RMCNews – Ward, Colorado … More than 90 Pathfinder club members and teens, along with over 80 staff and adult leaders representing over 12 clubs, gathered at Glacier View Ranch in Ward, Colorado, July 30–August 2, for the 2026 Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Pathfinder Camporee. Centered on the theme “Follow Jesus,” the weekend built on last year’s theme, “Know Jesus,” encouraging young people to move from just knowing Christ to actively following Him.
The camporee provided a mix of worship, activities, inspections, and evening programs designed to strengthen connections, build practical skills, and develop leadership. Featured speaker Pastor Ben Orian, lead pastor of Atholton Seventh-day Adventist Church in Columbia, Maryland, inspired attendees throughout the weekend.
For Ruby, a teen leader with the Casper Pathfinder Club, the Pathfinder Club Ministry has been more than an activity: “I really like the culture. It’s obvious that the goal is to learn more about Jesus and get to know Jesus. Sometimes it’s not as evident because of where different people are on their own journeys, but I’m glad to be able to see growth in certain areas now as a leader.”
Friday’s activities were a highlight for many attendees, offering opportunities to try archery, axe and tomahawk throwing, disc golf, mountain biking, rock climbing, and more. Beyond the excitement, these activities gave Pathfinder cub members opportunities to practice teamwork, perseverance, responsibility, and skills they can carry with them beyond the camporee.
“[Being a Pathfinder], I get to learn more and more about God and how to follow him,” commented Sharmilla, Aurora First Pathfinder Club member. “My favorite thing about Camporee is probably the activities. You are not just reading the Bible, but you also get to experience stuff.”
Sabbath brought a special focus to faith and service. Following worship, Pathfinder teams made encouragement cards to be distributed to others, learned how to create a devotional, participated in a Scripture walk, and took part in other activities designed to connect practical ministry with their growing relationship with Jesus.
David Hopkins, RMC Pathfinder coordinator led an activity on how to create a devotional. “This year theme is Follow Jesus and to follow Jesus on a consistent lifetime basis. We chose this honor of Adventure for Christ, which is a 6-to-12-month long honor. One of the requirements of that is sharing a devotional every week for the duration of the honor. Most people don’t know how to create a devotional, and so that’s what we’re spending time here today learning how to do this. These are skills for tomorrow, not just for the moment.”
Throughout the weekend, the camporee offered a reminder of what makes Pathfinders special: young people learning, leading, serving, worshiping, and simply enjoying time together in community. As they continue to know Jesus and follow Jesus, Pathfinders are developing skills and relationships that can help shape their faith for years to come.
“Seeing our RMC pathfinders connecting with each other and joyfully participating in the activities, worships, and time in nature during camporee was a blessing you had to have experienced to fully appreciate,” remarked Brent Learned, RMC Club Ministries Director.
—Interviews conducted by Liz Kirkland, RMC Communication director. Initial article draft curated by ChatGPT based on interviews with additions, revisions, and editing by Liz Kirkland. Photos from video screen captures by Ulises Velasquez and by Liz Kirkland.
