Scoutin’ the town

While the streets of downtown Odessa aren’t usually meant for hiking, local Cub and Boy Scouts had walking sticks in hand Saturday morning as they enjoyed the scenery and learned about religion.

“We’re just learning a little bit of something about the Ten Commandments by hiking to different churches around Odessa,” Nicky Martinez, Buffalo Trail Council district director, said. “The hike is something fun, yet it still exposes them to all the different religions.”

Martinez said since there are many different denominations, the Scouts made stops at a Catholic, First Christian and a Methodist church while on their hike.

The hike began at Buffalo Trail Council building, 1101 W. Texas Ave., and ended at Belmont Baptist Church, 1200 W. Eighth St.

Joey Aceves, 11, of Andrews, said he enjoyed the spiritual and physical aspects of Saturday’s hike.

“Learning more about the different religions is cool, and I also like the hiking part,” Aceves said as he walked past the Ector County Courthouse. “I’m getting exercise and hanging out with my friends — it’s better than sitting around at home.”

Reed Jefcoats, 10, said he liked the hike but was excited about the flag retirement ceremony at the Veterans Park because of his family’s military background.

“I can’t wait to get to the Vietnam memorial,” he said. “My dad and his father were both Marines so that’s pretty cool. I like anything involving the military.”

After the flag burning and hike were finished, Martinez said the Odessa Scouts met up with troops from Midland, who did a similar hike, to eat hot dogs at the Commemorative Air Force Museum.

While the hike was a way to get to learn the Ten Commandments, Martinez said it was also a way to recruit new members.

“Maybe parents will see that their kids aren’t in sports and see us hiking,” Martinez said. “Maybe they’ll say we should put our boys in Scouts.