For the first time in quite a while, the Boy Scouts of Greensburg’s Troop 577 packed their bags and set up their tents for a weekend of shooting.

The boys with their leaders and parents set forth to Batesville’s Coon Hunters to learn about historic weapons as well as firearm safety and accuracy. During the weekend, the boys were able to be in the room with a Thompson sub-machine gun. They also got to see a weapon that was most likely in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor Day.

Two scouts field qualified for their shotgun shooter merit badges during the weekend. Regardless of their skill level, the environment, according to leader Rick Meadows, was controlled, structured and safe.

This, he said, like many adventures of the troop, helps the boys learn how to think, how to lead and how to function in the real world. The boys are challenged to make good decisions and learn from their mistakes while supervised by responsible adult leaders.

The scouting experience, Meadows said, is a broad one. Within the activities of the troop, the boys have a lot to gain, regardless of their interests. Last month, the troop did a rope bridge and the month before, cabin camping. Next month, they will travel to the Lincoln Encampment to share with 3,000 Boy and Girl Scouts in a celebration of President Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday.

While the emphasis of this weekend was shooting, there were other activities for which the boys were responsible. They were to plan meals, do the shopping and cook them. They are to follow the laws of scouting and follow the rules.

The things they learn, Meadows said, are not found in a book. In scouting, they take on a variety of activities, learn a variety of skills and hold one another accountable for their decisions.

Troop 577 is made up of 42 scouts. At the last election, 35 of them were present. Former scouts return home from college and visit the monthly meetings.

Meadows believes the scouts are good for Greensburg.

“Stronger scouting,” he said, “leads to stronger people and a stronger community because it is about doing what is right. Any boy can come into scouting and excel.”