As part of the Southern Tidings pin challenge, Pathfinders were asked to share their Camporee experiences through short stories. With about 200 submissions, here are some of the standout reflections.
Discovering God’s Creations in Nature
By Jozhym Riviere, Mountainside Mountaineers Pathfinder Club, Decatur, Georgia
My experience of offsite activities was very engaging. On our two-day road trip, we visited several attractions, including Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park. Our first stop was Mount Rushmore, which was a very delightful experience. My group and I walked the trail around the mountain. I was surprised to see so many people there, most of them being Pathfinders. One of the adults in the group began introducing themselfto other clubs, and we met various groups from Nevada, the Carolinas, Florida, and California. It was a very engaging and beautiful experience. Our next attraction was Yellowstone National Park, which left me in awe. Even before entering the park, we could see the snowcapped mountains. The amount of greenery and size of the park was very surprising. We drove for hours before we even reached the main part of the park, surrounded by winding rivers, rolling hills, and lots of trees. We saw elk several times, including a mother and her calf. The geysers were very interesting, though the scent of the sulfur was overwhelming. This was a very mind-opening experience and it made me appreciate God’s creations more.
Finding Jesus in the Storm
By Audrey Pangemanan, Thoroughbreds Pathfinder Club, Lexington, Kentucky
I’ve truly seen Jesus at this Camporee here in Gillette. There have been several moments when I’ve seen our Lord shine through people, but my favorite was during the storm a couple of days ago. It was one of the hardest downpours I’ve ever seen. The rain and wind pounded everyone’s campsite, and it was genuinely scary for all of us that dark night. Many people suffered much damage, with water flooding their tents, ruining or even washing away precious items. But in the midst of that storm, we had Jesus, and that beautiful reminder gave us peace. After the storm passed, I was amazed at the number of Pathfinders who came to help those less fortunate, no questions asked. They were gentle with the scared children, assisted the adults in pulling muddy tents from the ground, and helped rebuild them. I was so proud of my fellow Pathfinders because I saw my Lord and Savior shine through them that day. They genuinely took the saying, “Do unto others as you would have them do to you,” to the next level.
A Day of Service at Camporee
By Madison Gibson, Berean Crusaders Pathfinder Club, Atlanta, Georgia
One exciting activity I took part in at Camporee was volunteering at the Pathfinder Museum. As one of my Teen Leadership Training (TLT) Program responsibilities, I was asked to volunteer for a minimum of four hours. I was stationed at a table near the entrance of the museum with my sister, Mikayla. Essentially, my job was to offer visitors a Pathfinder Passport and explain how to go about viewing and interacting with the museum. The Passport was, in essence, an activity booklet that visitors completed, and collected six stamps, as they went through the museum. During my time at the museum, I met Pathfinders from across the globe, and excitedly heard their stories and learned about their previous Camporee experiences. Moreover, a couple of individuals offered me pins and patches from their states or countries of origin. As an incentive for my service, I received a special TLT Pin. What’s more, at the beginning of the day I was feeling downcast, homesick, and hopeless as a result of a great storm the previous evening. However, serving others gave me an incomparable joy and peace that completely uplifted my spirit.
Southern Union | October 2024
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