By Sue Nelson – Ward, Colorado … Nearly 200 Pathfinders and staff attended the 2022 Pathfinder Camporee held at Glacier View Ranch August 4-7. The theme was “Through the Storm” and the stage was decorated with a boat “in the storm.” Each club campsite was graded on how well their campsite demonstrated the theme in their unique entrance, cooking area, campsite, uniforms, and having their flags in order. The top campsites received medals.

“It was incredible to see the commitment and dedication of our Pathfinder clubs. They demonstrated kindness and graciousness towards one another as they engaged in a variety of activities. I am super impressed by our leadership staff and am grateful that I had the opportunity to mix it up with our Pathfinders,” said Brandon Westgate, RMC youth director. The speaker for the event, he brought thought-provoking messages to the kids at vespers and during the church service.

Clemente Lopez, Jr. from the Aurora Las Aguilas club and RMC senior teen rep, encouraged involvement in the Pathfinder Bible Experience study. Jodie Gage, Pathfinder co-coordinator commented: “I am so proud of our teen rep and the awesome job he did giving Sabbath school this morning.”

Praise music was led by different RMC teen representatives–Carter Smith (Grand Valley Prospectors), Yamiley Gonzalez (Aurora Las Aguilas) and Hannah Lechleitner (Louisville Miners). Contributing to special music were three Pathfinders–Travis Plack (Longmont Thunder), Isabel Doffing and Abby Shull (Golden Mighty Warriors of the Cross).

Friday morning activities included crafts and honors, such as tug-o-war, march & drill, wind chimes, star study, table tennis, soccer, and shelter building. In the afternoon during the Camporee, each club participated in lashing a raft meant to float their director on the lake! The rain didn’t affect that activity, as most directors either sank to the bottom of the lake (waist deep) or got wet anyway! Medals were awarded for “floatability” and “creativity.” Jodie Gage commented, that “even though it rained, I enjoyed how excited the Pathfinders and staff were building rafts and trying to float them.”

The Orienteering courses (easy, medium, and hard) involved the Pathfinders on Sabbath afternoon and sent the Pathfinders on Orienteering courses led by Dwight Laubscher, Pathfinder co-coordinator.

During Saturday night’s “Afterglow,” the teens, led by teen coordinators Roberto and Adriana Mira, enjoyed playing loud games in the teen tent and Capture the Flag outdoors in the dark, using glow sticks around their necks or on their wrists/ankles.

For morning and evening flag raising and lowering, the clubs were given an opportunity to put together a “color guard” of six Pathfinders. Practicing ahead of time, they learned about the steps in folding a flag and raising it properly.

–Sue Nelson is Club Ministries executive coordinator. Photos supplied.