The first thing I noticed upon arriving at Upper Columbia Academy (Spangle, Wash.) was the Pathfinders. They were all over the place! Thirty-four clubs, 850 Pathfinders and staff, and 44 pastors convened for the Upper Columbia Conference's 2012 Pastors' Appreciation Pathfinder Fair the weekend of May 18–20. I was one of them.
After setting up camp, we attended the opening meeting, during which Karl Haffner spoke about God's call to people in the Bible and how He calls us too — a theme that continued throughout the weekend. Immediately after the sermon, we had a baptism.
Sabbath morning every Pathfinder was up bright and early. After inspection we all marched in the grand parade — what grand fun! After a morning sermon by Haffner, four young people were baptized, which made church really special. During the baptisms, 96 Pathfinders made the decision to be baptized by filling out a commitment card. Another Sabbath morning highlight was the Teen Pathfinder of the Year award ceremony, during which all teens who met certain high standards of participation in Pathfinders this year received a shoulder braid. I got my first-year braid; only one teen got the sixth-year (and last) year braid.
Afternoon door-to-door outreach gave us an opportunity to share Jesus with the community by taking short surveys for the local church and sharing literature.
Sunday morning activities included drilling and marching and a fantastic soapbox car game in which pastors drove Pathfinder-powered soapbox cars through a challenge course. The cars varied greatly and were exceptionally creative in both design and color.
After the awards ceremony, many tired Pathfinders piled back into vehicles for their rides home. You'll have to ask some other Pathfinders how that went for them. I'm not sure — you see, I was asleep in the back!
Pastors line up at attention during the 2012 Pathfinder Fair. (James Jeffery)
The Othello (Wash.) Club marches in the annual Pathfinder parade. (June Cross)
