Inter-America’s Pathfinder Camporee Set for April 2023; Focused on Mission
July 7, 2022 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News
In less than 10 months, the Inter-American Division (IAD) will hold its territory-wide Pathfinder Camporee in Trelawny, near Montego Bay, Jamaica, Apr. 4-8, 2023. The long-awaited event has Seventh-day Adventist leaders moving fast to make way for more than 11,000 pathfinder delegates and youth leaders for the five-day gathering.
The camporee had been voted before the pandemic hit in 2020 and many plans had been put on pause, but after evaluating the availability and loosening of restrictions, the decision was made to move ahead with the year originally designated for, said Pastor Al Powell, youth ministries director for the church.
“It took some time to try to get a feasible location for everyone in Inter-America,” said Powell. “We studied about five different proposals and after carefully study, the Division voted to hold it in Jamaica.” Jamaica becomes the first English-speaking territory where a Division Pathfinder camporee has ever been held.
“We are very excited and our English fields are very excited for this historic event,” said Powell. “Church leaders in Jamaica have already appointed 24 coordinators to assist each of the IAD unions as they make plans to travel to Jamaica for the event.” There’s a lot of excitement on the part of so many pathfinders across the territory, he said. “They feel the IAD pathfinder camporee is long overdue.”
Pathfinders wishing to register for Inter-America’s 5th Pathfinder Camporee, can reserve a spot with their Union for a PIN code before registering at camp.interamerica.org.[Photo: IAD Screenshot]
Themed “Pathfinders in Mission,” the camporee will be held at Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium near Montego Bay, and will draw spiritual lessons from Gideon and his call, from the Book of Judges, to motivate pathfinders and their leaders to grow in the faith of Christ and the fulfillment of His mission.
“Gideon was a young person handpicked by God for a special mission and while he doubted his mission, he sought God’s guidance through a test. It’s important that young people understand they have been selected by God to be part of His mission, to experience faith and trust in Him to lead lives to share the gospel and serve in their communities,” said Powell.
Union youth ministry leaders are already locking in their number of delegates for the camporee, said Powell. Panama has reserved charter flights for their 406 pathfinders and leaders, and the Caribbean Union is planning to take 1,000 pathfinders from throughout their islands, he said. Other unions are analyzing numbers and costs for their delegations. In addition, persons from North America are looking forward to taking part in the camporee event.
Pastor Elie Henry, president of the Inter-American Division, recently assured union administrators to not be anxious about the travel costs to Jamaica. “The Division will work with each president to see how it can assist young people hoping to be part of this event.”
To find out more details about Inter-America’s 5th Pathfinder Camporee, visit camp.interamerica.org
In order to register properly, individuals must receive an attendee PIN code from their respective Union office before registering at camp.interamerica.org