Come and Join The Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang for their 2008 Billy the Kid/Pat Garrett Days
Annual Membership Meeting and Campout from July 10, 2008 to July 14, 2008.
Come Join us in July 2008 as the Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang saddles up for it's 21st annual campout and membership meeting held evey year in historic Lincoln County, New Mexico where Billy and his Pals spent much of their time. Every year the BTKOG meets to discuss Billy the Kid/Pat Garrett and Lincoln County War history.
The campout is usually attended by many interested folks from all over the United States and sometimes even other countries ranging from newly interested people to seasoned and sometimes published researchers and historians. Many historical related speeches and discussions are usually held during the campout's festivities which offer something for the entire family.
Many fun filled games and activities are held to entertain the young and old alike such as the Billy the Kid look alike contest, ugliest outlaw contest, roping contest, bean bag toss, most authentic western attire contest, and several other fun filled activities. Winners of these activities will receive a custom hand made trophy designed by Doctor Robert Sproull himself every year specially for the BTKOG.
BTKOG member Julian Leyba has recently introduced many fun filled events over the last couple of years. The children who have attended the last couple of campouts have absolutely loved Julian's authentic Indian Teepee. Not only does it add an authentic touch to the campground, but it has become a popular hangout for the small children. Julian has also introduced the adult sport of knife throwing at last year's campout and it is being considered as a possible new event for the 2008 campout and membership meeting. Julian Leyba is a very popular outlaw who can also make a mean but very tasty dutch oven cobbler!
If you love the history of Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War, then the campout is a perfect atmosphere to learn even more. You just can't beat a relaxing weekend in the high mountain air of Lincoln County surrounded by pine trees so tall that they will literally take your breath away. In this atmosphere it is easy to have a great time with your family and to make many new friends!
During the 2008 campout the BTKOG will be taking a very special field trip to the old mining town of White Oaks. This town is a hotbed of history and you can nearly sense the ghostly presence of Billy, Pat, and many other early day frontiersman that passed through here. The field trip is planned for Friday and will include a trip to the White Oaks cemetery where Susan McSween and Deputy James Bell are both buried! Members will also have the chance to view the remains of several old buildings, some of which date back to Billy's time in the area! Check back on this website often as more details regarding this historic trip will be coming soon!
Usually Friday afternoons are spent discussing local legends, hanging out with old friends and always making new ones. Once the Friday night potluck supper is served many members gather around a mountain campfire telling tall tales and singing Cowboy and Western music with the sweet smell of pines floating on the breeze. All guitar players, singers, cowboy poets, etc. are more than welcome to join in. You will quickly learn that nobody is a stranger at the BTKOG campouts!
Saturday is always a very big day full of many fun filled acivities for the whole family to enjoy, such as games, guest speakers, etc. Also of note is the awesome chuckwagon style food that is so professionally cooked each year by BTKOG member "Cookie" Bill Allen and his son Roger!
Saturday night is always very memorable as the whole Gang once again gathers around the nightly campfire for more entertainment provided by longime members and new members alike. These fun filled campfire gatherings had been known to last into the early hours of next morning. Time surely flies when you are having fun!
Sunday morning starts with a wonderful breakfast and good old campfire coffee and is usually followed by the official membership meeting where many items are discussed ranging from the groups participation in historical promotion, preservation, etc. as well as the Gang's plan's for the following year's events such as the publication of it's annual Outlaw Gazette and the next year's campout preperations. We sincerely hope to have you join us at this year's 2008 campout and membership meeting to be held in Billy the Kid Country!!!
Plan "B" is the Valley of Fires Recreation Area, Carrizozo, NM
