Boy Scout Ten Commandment Hike

Boy Scouts make their way from St. John The Baptist Catholic Church to the second church on their 7-mile 10 Commandments Hike, Second Baptist Church.

"God loves you. He created you. Don't forget that," instructed Bishop Edmond Carmody to Boy Scouts who were about to embark on an all-day, seven-mile hike visiting churches from various faiths on the city's Southside recently.

The Ten Commandments Hike began with instruction on the first two Commandments at St. John the Baptist Catholic, the first from Bishop Carmody and the second followed by Father Paul Hesse, pastor of St. John. Over 200 Boy Scouts and their troop leaders from throughout the Corpus Christi area participated in the event, which last occurred in the diocese three years ago.

Bishop Carmody said he even wore the scouting uniform as a boy growing up in Ireland adding proudly, "I wore a belt with the words ‘Be Ready' in Gaelic."

At each church visited, the Boy Scouts gained new insights about each of the Ten Commandments, while also learning more about different faiths in the process. The exercise helps foster understanding of different religions, as well as tolerance of accepting differences among their peers, noted Ruth Luna, organizer of this year's event.

"Duty to God is part of the Boy Scout's oath…I believe that the boys should be given every opportunity to practice this duty. They also need to have every opportunity to learn how to be understanding and how wonderful diversity can be," she added.

Luna, who has been involved in scouting since her son was a Tiger Cub eight years ago, now serves as a Committee Member for Troop 87. Her husband, Richard Luna, is the Scoutmaster for the same troop and their son is currently a Life Scout and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.

There were Boy Scouts from various other Christian traditions participating in the hike, as well.

"The hike gives the boys and parents for that matter, a better understanding of traditions and belief systems of their fellow scouts," said Luna. "For some scouts this can be their first introduction to a religion that is not their own."

Joseph Perez, a fifth grader at Holy Family School, said he was eager to learn things about the Ten Commandments he didn't already know.

"I also want to have fun with my friends," he said.

Rozella Cantu, a den leader for the Scorpions Webelos, said it was a great experience for the scouts.

"Physically, the hike was rigorous because of the wind gusts. We also wanted the children to see what it was like for Christ to have endured the hike up the mountain with a heavy cross," Cantu said.

Luna added the hike helps teach the boys other skills besides the obvious religious overtones.

"The boys also learn that they need to plan for any possible hurdles that may appear in their lives," she said. "The role of the church is more connected to the Scout Oath and Scout Law. These are what Boy Scouts commit to live by, no exceptions. These boys are expected to take these Laws and the Oath seriously and make them part of their everyday lives. Faith in God should also be part of their everyday lives."

For Luna, she had many highlights during the trek with the scouts, including seeing the smiling faces of the scouts and hearing them laugh despite their obvious fatigue.

"Watching the boys laugh and interact with speakers was also rewarding. I enjoy watching Boy Scouts having fun while learning. It kind of lets you know that the work is worth it and is done right," she said.

The end of the hike found the scouts at Church of Christ Lakeview, just across the street from where they began the day at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church more than seven hours earlier.

There, Lee Montgomery of the Church of Christ discussed the last two commandments with the children before the day's activities ended.

"Is there anything wrong with wanting things like a cool car?" he asked the crowd emphatically. "No, not if you don't do things like giving up your family life, which is getting dangerously close to coveting something."

Each scout who endured the day-long hike received a commemorative Ten Commandments Hike patch to add to their scouting uniform, as well.