For five days in August, 46,000 Pathfinders from around the world converged on the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture Campgrounds in OshKosh, Wisconsin. Clubs traveled by plane, train and bus, and some even came by bicycle, for the 2014 Forever Faithful International Camporee.
The week started with rain, and many clubs had to deal with mud and water in their tents. However sun came back the next day, and the rain held off for the rest of the event.
Each day, campers spent their time working on honors, participating in activities and helping in community service projects. Honors classes were offered in everything from cooking with a dutch oven and early Adventist history to juggling and the life of Jesus.
The evening programs where a highlight. The camporee’s theme was “Forever Faithful,” and each evening focused on telling a portion of Daniel’s story through theatrical performances and spiritual messages from Sam Lenore, camporee keynote speaker and chaplain for La Sierra University in Riverside, California.
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Sara Mann of Port Townsend, Washington, holds the corner of the flag leading Wednesday's Pathfinder parade. Credit: Brent HardingeThe North Pacific Union Pathfinders begin marching down the parade route at the International Pathfinder camporee. Credit: Brent HardingeReady for breakfast, Ben Smith, of the Seattle, Washington, Panthers Pathfinders, digs into his bag for a breakfast plate. Credit: Brent HardingeThe Fort Vancouver (Washington) Pathfinders enjoy breakfast on Sabbath morning. Credit: Brent HardingeMost of the 46,000 people registered were in attendance for the Sabbath morning service at the camporee. Credit: Brent HardingeSuzanne MacLachlan, Meadow Glade Pathfinders director in Battle Ground, Washington, is invested as a master guide by Bruce Watson during Sabbath's Investiture service. During Sabbath morning's service, many other Pathfinder's who had completed the requirements were invested as Master Guides. Credit: Brent HardingeAlphonso McCarthy, North Pacific Union Conference Pathfinder director, explains the meaning and purpose of communion to Pathfinders working on the Life of Jesus honor developed by the Idaho Conference. Credit: Brent HardingeEach union, conference and many clubs create pins representing their area. The pins are given to members in the area who then use them to trade for pins from around the world. Here Meadow Glade club members were already trading pins just hours after arriving. Credit: Brent HardingeOn a wet morning in camp, the Grants Pass, Oregon, Pathfinders make their lunches for their first day at the camporee. Credit: Brent HardingeMembers of the Chehalis (Washington) Mountaineers prepare to tour the Experimental Aircraft Association Museum, located across the street from the camporee campground. Credit: Brent HardingeWind blows the flags at the Oshkosh International Pathfinder Camporee just before they are lowered. Credit: Brent HardingeUpper Columbia Conference Pathfinders catch the Adventist Youth flag as it is lowered at the International Pathfinder Camporee. Credit: Brent HardingeNorth Pacific Union Pathfinders fold the United States flag. Credit: Brent HardingePathfinders from the Riverside Church in Washougal, Washington, prepare to march with other Pathfinders from the North Pacific Union, in the Pathfinder parade. Each day Pathfinders from different unions participated in the parades. Credit: Brent HardingeThe flags are flying high as the Alaska Conference Pathfinders from clubs in Anchorage, Juno and Tok prepare for the parade. Credit: Brent HardingeThe American flag is carried by Pathfinders from around the country for Wednesday's parade. Credit: Brent HardingeMia Apt, a Cascade Eagle Pathfinder from North Cascade Church in Burlington, Washington, gets some breakfast before a big day at the camporee. Credit: Brent HardingeArriauna Anderson, Desiree Fisher and Martessa Davis, Pathfinders from Washougal, Washington, get autographs from Elliot, the mascot for Mount Ellis Academy in Bozeman, Montana. Credit: Brent HardingeEach night, kids ran through the crowd before the evening program waving flags from their countries of origin. Credit: Brent HardingeStudents from the Salem (Oregon) Spanish Pathfinders relax near their flags after setting up camp. Credit: Brent HardingeRachel Herrera (left), of the Galena Park, Texas, Agape Pathfinders, approaches the top of the Adventist World Radio climbing wall, with Elijah Brown, a Camden, New Jersey, Ashanti Pathfinder, close behind. Credit: Brent HardingeVisitors line up to try "caving" inside an Oregon Conference moving truck. The caving activity was one of many set up throughout the camporee for Pathfinders of different ages to try. Credit: Brent HardingeSeveral Pathfinders from the North Pacific Union chose to be baptized during the camporee. Credit: Brent HardingeJoseph Urbin, Spokane (Washington) Southern Lights Pathfinder, is baptized by Paul Blake, Spokane South Hill pastor. Credit: Brent HardingeA Pathfinder from the North Pacific Union is baptized. Credit: Brent HardingeThe drill team from Facing the Giants, the Renton (Washington) Spanish Church's Pathfinder Club, shows off their marching skills during the Drill Team competition. Clubs from around North America were given time to compete each day showing their marching skills. Credit: Brent HardingePathfinders from around the world stand hand-in-hand during a song service at the Idaho Conference. The conference sponsored a new "Life of Jesus" honor and this song service was part of a final agape feast and communion service closing the week. Credit: Brent HardingeA helicopter seems to meet a BMX stunt rider midair as the rider flies above his ramp. Credit: Terrence BowenSleepy campers line up to use the campground shower facilities. Credit: Enno MüllerActors portraying Daniel, second from right, and his three friends, during a scene from the Forever Faithful drama that told the story of Daniel's faithfulness to God through the many trails he faced. The drama was part of the main nightly program, with each evening focusing on a different aspect of the story. Credit: James Bokovoy PhotographyKing Nebuchadnezzer's fire-breathing entertainers provide a flaming show for the Pathfinders. Credit: James Bokovoy PhotographyFireworks explode into the evening sky at the camporee main stage on opening night. Credit: James Bokovoy PhotographyChristian comedian and ventriloquist Ryan Bomgardner hangs out backstage with Chico the Lion before the evening program. Credit: James Bokovoy PhotographyKing Nebuchadnezzar, played by Brian Robak, speaks to his advisors in a scene from the Forever Faithful drama. Credit: James Bokovoy PhotographyActors portray the story of Daniel in the Lions during the opening of the camporee. Credit: James Bokovoy PhotographyTens of thousands of Pathfinders attending the 2014 Forever Faithful International Camporee meet for the evening program. Credit: Dan WeberBrian Robak portrays King Nebuchadnezzar in the Forever Faithful drama production. Credit: James Bokovoy PhotographyForence Namata and Rosa Baz from God's Northern Lights in Tacoma, Washington, put their thumbprints on the territory of the Middle East and North Africa Union. Credit: Brent HardingeRecently baptized Pathfinders release balloons during the Sabbath service at the Forever Faithful International Pathfinder Camporee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. More than 600 kids made decisions for Christ and choose to be baptized during the five-day camporee. Credit: Rich HerardAbe Ellis, of Cle Elum, Washington, is ready to be baptized by Wayne Hicks, Upper Columbia Conference Pathfinder director at the 2014 Forever Faithful International Pathfinder Camporee. Credit: Rich Herard
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Many attendees felt Lenore's talks were a highlight of each day. “It’s short, but it’s right to the point. It’s deep,” said Irma Tabarez, 16, from the Hermiston Spanish Church in Oregon.
Before the evening programs, four large swimming pools were opened for baptisms, with 35 Northwest Pathfinders making that public vow. In all more than 600 attendees from around the world chose to be baptized.
