Youth Leaders Finalize Major Details for Territory-wide Pathfinder Camporee

December 1, 2022 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Finalizing major details about Inter-America’s upcoming Pathfinder Camporee is what recently brought together youth ministries directors to Montego Bay, Jamaica. Thousands of young people are expected to set up camp at the 120-acre Trelawny multi-purpose facility Apr. 4-8, 2023, to meet, cheer, learn, impact and experience one of the biggest events in the life of a young Seventh-day Adventist.

The third logistics meeting saw leaders Nov. 19-20, 2022, from the 24 unions and dozens of local leaders go over pressing decisions to facilitate campground sites, finalize spiritual programs, sports events, honor classes, interactive activities, and more.

“With just a few months away, we were able to visualize the activities onsite, scrutinize details with our team as we prepare to receive our Pathfinders soon,” said Pastor Al Powell, youth ministries director for the church in Inter-America. “We have been working hard to make sure that this camporee will become a life transforming experience.”

Registration numbers are not official yet, but the numbers are close to 8,000, not counting travelers who have registered from outside of the Inter-American Division (IAD) territory. Figures were expected to be past 12,000, but many can’t make it because of difficulties with travel.

A few challenges

In the North Mexican Union, some 450 Pathfinders are registered to travel to the camporee but, much like the dozens in the Chiapas, Southeast and Interoceanic Mexican Unions, leaders are still trying to secure travel arrangements with their delegations. Pathfinders from El Salvador, Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela have hundreds registered but travel visas are proving to be difficult to obtain.

The Haitian Union, for example, wants to bring 260 Pathfinders to the camporee but because of demonstrations and political unrest, government offices have been closed indefinitely, church leaders said.

Panama’s delegation has been able to secure two charter planes to transport its 406 pathfinders and leaders into Montego Bay. The arrangement proved much more affordable than securing commercial flights for the large group, said Misael González. “We have so many young people back home excited to be part of this camporee here in Jamaica and our union has been happy to invest so that they don’t miss out on this great experience,” said González.

Ensuring that the experience is memorable will mean that food, shelter and scheduled activities run smoothly for five consecutive days, including dozens of working stoves, dozens of cooks, chaperones, volunteers, and church leaders teaming up to make it a successful event.

For many, the camporee will be the pivotal point for young people with their decisions, their aspirations, and objectives in life, said Powell. “We want to point them to put Jesus Christ first, being a missionary for Him.”

Focused on mission

Themed “Pathfinders in Mission,” the camporee 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.

Every event and activity planned will be intended to inspire Pathfinders to recognize their potential, purpose, and benefit in doing mission wherever they are, organizers said.

“This is an early stage in their life where pathfinders can focus on their life goals, embrace God’s mission, while recognizing the importance of their experience at the camporee,” said Powell.

During the two-day meetings, youth ministries leaders connected with liaison leaders and members who are working locally in Jamaica to coordinate the needs of each union’s delegation and assist in carrying out every detail of the busy five-day event.

Finalizing camping needs

Youth leaders were finalizing camping needs and volunteer needs with each of their Pathfinder delegations.

Joy Bailey of Montego Bay is working with mobilizing hundreds of local volunteers who will assist in first aid, sanitation, maintenance, programming, media, communication, programming, security, and hospitality, among others.  “There’s much to do,” said Bailey. But the idea is to work together with each union delegation who will bring their own team of volunteers to help guarantee success, she added.

Coordinating transportation, food, and pop-up tents logistics is under Carol Hunter of Kingston, Jamaica, and her team, and she’s been in communication with embassies in Jamaica, food distributers and campground food stations, accommodations, and coordinating with other teams.  “We are starting to coordinate more and more logistics here and look forward to facilitating all that we need to make this event a success here in Jamaica,” Hunter said.

Leaders finalized the list of sports, games, new honors, crafts, and activities that will engage thousands of young Pathfinder Club members expected to attend throughout the IAD. The camporee will also feature a bible bowl or bible connection event on the Book of Judges, drills, investitures, spiritual counseling for those wanting to get baptized, community impact, pin-trading, and opportunities to learn about different cultures and languages to become better witnesses for Jesus, organizers said.

“The camporee is where many young people will make decisions to be leaders, preachers, teachers, you name it and we want to help them dedicate their lives to service,” Powell said.

To find out the lineup of keynote speakers, activities, and daily program, visit camporee.interamerica.org