From Sept. 10–13, 2026, three Idaho Conference Pathfinder clubs and five Montana Conference Pathfinder clubs came together for a joint camporee with 164 campers at Steel Creek Group Campground. The weekend was a collaborative effort between the two conferences and offered Pathfinders an opportunity to experience something a little different: camping and worshiping alongside Pathfinders from beyond their own conference.
Making the joint camporee happen required changing the original date. Unfortunately, the new date created scheduling conflicts for some Idaho Conference clubs that had planned to attend, leaving only three Idaho clubs able to participate.
Cherié Wilson, Idaho Conference club ministries director, shared that the goal went beyond simply bringing two conferences to the same campground. It was an opportunity for Pathfinders to deepen their faith, build new friendships and enjoy God’s creation together.
There was plenty of creation to enjoy. The weekend officially began Thursday evening with opening worship. For three Idaho Conference clubs, getting to the campground meant approximately five hours on the road from the Boise area. Yet even after the long drive, setting up tents and settling into camp, there was still plenty of energy as Pathfinders reconnected with old friends and began making new ones from Montana.
Barry Curtis, Kuna Church pastor and Idaho Conference ministerial director, served as the featured speaker for the weekend. Through various experiences and stories from his own life, including growing up as the only boy in his classroom, Curtis explored a reality everyone encounters sooner or later: Life is not always fair.
However, that wasn’t where the message ended. Throughout the weekend, Curtis continued pointing the Pathfinders back to Jesus. Life may not always be fair, circumstances may not always make sense and things may not always turn out the way we expect, but ultimately, Jesus is fair. Drawing from John 15, he challenged Pathfinders to abide in Christ and remain connected to Him through whatever life brings.
Friday gave everyone a chance to get their hands busy. Pathfinders chose two of four specialized honors, including a pilot program for a new Rock Painting honor, the newly introduced Hammock Camping honor, the Orienteering honor and the National Parks honor. It was classic Pathfinder learning: not simply sitting and hearing about something but getting outside and doing it.
Then came Sabbath and one of the unique opportunities of holding a camporee so close to Yellowstone National Park. Many campers made the trip into Yellowstone, experiencing Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, wildlife, geysers and the remarkable landscape of the park. The excursion allowed everyone who participated to wrap up their National Parks honor while also getting started on the Geysers honor. There probably aren’t many better classrooms for learning about geysers than standing in Yellowstone and watching one erupt in front of you.
Those who remained at the campground had their own full Sabbath experience, enjoying the nature and working on additional honors.
As the Sabbath came to a close, the quiet campground didn't stay quiet for long. Flashlights came out for a large game of capture the flag across the sloped terrain. Pathfinders ran through the darkness, dodging tags and searching for the opposing team’s flag. It was simple, energetic and exactly the kind of memory that gets talked about long after a camporee is over.
By Sunday morning, it was almost time to pack the tents, load the vehicles and begin the long trips home.
First, everyone gathered one more time. Pathfinders from Idaho and Montana joined their voices together to sing “Abide,” the song that had helped carry the spiritual theme throughout the weekend.
In four days, eight clubs had worshipped together, learned new skills, explored Yellowstone, laughed, played and formed friendships across conference lines. They were heading back to different churches, communities and states, but they left the campground with the same invitation from Jesus found in John 15: stay connected to Him.
And as the weekend came to an end, the final words they sang together seemed to say it best: “Draw me close and teach me to abide.”
