Marion Boy Scouts learned about pioneer history and got practical experience with the barter system Jan. 15 through 17 at Trappers’ Rendezvous, an annual campout at Harvey County Park West.

The 2010 rendezvous had 4,556 scouts and adults registered, setting a new record. Scouts were able to participate in several demonstrations, including black powder rifle shooting and tomahawk throwing, scout Zack Fruechting said.

Scouts also were able to learn about history from 11 mountain men re-enactors. Each re-enactor was in costume as a specific historic figure and would tell scouts about that person’s history.

But the biggest event of the rendezvous was bartering Jan. 16. Camp organizers encourage scouts to bring anything they might want to trade with other scouts. The use of cash is strictly forbidden, adult leader Caroline Kelly said.

Pocket knives are always a popular trade item, but scouts also bring video game consoles and games, trading cards, and crafts.

At one point Fruechting traded for a remote-control car before trading it away for something else.

Scout John Lind traded for a Gamecube game and controller, he said. Someone in the troop traded for a game console, he said.

“It’s cool watching these guys trade,” adult leader Mike Fruechting said.

Scouts cooked their meals during the campout, adult leader Doug Lind said. The adults are getting better at letting scouts do things for themselves, he said.

In addition to Kansans, scouts from Iowa, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Colorado attended the rendezvous. Pleasant weather contributed to a good weekend, Kelly said.

“It was a good camp all around,” she said.