ESCANABA - Since 1926, a unique event has been building the character and virtue of youth on an international level. Pathfinders, organized by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church every five years, is open to participation by youth of all denominations. Its purpose: To teach youth about character and virtues, and how to be good, productive people.
The 2009 Pathfinders camporee, hosted by the Lake Union Conference, was the biggest in the event's history. A total of 36,372 campers and staff members converged on a 150-acre farm field in Oshkosh, now the international home of Pathfinders. Of the total in attendance, nearly 2,000 were from 64 countries.
Representing Michigan were 55 groups, including three from the Upper Peninsula - Manistique, Iron Mountain and Wilson.
Bud Moon and Aaron Berger, the local contacts for Pathfinders, were part of this year's adventure, as they oversaw the Wilson group of campers.
"We had eight Pathfinders and one Adventurer, plus four adults all week, and then two more adults came on Thursday," said Berger. "It's an experience that's so great for the kids, and it's so good to be able to help out," added Berger, whose own children were part of the event as well.
Moon, a former educator from California, said, "I have never seen such a well-behaved group of kids, let alone such a large group."
The grade-level range for youth to belong to Pathfinders is 5-9, which is why the event is held every five years, the two explained. This gives every young person who's interested in attending a camporee the opportunity to do so within the five-year span.
In order to help with expenses, including an entry fee of $165 per person, the local Pathfinders club conducts fund-raisers so youth may raise their own money to go. However, no child is turned away.
"If a child is really serious about going (to the camporee) and the family just can't afford it, the club will help out," said Berger.
Generally speaking, though, the youth are willing to work hard to earn whatever dollar amount they need in order to participate in this unique event. "Brazil spent $40,000 to come," said Berger. "Other countries came for two weeks, to allow time for sight seeing."
Moon added that 8,000 campers visited Seventh-Day's "Heritage Village Town" in Battle Creek during their stay in the midwest.
One camper, according to Berger and Moon, pedalled his bike all the way from Oregon to Oshkosh - 2,500 miles!
Once at the campsite, basic amenities are scarce. For example, no automobiles are allowed at camp. Wagons are the mode of transportation, especially for means of hauling water. The only motorized vehicle that comes to the camp is the bus that transports youth to the locations of their various service activities.
No modern conveniences - cell phones or other electronic devices - may be used by campers, either. The youth are allowed to call home once each week, though.
As for bathroom facilities, sharing is the key word. There were 90 people per toilet and 120 people per shower, yet they managed to work it out.
"What amazed me most," said Moon, "was how especially kind everyone was," noting that despite stifling temperatures, campers were happy to be a part of the bigger picture.
During the weeklong campout, each U.S. camp provides daily meals for one out-of-country club. The Wilson club fed the 20-member club from Brazil. This arrangement is made out of consideration for the fact that not only have these groups traveled great distances and spent large sums of money to be at the camporee, but they have no means of contributing to the group's food supply, let alone their own club's.
Events for campers are plentiful. Each morning begins at 7 a.m., with a conference assembly for instructions and the day's itinerary. The daytime hours are filled with such on-site activities as pop bottle launches, a motocross exhibition and an inflatable obstacle course, among many others. addition, community service work is performed in and around the camporee area (Appleton and Oshkosh, primarily). An example of a community service performed is boxing food for children in Africa.
Each night, then, is filled with plays, inspirational talks and singing.
Throughout their time at camp, both the youth and the adults make numerous new friends from all over the world. One of the ways they meet is through pin trading, which has become a hugely popular practice. Hundreds of thousands of pins were traded during this year's event. There were people with their hats, vests and shirts covered in pins, according to Berger. With each trade, another friend is made, which is culturally enriching.
All events that take place in "the big tent" (talent shows, for example) are telecast on giant TVs, strategically placed so that no campers miss "the show."
The campers are also able to learn new things and have new experiences. This includes expanding their religious horizons, as well.
"This year, 512 young people made the decision to follow Jesus and were baptized," said Moon, who emphasized that the camporee is open to youth of all denominations, even though it is organized by the Seventh-day Adventists.
The camporee originally began with 3,000 Pathfinders. Next time, the number of attendees will be capped at 36,000.
Anyone interested in learning more about Pathfinders and the camporee may contact Bud Moon, director of the Wilson club, by e-mailing him at budlymoon@aol.com.
"During the school year, we hold club meeting for Pathfinders," said Moon, "and we do campouts and some camporees (downstate, too)."
This year, for those youth who are interested, the club goes on a mission trip whenever possible. This year, the club is traveling to the Carribean at Christmas, to bring the message of the holiday to children in need. Cost of participation is $1,500 per person.
The estimated value of Pathfinders experiences: Priceless.
