In Jamaica, Government Leader Commits to Assist IAD Camporee Logistics

March 1, 2023 | Trelawny, Jamaica | Nigel Coke and Inter-American Division News

With just over a month to go before the 5^th Inter-American Division (IAD) Pathfinders Camporee, a team of IAD leaders met recently at Trelawny Multipurpose Stadium, the venue for the camporee, to fine tune details. The camporee will take place April 4-8, 2023.

The Honorable Olivia “Babsy” Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, along with a team of technocrats from her office, the Mayor of Falmouth, in whose municipality the event will take place, and other stakeholders and service providers, were also part of the meeting.

In her remarks, Minister Grange expressed her happiness to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event.

“I am so honored and happy to be assisting the Seventh-day Adventist movement in its camporee,” said Grange.  “It’s an excellent program that will involve hundreds of young people from the region and it can be a life changing experience for them.”

Trelawny Multipurpose Stadium facility is a perfect home for such an event, she added. “I am committed to working along with the local organizers and those who are from overseas to make sure that everything is in place and it’s a successful camporee.”

Pastor Balvin Braham, vice president of the IAD, thanked government leaders for their willingness to assist in the preparations. “We need all the possible assistance to make this an unforgettable experience for the youth and adults of this region and beyond who will be in attendance.”

The assistance to achieve lower prices for the procurement of materials, goods and services is very appreciated, he added.

Organizers are advocating for partnerships with corporate sponsors, as well as the input of the Jamaica Tourist Board, as the thousands of Adventists expected from across 50 countries is poised to generate tourism dollars for Jamaica beyond the camporee.

Pastor Dane Fletcher, youth ministries director for the church in Jamaica, welcomed the government’s contribution in light of the benefits of impacting youth development in the Caribbean.

“We welcome the support of the Honorable Minister Grange, and all stakeholders as we continue to prepare for the Camporee,” said Fletcher. “Pathfindering remains a well-established uniformed group in Jamaica, which is recognized by the government as an impactful youth developmental experience. We are using this treasured experience of hosting the Pathfinder Camporee to strengthen the Pathfinder Ministry in Jamaica, and highlight the positive impact of Pathfindering on youth.”

“It is a joy for the Inter-American Division to partner with the Government of Jamaica through the Jamaica Union,” said Al Powell, youth ministries director for the IAD. “The level of support has been a phenomenal experience. I believe that such support from a government is historical, and such a partnership with the intent to impact the community, the Pathfinders and youth of Jamaica, and the over 8,000 delegates is now more clearly visible.

Also welcoming the support of the government is Pastor Everett Brown, president of the Jamaica Union, who thanked the minister for her invaluable assistance in introducing the church to a wide range of government and non-governmental agencies to assist in the planning and preparation of the camporee.

To find out more about Inter-American Division’s Pathfinder Camporee, visit camporee.interamerica.org