In Inter-America, Organizers ramp up planning for next year’s territory-wide Pathfinder Camporee

Louise Nocandy, associate youth ministries director for Inter-America says next year’s territory-wide Pathfinder Camporee is expected to gather close to 20,000 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Image by Libna Stevens/IAD

July 7, 2016 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens/IAD

Thousands of Seventh-day Adventists are expected to attend Inter-America’s territory-wide Pathfinder Camporee in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, next year. In preparation for the event, youth ministries leaders met last week to go over logistics, set their attendance numbers, plan the program and schedule activities that will seek to inspire the youth, ages 10-15, to be lifelong champions in service for Jesus.

The six-day event is expected to gather 20,000 young campers and their leaders from thousands of Pathfinder Clubs across the Inter-American Division’s (IAD) 24 major church regions. The fourth such event held in the IAD, is scheduled to be held at the Mirador del Este Park, April 11-16, 2017.

Image by IAD

The Pathfinder Camporee will be a great opportunity to strengthen young people as they meet their peers in other countries and islands from the IAD, involve them in community outreach in Santo Domingo, and form them into leaders in love with Jesus more every day, said Louise Nocandy, associate youth ministries director and main organizer of the camporee.

“Every five years, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is available to our young pathfinders so they can live what they have experienced in their local church, get a chance to socialize with others, and better understand the purpose of the club and its vision to disciple them to become effective church leaders,” said Nocandy.

The camporee’s theme will focus on the life and experience of Ruth and will seek to aid Pathfinders in understanding their lineage of champion and a transformation in Jesus, adds Nocandy.

So far nearly 15,000 pathfinders from across the IAD territory have enlisted with their Pathfinder Clubs, says Nocandy. Online registration will be open at camporee.interamerica.org next week.

Campers will get to visit dozens of exhibits, participate in athletic activities, marches, a Bible bowl, investitures, sign up for musical performances and more.

For more information on the IAD’s IV Pathfinder Camporee and how to register, visit the event’s page at camporee.interamerica.org