Brent Learned – Grand Junction, Colorado … Some 250 Pathfinders, staff, and parents from small towns and larger cities across RMC came together on May 21 for the annual conference-wide Pathfinder fair. The event was held at the Intermountain Adventist Academy campus in Grand Junction, Colorado, and was organized by Pathfinder coordinators Dwight Laubscher and Jodi Gage.
The day started with the Pathfinder clubs setting up booths in the gym displaying everything they had learned and accomplished throughout the year. These displays were scored by a team of Pathfinder leader judges.
The Pathfinders then marched the field perimeter, club by club, to the rhythm of drums pounding and cymbals crashing, skillfully played by several clubs. The clubs were collaborating under the direction of the RMC Pathfinder drill master Joel Domingez. Following the parade, clubs stood together and sang the Pathfinder song before a worship service led by RMC assistant youth director Jade Teal.
RMC youth director Brandon Westgate then presented Joel with the Pathfinder hall-of-fame plaques and pin recognizing him for his exceptional leadership and commitment to Pathfinder ministry within the RMC. The award presentation was followed by the club’s lively judged marching competition.
Cinthya Miranda, Northeastern Colorado Area adventurer coordinator, said, “[I] saw kids praying prior to participation. They weren’t asked to pray by an adult, it was done out of their own volition. These small, yet big gestures remind us why Pathfinder clubs are so important in a kid’s overall growth.”
At lunchtime, the participants could purchase food from clubs that were selling food as a fundraiser for their upcoming activities. The Pathfinders rotated through more than a dozen activity stations after lunch where they participated in a variety of team-building activities. They learned skills such as tying knots and played field games such as Capture the Flag.
After the activity stations, clubs returned to the gym where awards and accolades were handed to top-performing individuals and clubs before the participants packed up and returned to their respective communities.
One of the Pathfinders in attendance, Kaylon Miranda, commented, “This fair was amazing!”
Eli and Veronica Gonzalez, RMC club ministries associate executive coordinators, said, “We were so impressed by all who attended the Pathfinder fair. We believe the real way to gain happiness is to give it to others. This weekend you (Pathfinders) have shown a happy heart while participating and competing with each other.”
—Brent Learned is the RMC assistant youth director and Mills Spring Ranch manager. Photos supplied by Aaron Dove and Cinthya Miranda.