Pathfinders Wow the Crowd in Drill Competition Event

April 7, 2023 | Trelawny, Jamaica | Royston Philbert and Inter-American Division News.

As the sun blazed overhead at the Trelawny Multipurpose Stadium in Jamaica, dozens of Pathfinders took part in drilling and marching competitions this week at Inter-America’s territory-wide Pathfinder Camporee. Roland Jones and the Guyana Conference Pathfinders’ squad was among a group of uniformed squads who were seeking bragging rights on Apr. 6, 2023.

Jones is the oldest member of the Guyana team hailing from the Caribbean Union. “I have been drilling all my life,” he said. “I left the church, but now I am back,” he mused, “and it’s an honor to be on the team.”

Meanwhile, the Ramana Pathfinder Club from French Guiana featured eleven-year-old Djanis Corvo who attends the Seventh-day Adventist School in his territory. He and the 12 members of his team led by Director Chrystora Larive thrilled spectators with their precision. They were applauded for their efforts and for incorporating what looked like fancy steps into their basic routine.

The Doulos Pathfinder Club from Montemorelos, in northern Mexico, featured creative steps that kept the audience watching quietly. “That’s what it’s all about,” said Mario Jackson, Chief Judge from the Jamaica Union. “We are looking for teamwork, dress, organization and precision in all the movements.”

Three judges along with Jackson scored the teams representing seven unions on dress, precision and coordination as each unit tried to outdo each other with the Fancy Drill, a free-styling combination of four drill routines including the Backward March, Winds, Halves to the Rear March, Counter Form, Squads Halt, cadences at close intervals and other double and quick time sequences, among others.

The event was won by The Doulos Pathfinder Club. The Puerto Rican Union and the French Antilles-Guiana Union came in second and third respectively.

Many Pathfinders focus on drill activities as a skill, while others concentrate on completing honors requirements.  But “consistent with Adventist young people is a passion for drilling with marching bands,” said Jackson. The drills help develop teamwork and comradery too, he said.

Drill parades also offer an opportunity to introduce Christ to onlookers, added Mario.  “I’ve never been out with a drill team where people haven’t asked, ‘What’s this?’ That provides the perfect opening.”

Other sporting activities took place during the week, engaging young people from all ages, organizers said. Union teams also participated in athletics, soccer games and sports competitions including a water challenge won by a Caribbean Union team, a first aid challenge won by the Puerto Rican Union and track and trail won by the Haitian Union. The French Antilles Guiana Union team received gold medal in the obstacle course challenge.

To view a daily photo gallery of Inter-America’s 5^th Pathfinder Camporee, click HERE

For more stories on the Pathfinder camporee held this week in Trelawny, Jamaica, visit us at interamerica.org