Scout hike teaches Ten Commandments

The Poplar Bluff Museum has tales about us, our family and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

On Oct. 8, 2005, hundreds of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, parents, Scout leaders and little brothers and sisters hiked through Poplar Bluff.

They went to 10 different churches to learn about the Ten Commandments.

Each church taught the Scouts one Commandment each.

Daily American Republican Staff Writer Linda Redeffer wrote, “Moses climbed Mt. Sinai to get the Ten Commandments, 260 of our neighbors walked three miles to get them too.” Scouts came from all over Missouri to participate, some as far away as Plano, Texas.

Boy and Girl Scouts have always pledged a duty to honor God. This hike was another way to do that, stated one Scout leader. Participating churches included the Highland Drive Church of Christ, Emmanuel House of Praise, First General Baptist Church, First Christian Church, First United Methodist Church, Zion Lutheran Church, Holy Cross Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church, Brown Chapel AME Church and the Second Baptist Church.

The Boy Scout Sioux District sponsored the event coordinated by George Stewart.

The hike was an annual event for several years following.

The hike stopped traffic through town. The city council celebrated the event issuing a “Proclamation” and presented to the Scouts by Mayor Loyd Matthews.

The DAR article written by Linda Redeffer is on display in the Scout Room of the Poplar Bluff Museum, as well as photos and the Ten Commandment BSA/GSA patch.

The museum is handicap accessible and open every Sunday free of charge from 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main St., Poplar Bluff (Formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.