To share stories from the 2024 International Pathfinder Camporee in an efficient and interesting way, the Southern Tidings hosted “The Gillette Breakfast Club,” a series of eight live-stream shows broadcast from Gillette, Wyoming, on YouTube.
The show featured Camporee personnel, like the main speaker, and figures from the Southern Union. In addition to guest interviews, the show included segments like daily reviews, Pathfinder interviews, and news stories.
“I really enjoy talking to all the different clubs and gathering content for the shows. I hope the audience will be inspired by the stories like I was,” said Paola Mora Zepeda, The Gillette Breakfast Club co-host and Kentucky-Tennessee Conference communication director.
This was the first time the Southern Tidings hosted a live-stream show at a Camporee. The idea for the show originated in August 2023, during a discussion between Bryant Taylor, D.Min., Southern Union communication director; Roger Wade, The Gillette Breakfast Club co-host and South Central Conference communication director; and Kirk Nugent, The Gillette Breakfast Club producer and Oakwood University Church media pastor. They envisioned a show that would bring the excitement and spiritual experience of Camporee to a wider audience.
“I’m excited about the use of live-streaming .… This is just another way that the Southern Union is trying to connect and engage with their constituency,” said Nugent.
The initiative was driven by the desire to connect those unable to attend the Camporee in person with some of the experiences and stories taking place at the event.
“The hope for the live-stream is to encourage those who didn’t come to say, ‘Hey, I want to be a part of that ministry,’” said Wade. “With the live-stream, we have the opportunity to show [experiences] while they are happening.”
To prepare for the live-streams, the Southern Tidings team arrived the Friday before Camporee. When they got there, the only structures in place for the show were two wooden platforms — one for the live-stream and one for a video wall. The team went to work assembling a canopy, tables, chairs, backdrops, props, and video and audio equipment, all in preparation for the first show.
The Southern Tidings successfully hosted its first live-stream on the morning of Camporee’s opening day. However, due to a heavy storm forecasted later that day, the team had to cancel that evening’s show and quickly disassemble much of the setup to protect the equipment from potential damage.
The following morning, the team reassembled the equipment and produced another live show, demonstrating their dedication and adaptability under challenging circumstances. That evening, the team gathered again to produce the night show, but unlike the previous two broadcasts, this time there was a small live audience of about five people. These attendees watched The Gillette Breakfast Club and then stayed to watch the main stage show, which was also live-streamed to YouTube and displayed on the video wall near the live-stream area. As the main stage show progressed, rain began to fall, prompting some campers to return to their campsites. However, when they saw the evening program was being displayed on the video wall, some stopped, set up their chairs, and continued watching from there. When the evening program ended, several inquired if the main stage program would be live-streamed on the video wall again the next night. The team confirmed, expecting a small audience the next evening.
In anticipation of the next evening’s program, about an hour before the live-stream, a small group prepared popcorn and cotton candy to give to those who would view the live-stream in person through the video wall. But, as the event time approached, it became clear that they would be unable to provide popcorn and cotton candy to the entire audience. The team had anticipated around 100 people to attend, but ultimately around 400 people gathered to watch the program on the video wall.
On Friday, the final night of programing, an even larger in-person crowd gathered to view the live-stream. Attendees cited different reasons for choosing to watch the live-stream rather than attending the main stage program in person. Among those in attendance was Mandy Hagar, leader for the Cannon County Christians Pathfinder Club in Woodbury, Tennessee. Hagar expressed how thankful she was for the option to view the main stage program via the video wall instead of walking an hour each way to the main stage with her group of 9- and 10-year-old Pathfinders.
“I’m super grateful for this option because this is how we’re getting to see the show. It’s been a game changer. I knew we would not have made it back to the main stage after we tried the first time,” said Hagar.
Taylor stated that he believed the live-stream was a success because it not only allowed those at home to connect with the Camporee, but also enriched the experience for those attending in person.
“International Pathfinder Camporee is always filled with excitement and unforgettable experiences,” said Taylor. “Sharing stories and moments with those at home through our live show, and providing a venue for campers to enjoy the evening program together made this Camporee truly special.”
is the associate communication director for the Southern Union Conference.
Southern Union | October 2024
Comments are closed.