Sue Nelson – Ward, Colorado … Nearly 300 Pathfinders and staff members attended the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Pathfinder Camporee, August 3-6. This year’s gathering was held at Glacier View Ranch (GVR) in Ward, Colorado, in the Pathfinder Village, and the theme was “Be the Difference.”

The Camporee focused on teaching the “Wilderness Living” honor by having stations for each part of the honor. Pathfinders learned what to do if lost in the wilderness, determining directions without a compass, how to purify and collect drinking water in the wild; identify animal tracks, run a compass course, learn first aid and knots, how to identify wild edible plants, and more.

Pastor Michael Taylor from the Casper Adventist Church in Casper, Wyoming, inspired the Pathfinders during Vespers and church service. Russell Palmer, from the Littleton Adventist Church, and teen representatives presented praise music and personal testimony.

Jodie Gage, RMC co-Pathfinder coordinator, commented, “The kids saw firsthand how God held back the storms and broke them up so we would enjoy the weekend and learn how to be the difference.” There was a lot of rain before and after the Camporee, but beautiful weather during. This was the first year in many that the clubs were able to have campfires at their campsites, providing warmth and s’mores. And too bad if any food was left out overnight—the resident black bear showed up at several campsites!”

Dwight Laubscher, RMC co-Pathfinder coordinator, said, “It was a wonderful Camporee with the kids enjoying God’s first book: nature. They learned new skills in wilderness living and tried new experiences like eating edible wild plants. But, most importantly, speaker Pastor Taylor pointed them to Jesus and challenged them to ‘Be the Difference’ back in their homes and communities.”

A special ceremony was conducted between Sabbath school and church service with the investiture of Chase Rodriguez, from the Loveland Cougars Pathfinder Club, to Master Guide. Rodriguez completed the master guide requirements and has also done Voice of Prophecy and classes at Southern Adventist University. He worked as a staff wrangler for GVR this past summer and has shown great leadership skills and inspiration. RMC youth director Brandon Westgate had a closing prayer while all the master guides who were present came up and surrounded Rodriguez with love and support as he moves forward in leadership.

Around 80 teens enjoyed special activities in the “Teen Tent” each night after the day’s programming. Veronica Gonzalez, RMC associate executive coordinator, remarked, “There’s nothing more wonderful than to see our Pathfinders come together at camporee to worship our amazing God. They don’t have to worry about being labeled or pointed at. They come to the camporee, ready to learn more about God’s love for them, to laugh, and to serve.”

“It was a blessing working together with an amazing team of Pathfinder leaders who worked hard planning and running Camporee. Pathfinders from across RMC were connecting and growing in freedom and newness of life through Christ because of each leader’s dedication to pathfinder ministry and investing in young people,” commented Brent Learned, RMC assistant youth director.

—Sue Nelson is executive coordinator for RMC club ministries. Photos supplied.