The Rochester Boy Scouts held their annual Thanksgiving dinner and "merriment" on Saturday night for fellow scouts, their families, officers and members of the community.

"It's really just our way to give back," said Troop 31 leader Mike Blanchard.

Every year, Troop 31 spends the day preparing the meal, including eight turkeys cooked in (clean) trash cans over a fire at the Scouts' campground.

Others help make all the traditional Thanksgiving fixings at the Grange Hall.

"I really look forward to it every year," Blanchard said. "It gives the boys a chance to cook for their parents, too."

The Thanksgiving dinner contributes to rank requirements for the Scouts and gives them "real world experience," said the Scout leader.

After dinner, the Scouts invited guests to their camp where there was a large fire and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts sang songs and performed skits.