Leaders young and old descended on Glacier View Ranch to study, fellowship, and celebrate together at the annual Pathfinder and Adventurer leadership training.
The gathering, held September 10–12, hosted 140 leaders from 50 clubs throughout Rocky Mountain Conference. The fellowship between leaders was greatly anticipated as well as appreciated. The first in-person leadership training in two years.
Addressing the crowd on Sabbath, Ron Whitehead, director of the Center for Youth Ministry, explained that the Rocky Mountain Conference will have the honor of hosting 60 thousand Pathfinders in three years at the 2024 International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming. “Rocky Mountain Conference will be the host to the world,” Whitehead said.
“Our conference will have the unique opportunity to host overseas clubs who will be flying in from many other countries but will not be able to bring tents or food with them. We can invite these clubs to camp and eat with us, thus forming lasting friendships and international experiences. We are all very excited and cannot wait for 2024,” expressed Sue Nelson, RMC Pathfinder co-coordinator.
On Sabbath, an investment ceremony of two new Master Guides from the Golden, Colorado Falcons Adventurer Club was held. The club ministries website of the North American Division defines a master guide as “a responsibility more than status. The Master Guide continues to be the highest level of Invested leadership within the Adventurer/ Pathfinder programs of the church. It focuses on one’s personal spiritual life and growth, first and foremost.” The ceremony was led by Chris Hill, former RMC Adventurer and Pathfinder executive.
One attendee, commenting on the investment ceremony, said it was a privilege to celebrate the accomplishments and hard work of the two individuals invested.
Attendees had the opportunity to attend a question-and-answer forum that allowed newer staff to interact with those more experienced and raise questions about local club issues. Those studying to become Master Guides attended classes to help them with requirements. Other classes were held on the stars, origami, and a new honor piloted in RMC researching pikas, little rodent-type animals that live exclusively in high mountain altitudes. A new director’s course also covered the basics of starting up a new club.
Reflecting on the honor classes, Kathy Dorn-Walker, RMC Pathfinder trainer, commented, “We studied ways of teaching Pathfinders the stars honor and learned how to tell Bible stories with different constellations. The Glory of God in the heavens!”
Adventurer award classes during the weekend outing included safety, horsemanship, and healthy foods. The Pathfinder honors taught were outreach, backpacking, and knots. Classes were also offered in Spanish, and the Adventurer award in Spanish included friend of Jesus, health, and missionaries.
— RMCNews with Sue Nelson, RMC Pathfinder co-coordinator
