OBSSEsed Fest '00!
Information Page

Die!Bug!Die!
Camp Scully

Fest '00 Registration Page  Visit McQuoid's - Home of Camp Scully
 

It's the Event of the 21st Century - The OBSSE Last Hurrah

Either you've been to one or both of the other FESTs or you've been kicking yourself for missing what has proven to be a laugh filled annual gathering of Brothers and Sisters where for three days there really is an Abbey. Well, we are doing it one last time. This is your last chance to join your fellow sibliren for the now infamous annual OBSSE FEST.

This summer on June 22 - June 25 the Brethren and Sistren of the OBSSE will gather on Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota for three-and-a-half days of Abbey fun in our third annual "OBSSEsed Fest." OBSSEsed Fest `00 will be an informal gathering of OBSSE Sisters and Brothers and promises to be a fun filled vacation with all your Abbey friends. This year we've chosen to take a nice trip to the forest for "Camp Scully" and visit the land of a thousand lakes where the mosquito is the state bird. Almost as smart as going to Texas during a heat wave or a place with no oxygen, eh?

Read on to find out more about what we've got in store. To hook up with other Sisters and Brothers who plan on attending and who`d like to share a room, car, and other expenses use our Fest mailing list. If you know for sure that you will attend, then fill out our Registration Form and send it to us, along with a snail mail check for $75, by May 1, and you`ll be all set to attend Fest. For more information, email festquestions@yahoo.com or ask on the fest mailing list. We'll be updating this page as plans for the Fest progress and using the Fest mailing list to put out important information.
 


CAMP SCULLY SCHEDULE
The following is a *tentative* schedule of events for OBSSEsed Fest `00! Rest assured even more scary details await. We'll keep everyone posted on the FEST mailing list.
Thursday, June 22
Gather Round the Campfire Day
  • 2-4 p.m.:  OBSSEsed Fest Check-In and Welcome Reception
  • 4:30 p.m.: Opening Mixer, complete with one of our ice breaker games
  • 5:30 p.m.: Catered dinner provided as part of your registration costs
  • 6:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m.:  Opening Night FESTivities (including telling campfire tales via special screenings and later a bonfire and the ever popular sing along complete with S'mores)
  • Friday, June 23
    Arts and Crafts Day
  • Complimentary continental breakfast provided by McQuoid's Inn, from 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
  • This is the day to enjoy the area and local activities or participate in OBSSE smaller group activities. We'll be organizing these on the FEST list, but they could include: canoeing, hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, or even a trip to the local casino. Plus, special Camp activities will be available at this time for those of you feeling crafty. Think "Bug Hunting and Identification with Sister Beer" or "Ax Grinding with Kirby."
  • (Lunch on your own)
  • 6 p.m.- late:  Dinner and drinks at Eddy's Lake Mille Lacs Resort home of food, beer, and bait for the perfect Minnesota experience (provided as part of your registration costs - you pay for your drinks)
  • Saturday, June 19
    Hey Kids, Let's Put on a Show Day
  • Complimentary continental breakfast provided by McQuoid's Inn, from 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
  • (Lunch on your own)
  • Free time or talent show practice. You'll need it.
  • 5:30 p.m.: FF Family BBQ (provided as part of your registration costs). We will be providing the food and the FF's to boss you around and assign various folks to cooking tasks for this group cooked meal.
  • 7 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.: Closing Night FESTivities - Camp Scully Talent Night. Be afraid.
  • Sunday, June 20
    The Worst Day
  • Complimentary continental breakfast provided by McQuoid's Inn, from 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
  • 11 a.m.: Check out time at McQuoid's

  • ACCOMMODATIONS
    We have selected McQuoid's Inn in Isle, MN to be our headquarters for this year's event.  Located about 100 miles north (an approximate two hour drive) of the Twin Cities, this idyllic resort should fulfill all of our Fest-going needs. We have already reserved 6 condos (that sleep up to 10 people), 3 cabins (that sleep up to 6 people) and 15 motel rooms (that sleep up to 4 people).

    The Condos are two story units with cathedral ceilings and an open loft overlooking the living room. Complete kitchens with dishwasher, a stereo, VCR, cable TV, fireplace and a deck with picnic table and gas grill. Towel and linens are furnished. The only difference between the deluxe and standard condo is that the deluxe ones have two person jacuzzi tubs in each bathroom (two baths per unit). There are two bedrooms downstairs with one full sized bed each, two twins on the loft, and two bedrooms upstairs with one full sized bed each. There are 2 deluxe units and four standards. They have sectional sofas, full dining room sets (6-8) people.

    The cabins have complete kitchens, stereos, VCRs, cable TVs, deck with picnic table and gas grill.  They have AC window units in the living room and bedrooms (the deluxe cabins have central air, fireplace and dishwasher).

    There are three types of rooms in the modern, 2 story Inn. Standard rooms have 2 queen size beds, air conditioned, cable TV, coffee maker, and telephone. Mini-kitchenette rooms have the same features as the standard room plus, microwave, coffee maker, and small refrigerator. Whirlpool suites are made for relaxing. They have a king bed and a whirlpool tub for two right in the room, a refrigerator to keep your beverages cold, coffee maker and a microwave. The large bathroom also has a tub and shower. (See McQuoid's website for rate info).

    They also have an RV park if you are so inclined.

    We will have full use of a large common room (complete with dance floor and a projection screen so no short sheeting Sister Autumn's bed this year) where our group activities will be held, as well as a hot tub and sauna. We will also have kitchen facilities available in an adjoining room, but there is not a stove in that kitchen. Any cooking will need to be done at the grills or in the rooms.

    The costs listed below are the totals for staying Thurs. through Sun. Please remember the prices below do not include tax or tourism fees (about 10%). Maid Service for the Condos and Cabins is extra if required and can be arranged through McQuoid's.

  • Deluxe condos (10 people)--$815
  • Standard condos (10 people)--$740
  • Deluxe cabin (6 people)--$535
  • Standard cabins (6 people)--$465
  • The deposit on rooms is  50% of the cost of your stay. You will need to pay for your room in full by two weeks before FEST. They need to have a credit card deposit or check by May 1st for each room. There is a 30 day cancellation policy. Any rooms not reserved by May 1st will be released by McQuoid's making it very difficult for you to find lodging in the area after that.

    We encourage OBSSE members to share rooms for obvious cost-saving purposes (and because lodging in this area is difficult to come by in the summer months so once our rooms are gone it may get tight). Rollaway beds are available also for the condos/cabins if needed for a $10 a night fee. If you are looking for a roommate, try the OBSSE Fest mailing list (information below).
     

    MAP OF MCQUOID'S LAYOUT


    RESERVATIONS

    Once you have registered for FEST, you need to make your room reservations with McQuoid's. Please reference the OBSSE group when making the reservation. Tracy is our contact at McQuoid's for the Fest. She knows what's going on. The resort staff would REALLY appreciate it if ONE person from each room called to make the reservation and was responsible for the room payment. In other words: Get organized before you call! You work out the details amongst roommates as to how payment will happen, and work it out before you call. Remember your first type of room selection may not be available so be flexible. If you wish to extend your stay at the McQuoid's in either direction, you can do so if the rooms are available. You can make your reservations by calling McQuoid's at 1-800-862-3535.
    IMPORTANT!
    YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING YOUR OWN
    HOTEL RESERVATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS!


    TRANSPORTATION

    O.K., listen up because this is the scary part. McQuoid's is a ways from Minneapolis / St. Paul, and getting there from the MSP airport will not be as simple as having someone run to the airport to pick you up or hopping a cab. You will need to plan your transportation in advance. We cannot be responsible for it. We encourage OBSSE members to organize "traveling buddies" for both inbound and outbound trips to the resort so that you can get to and from the airport with a minimum of stress. We STRONGLY recommend people find friends to share the cost of a car rental with.

    You can get to McQuoid's from the MSP airport by taking this route: Heading out of the airport, you want to head EAST.  Take the exit marked 5 EAST towards St. Paul. Then take the MN 55 WEST / MN 55 EAST exit -- it should say Minneapolis/Fort Snelling/Mendota Bridge. Stay to the left and merge onto MN 55 WEST, towards Minneapolis. Eventually you will come to a stop light. Go STRAIGHT through it, and you will find yourself on 62 EAST. Stay in your right lane. You want to take the exit for 35W NORTH. Stay on 35W NORTH; it will eventually turn into 35 NORTH. Take 35 NORTH out of the city; you will be on it for a long time. Go through Pine City and Hinckley. Past Hinckley, there will be an exit labeled "Finlayson/Askov."  Take this exit and make a LEFT at the top. That should be State HWY 18, and you should be heading WEST. Take HWY 18 WEST to State HWY 47 and head South. At this point you should be at Lake Mille Lacs -- you just need to head around the Lake to Isle. McQuoid's is on Hwy 47, so if you stay on it and head towards Isle, you can't miss it! It will be on your right hand side and there is a big sign.
     
     

    There is a nice index of car rental stuff on the MSP Airport Ground Transportation page.

    Remember to allow plenty of time if you are driving back on Sunday to catch a flight, because traffic in this area is heavy then. If it's like most summer weekends, the time needed to travel those 100 miles will probably be doubled, from what you'd expect according to folks that live there. This is the high season in that area, so plan accordingly.


    MEALS
    All dinners and continental breakfasts are provided as part of your registration costs. The Elders will furnish snacks and drinks for evening socializing and XF games and video watching at the conference room, payment for which is also provided through your reservation fee. All other meals will be Dutch Treat (you pay for your own). We will NOT be providing any alcoholic beverages. The legal drinking age in Minnesota is 21. The drinking of alcohol by those under 21 will NOT be tolerated and WE MEAN THAT. If you are under 21 and cannot abide by those rules do not come to FEST. Adults may purchase and consume the beverages of their choice. And for those so inclined, you may want to pack a blender. A list of the menus for the provided meals follows. (If you are a vegetarian we have done our best to provide an appropriate selection at all meals. Special requirements such as vegan or other more strict diets may require you to make special arrangements or bring whatever it is you can eat.)
    Thursday Night: OBSSE Buffet Night
    We'll be bringing in a buffet chuck wagon of chow this night. However, in order to plan accordingly we need you to pick out your selections now so the caterer knows what to cook. And we're going to hold you to your selection because they are providing exactly what you order, only buffet style. So no sneaking extra. Well, it's not like there won't be enough snacks. God knows we always have plenty of those.

    Your choice of entree:

  • Prime Rib Dinner (8 oz.)

  • · choice of potato
    · choice of salad or vegetable
    · dinner roll and butter
     
  • ¼ Baked Chicken Dinner

  • · choice of potato
    · choice of salad or vegetable
    · dinner roll and butter
     
  • Vegetarian Baked Lasagna

  • · garlic bread
    · choice of salad or vegetable
    · dinner roll and butter

    Potato options:  baked or augratin
    Salad/Vegetable:  tossed salad, marinated vegetables, green beans, or herbed corn
     

    Friday Night: Dinner at Eddy's banquet room
    Friday night we are taking a road trip to the banquet room at Eddy's overlooking the lake. Here you will get to choose from the following (all of which were sampled by the FEST crew and deemed delicious):
    We will be paying for your meal, tax and tip in advance as part of your registration costs. You will be responsible for paying for your drinks and associated tax and tip.

    REGISTRATION
    Registration for the OBSSEsed Fest `00 is $75 per person. You must be 18 years or older to attend. Your registration fee includes the following:
  • An OBSSEsed Fest `00 official scrub shirt!
  • Use of the McQuoid's Resort common room and equipment rental for the entire FEST period
  • Three dinners and continental breakfasts as described above
  • Snacks and beverages in the resort common room
  • A FEST "goodie" bag full of cool stuff
  • Your Fest `00 handbook
  • Prizes for a few lucky Sisters and Brothers
  • If for some reason any excess funds are left over from OBSSEsed Fest Registrations (and we sincerely doubt that this will be the case....), those funds will be donated to Neurofibromatosis, Inc. in Gillian Anderson's name. OBSSE members coming to the Fest from outside the U.S. should send a money order in U.S. funds.

    PLEASE NOTE: You will not be officially registered for FEST until your money is received. We will send out confirmation information to let you know when this happens. We have planned on approximately 100 attendees, we will do all we can to make sure everyone who wants to can attend, but there is limited space available and we will have to cap attendance.


    CANCELLATIONS
    Much of the costs of FEST this year have to be paid out in advance by your Elders. For this reason, we cannot guarantee a full refund if you decide to cancel. If you do need to cancel, we will try to fill your slot with another paying attendee. If we can do so, we will refund your fee (minus the cost of the shirt) after FEST. If we cannot fill your slot, we can only refund the amount not already paid out to cover the costs of FEST.

    In other words, don't register unless you are sure, and remember you also have to pay a 50% deposit for your room and have it paid in full two weeks ahead of time. Room cancellations must be handled directly with McQuoid's and follow their cancellation policy which is a 30 day policy.


    I CAN'T MAKE IT, BUT I'D LIKE A SHIRT!
    If you can't make the Fest but you'd still like an OBSSEsed Fest `00 Scrub Shirt, just go to the Registration Form and check the "I just want the shirt" box. Shirts are $16 for U.S. members and $18 for members outside the U.S. Make sure you include your email, snail mail address, and shirt size. (Please note that the price includes postage and handling.)

    WAIVER
    All Fest `00 attendees will be required to sign a legal waiver form at registration. As you all know, we are a simple Internet club run for fun, and we cannot be held legally responsible for you.

    ABOUT MILLE LACS
    As evidenced by the picturesque opening sequence of Little House on the Prairie, the natural landscape of Minnesota is a panorama of valleys, prairies, wilderness areas, high bluffs, rocky shores, and thousands upon thousands of lakes. Situated near the center of the state, about 100 miles north of the Twin Cities, is one of these natural wonders, Lake Mille Lacs.

    Mille Lacs is home to dozens of resorts and a wealth of opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as fishing, swimming, hiking, biking, and canoeing. And for those of you lacking that axe-swinging Jersey Devil spirit, Grand Casino Mille Lacs is but a short drive away.

    The town of Isle, home of McQuoid's Resort and Fest '00, is on the southern end of the lake and offers gift shops, restaurants, a park, and essentials such as gas, grocery, video rental, liquor, and bait.

    Sitting proudly at approximately 573 feet above sea level, the altitude in Isle won't be a problem this year, but, standing at an average of 85%, the relative humidity may wreak havoc on the unaware. In other words, pack your own hairdryers as McQuoid's is in the business of providing lodging, not prancified amenities.

    Want a Minnesota primer? Your fest hostesses have put one together with all sorts of important information. You can take a look at it here.


    FEST MAILING LIST
    So you've got this far and you are definitely coming. Well then, please use the handy form below to register for the FEST `00 mailing list where we will answer questions, make announcements, and generally just get ready for this great event!
    Subscribe to OBSSEFest 00 Planning
     obssefest archive hosted by eGroups.com

    See you this summer!