit making enterprise. The Camp prospered under local help and guideance. Facilities We would also like to hear from folks who helped build or know the history of each cabin or building on the camp property. We know that folks like a Maysville native, Gerald F. Boyd, a Silver Beaver, and a Doctor Lang were big supporters of Camp Oyo and their fanilies gave financial support to justify buildings named in their honor. The Boyd Lodge acts as our camp administration and training building, but it's original intent was as a respite for adult leaders during camp sessions. It is also used a a year-round training center and the basement is kept as an emergency shelter in the event of a disaster. Just recently we heard from a gentleman from California whose father was a young scout at Camp Oyo during it's early days. He is looking into more artifacts and information, but knew that Camp Oyo was dear to his Dad's heart. Merle Johnston's Dad colored the attached 1930s era map of Camp Oyo. Take a look at it and you'll discover many amazing things. Camp Oyo in the 1930s In the 1930s, to the best of our knowledge, neither the cabins or campsites had formal names. The road leading to Camp Oyo from Ohio 125 involved crossing a rickety wooden bridge, about where a utility transformer now sits. It appears it ran through what is now Archery Range and into camp. Shawnee Road and Forest Road 1 were not yet developed. There was also a shortcut for those hiking into camp, which was the norm back in those days. North Field as we now know it did not yet exist. Later, power lines and the clearing needed to service them lead to the development of North Field. The gateway was a "Pioneer Fort" type, near the top of the hill coming into camp, just below the Block House. Headquarters and Camp Hospital were located in what we now call "Dan Beard." Where the Camp barn now stands once stood the Ladies' Restroom. A log cabin once stood for the Camp Caretaker and/or staff members, which is now where the Camp Ranger's residence now stands. Men's and Boy's toilets used to be in a buliding behind the Block House. A road used to lead up and back (two ways!) to the Lodge. What we now call Wagner Lodge used to be the training center, and included it's own kitchen. The Archery Range used to be in the lower part of what we now call the Parade Field. In-camp parking used to be along the road going up to the Dining hall, head-in only! (There was no camp parking lot in those days, or policy against parking in camp. People had better sense back then. Hiking, car-pooling and bus service got scouts and troops to camp.) The old "deserted" CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) camp used to be across Ohio 125 from the entrance to camp. It is now a vacant field owned by the ODNR and maintained by the Forestry Division. In the 1930s, Boyd Lodge and the picnic shelter did not exist, but there was a Toilet in that area. We later called the toilets "KYBOS" and they are still known as such today. Not popular with our more house-sitting boys, the acronym "KYBO" means "Keep Your Bowels Open." A wooden signal tower existed in the area of what is now the Miller Health Lodge. Volleyball, axe throwing and horseshoe courts were once at the place where the Trading Post is now. Bleachers were once in the ballfield where many weekend and summer games were played. This was way before organized Little League and Pony Leagues started popping up in the city and county. What we now know as the Chapel was in 1930 an outdoor wood log theatre where many productions were held. A dock sat at the shoreline of the Camp Oyo lake, where canoes were always skirting the water. The dam actually worked! It created the lake. The pool downstream was very popular for anglers. Iriquois campsite had four wooden slat cabins and outdoor ovens for cooking! Above Clark cabin there was a three story cabin-tower for troop camping in 1930! A large outdoor double oven was located in the ravine between Lewis and Clark cabins, part of it is still there. Outdoor ovens were also located just to the right as you entered the upper area of the ballfield. A road lead from the road next to the Trading Post down through what we now call Mingo. It lead to the creek. The campsite we now call "Lower Mingo" was the location of the Campfire Circle. A path lead from the nearby road to the Dam where parts of ceremonies were conducted. The building we now call the "OA Tower" was once the camp pumphouse and included a water tank and the camp fire engine! The map shows the location of the often called "Wetzel" cabin. It was in 1930 the "Scouter's cabin" for leaders and their families. Our map indicates that cars were driven to there and a ladies' toilet was located behind it. The map also has drawn on it an "X" which may indicate a place where boyhood adventures were played out. They used much more of the camp area in those days than we do now, but we added, over the years, North Field; the Archery Range and the Rifle Range. Some things to think about ............ The ballfield is not now or has long ever been a "ballfield." It should be disected into three or four specific camping areas as other council camps have done with such open areas. The area around what was once a cabin, near the upper edge of Camp Oyo land should also be developed into a campsite. There were many more "toilets" back then than there are now. More KYBOs need to be developed. Do you have information to share? Do you have any old photos, maps or any artifacts to present for sharing to the world? CONTACT US We will glady return any item sent to develop this page. Visiting Portsmouth or coming to Camp Oyo soon? Check here first for resources ............ THE FOX HOME BASE | | 2005 JAMBOREE | 2006 RIVER SWEEP | CAMP HISTORY TOUR CAMP OYO © 2003 - 2007 Phil Malone, webmaster. All rights reserved.