85 Scouts enjoy YSU lock-in
Connor Obradovich (14) of Cortland swims at YSU Natatorium for an all night Boyscout troop Lock-in Saturday December 27, 2008
By Ed Runyan
Troops from Youngstown, Poland, Boardman, Hubbard and Bazetta participated.
YOUNGSTOWN — It was 8 p.m. Saturday, and about 85 boys age 11 to 18 were inside Beeghly Center’s gymnasium, the arena where Youngstown State University plays basketball.
Above them was the huge, NBA-style scoreboard. Below them was the shiny, new floor, refurbished at a cost of more than $70,000.
But these boys were not here to watch basketball, they were here to be locked in overnight — to play basketball, swim in the YSU swimming pool, play corn hole, volleyball and other games and watch movies.
It was the start of the 13th annual Troop 55 and YSU Scout Holiday Lock-In.
For three Hubbard boys, all age 15, this was the third year of participating in the event.
“You get to play on a really cool basketball court, which I won’t get to do [otherwise] because I’m really terrible at basketball,” said one of the three, Jeff Hill.
“You get to stay up all night and have fun,” said Brandon Oaks.
Both boys agreed that they would be disappointed if they don’t make it to 7 this morning — when the lock-in ends — without sleeping.
Using the diving area in the swimming pool, including the low diving boards, is one of the other highlights of the event, Hill added. Lifeguards and a security guard are provided to make sure everyone stays safe.
The boys agreed that the lock-in is one of about six memorable Scouting events each year, but this one is structured the opposite of most events.
Instead of taking their camping gear to a campsite, setting up and going to sleep well before midnight, this one involves getting to the site and staying up.
Clayton Walker, 13, of Struthers, one of the younger boys, was playing basketball just after the event began.
“I like this place,” he said. “It’s gonna be fun.”
There is very little in the huge building that is off limits to the boys and their 20 or so adult chaperones.
“No pistol range. Other than that, we have the run of the place,” said Martin LaRue, a leader of Troop 44 in Poland.
Among the other troops attending this year were ones from Petersburg, Boardman and Bazetta.
Rich Cook, scoutmaster of Troop 55 of Youngstown, based at First Presbyterian Church, which organizes the lock-in every year, said an all-night event is something different, which makes it memorable.
“If you can give them something fun, they’ll remember it,” he said.
Among the most memorable campouts the boys have had over the years have been the ones where weather conditions were the worst — deep snow, lots of rain or lightning.
“It’s always the unique thing,” he said.
runyan@vindy.com