Thousands Set Up Camp in Santo Domingo for Inter-America’s Territory-Wide Pathfinder Camporee

Pathfinders from North Mexico pose for a picture with a welcome committee from the Dominican Republic at Santo Domingo’s Las Americas International Airport on Apr. 9, 2017. Image by Daniel Gallardo/IAD

April 10, 2017 | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | Libna Stevens/IAD

Campers drag their luggage to their campsite. Image by Daniel Gallardo/IAD

Thousands of Seventh-day Adventist young campers and their leaders began setting up camp and rolling out their sleeping bags in anticipation for Inter-America’s Pathfinder Camporee set to begin in less than 24 hours at Mirador del Este Park, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The five-day event is expected to gather nearly 13,000 campers from April 11-15, 2017, from dozens of countries and islands across 24 major church regions to meet new friends, learn new skills, and be inspired to live a life transformed in Jesus, organizers said.

Themed “Lineage of Champions,” the camporee will focus on the life of the biblical Ruth to help young people to reaffirm their identity, strengthen their leadership skills and commit to become effective disciples.

Months of preparation has led to the exciting time for pathfinders to not only be pathfinders, said Louise Nocandy, associate youth ministries director and main organizer of the camporee, but “an opportunity for each pathfinder to become a leader for Christ, committed to being involved in the mission of sharing the good news of salvation,” said Nocandy.

Tents are being all set up at Mirador del Este Park in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Image by Daniel Gallardo/IAD

A staff of more than 300 security personnel and trained volunteers have already started working in shifts every 24 hours to be on guard and be available for any emergencies or issues. In addition, 200 military and police forces will provide additional security around the natural fenced-in park with a four-square kilometers in size.

Among the largest delegation of 700 on the campgrounds was 11-year-old Amelia Fletcher from the Caribbean Union. She was excited to just take in such a grand event for the first time. With her first airplane ride under her belt on her birthday yesterday, she has learned to set up her tent, meet new friends and enjoy the playgrounds in the park.

“I’m just so excited to trade my coins for pins,” said Amelia, who just started pathfinders months ago. She is among two pathfinders who were chosen by her church in the Arena District in Trinidad.

Eleven-year-old Amelia Fletcher of Trinidad is the youngest of 700 delegates from the Caribbean Union. Image by Daniel Gallardo/IAD

She loves to sing in church, play her recorder and read bible texts at church. Amelia is eager to earn new honors and understand more about how Ruth was able to move away from family to go to a new town and make a new life.

Making a new life in Jesus is what many pathfinders will decide this week as dozens will get baptized every day.
“We want our pathfinders to understand their purpose, experience a transformation in Jesus and return home with a vision of inspiring others in their club to be transformed and ready for His Second Coming,” Nocandy said.

The camporee will see musical and drama performances on the life and travels of Ruth, a bible bowl, sports and recreational activities, honor classes, exhibit stands, community service activities, and much more.

To view the opening of Inter-America’s Pathfinder Camporee on Apr. 11, tune into webcast.interamerica.org at 6:30p.m. (Miami Time)

To view a photo gallery of the week’s event, click HERE