Nearly 114 young people made requests to be baptized while attending the Upper Columbia Conference Pathfinder Camporee this year. The camporee, held at Farragut State Park near Athol, Idaho, was attended by more than 766 pathfinders from clubs across the conference and even a club from Canada.
"We have been averaging around 60 to 70 requests for baptism at camporees and fairs in the last few years," says Wayne Hicks, UCC Pathfinder director, "so we were surprised to see such a high number of baptismal requests. Even two pathfinders from the Canadian club, True North, made requests for baptism."
Camporees create a fun and exciting event for Pathfinder clubs to attend, but they are also designed to be highly spiritual events. Sleeping in a tent, cooking over the fire, playing outdoors and learning about nature, are all part of the fun that connects a series of spiritual talks centered on knowing Jesus Christ.
The theme of the three-day event was, "This is My Fathers World." The keynote speaker, Ken Rogers, pastor and Walla Walla University vice president for student life and mission, told a number of stories over the weekend that taught how Jesus would relate to people if he were in the world today.
Rogers played the part of Mordecai in the Esther play at the 2009 worldwide pathfinder camporee in Oshkosh, Wisc. "I really appreciated the rapport Pastor Ken had with kids and the spiritual applications he made with his stories," says Lisa Malakowsky of the Pend Orielle Valley Pathfinder Club. "And we also appreciated the effort that was taken to create meaningful Sabbath afternoon activities."
Farragut State Park offers a number of great activities for Pathfinders, with 40 miles of forested trails, a beautiful lake-front, and The Brig Museum. Additionally, Pathfinders enjoyed presentations by several wildlife experts as well. Kelly Greene, a wildcat expert from Athol, Idaho, gave presentations about his captive bobcat and lynx. And several Washington State University (WSU) students from the WSU Raptor and Rehabilitation program made presentations that included live birds of prey like a barn owl, red tailed hawk and an American kestrel.
"Very few people get to see these kinds of animals up close and personal," says Hicks. "So we are very thankful that these people were willing to come and make their presentations."
These are just a few of the activities that make the camporee memorable for youth. "We really enjoyed the huckleberry ice cream treat on Sunday," says Cindy Johnson of the Othello Outreachers Cub. "It wasn't just the ice cream, it was the opportunity to socialize with other clubs that made it extra special."
Camporee program planners also included a special tribute to Merrill and Joyce Brown who have a combined total of 93 years of Pathfindering. A special prayer of thanks and gift was given to Carolyn Bullock, a long-time Pathfinder staffer who came to the Camporee despite the debilitating stroke she suffered last year. Two teen Pathfinders, Kelsey Bitton of Deer Park and Trina Whorley of Spokane Lynnwood, were baptized on Sabbath during the worship service. And Chief Raincloud brought us a 99.99 percent precipitation-free weekend.
"I wouldn't have changed a thing about the weekend," says Dottie Gleed of the Othello Outreachers Club. "I'm just glad Our Savior was included in the whole thing."
Tim Greenlaw and Handpicked Jr. led out in the music for the camporee. The members of the group are college students in Greenlaw's Sabbath School class.
Tim Greenlaw and Handpicked Jr. led out in the music for the camporee. The members of the group are college students in Greenlaw's Sabbath School class.
Hundreds of Pathfinders went forward during Pastor Ken Rogers Sabbath sermon to commit or recommit their lives to Jesus Chris. Over 114 Pathfinders requested to begin Bible studies in preparation for baptism.
Pastor Ken Rogers spoke at the 2011 Pathfinder Camporee and challenged kids with following Jesus no matter what it takes.
Thomas Warren of the Wheatland Coyote's Pathfinder Club, shows off the eggs he duct taped under his arms for his part in the Da-Duck-Duct-Tape relay race. The silly Sunday morning activity turned out to be one of the favorites of the weekend many clubs reported.
Lewis-Clark Pathfinder Club members prepare to raise the pathfinder flag during the opening ceremonies of Sabbath morning worship.
Wayne Hicks, UCC Pathfinder director baptizes Kelsey Bitton of the Deer Park Pathfinder Club. She and Trina Whorely, of the Spokane Lynnwood club, were both baptized at the camporee on Sabbath morning.
Wayne Hicks, UCC Pathfinder Director and Allan Williams, Bible Worker, share in baptizing Trina Whorely of the Spokane Lynnwood club. Trina and Kelsey Bitton of the Deer Park club were both baptized at the camporee on Sabbath morning.
