Boy Scout Troop 59, chartered to First Presbyterian Church, had a weekend campout Nov. 3-5 at Fort Riley. The troop camped in a wooded area set aside for Scouts at Moon Lake, a park between the Main Post and the Custer Hill family housing area at the fort.

The highlight of the weekend was a session in a weapons training simulator, in which the Scouts used the same equipment that soldiers use to improve their combat skills. Using lasers instead of real ammunition with M-16 rifles, the simulator gives trainees realistic combat scenarios and tracks the accuracy of their shooting.

The Scouts then had lunch at the base PX, visited a maintenance facility, toured the 7th Cavalry Museum, learned about “Bleeding Kansas” in the 1850s, spent time on a physical training course and participated in the retirement of the colors at fort headquarters. Eric Yowell and John Fredrickson were chosen to help lower and fold the flag during the ceremony.

Before returning to Lawrence on Sunday, the troop traveled to the Brookville Hotel for a fried chicken luncheon.

Scouts who attended were Liam Inbody, Matthew Day, Nate Shobe, Conner Caldwell, Jonathan Gabler, Henry Chapman, Ryan Marienau, Jeffrey Ahle, Scott Regan, Carrick Finnigan, Patrick Fay, Luke Peirce, James Windholz, Phillip Gabler, Billy Barnes, Chip Allen, Colin Phillips, Trevor Leslie, Keil Eggers, Kane Eggers, Harrison Helmick, Josh Seybert, John Fredrickson, Derek Kappelman, Jeff Standing, Riley King, Eric Yowell, Adam Wangler, Bryce Best, Kevin Workman, Keagan Taylor, Alex Kong, Tristan Alfie, James Fredrickson, Josh Osterman, Scott Richardson, Jack Hearnen, Joe Stogsdill, Nolan Kappelman and Michael Tamerius.

Adult leaders were Ken Peirce, Don Shobe, Jim Barnes, Mark Workman, Patty Allen, Brenda Kappelman, Scott Phillips, Jon Standing, Keith Wood, Eric Caldwell, Kevin Fredrickson, Audrey Taylor, Doug Fay and Mark Inbody.