| International Pathfinder leaders receive warm welcome | | Email | Print |
Created dateAug 11, 2009 Last editAug 11, 2009 at 5:34 PM
by Diane Thurber; Source: NAD Communication, herald@luc.adventist.org
[News]
The first international delegates to arrive on the campgrounds in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for the International Pathfinder Camporee were from Germany, and approximately 1,850 international delegates representing 63 countries soon joined them.
A special luncheon was held for international Pathfinder leaders at the nearby EAA AirVenture Museum, on Tuesday, August 11. As Glynis Bradfield, international coordinator for the camporee, prepared for the delegates to arrive she created centerpieces made of spools of yarn with international flags inserted and placed them on the tables. She remarked, “This is what we’re doing here this week. We’re weaving together the thread of youth ministry.”
Following the luncheon, Ron Whitehead, executive director of the International Pathfinder Camporee, warmly welcomed leaders. He stated, “You and I will be making history together this week.” A survey of the group led to discovery that the largest international delegation is from the Inter-American Division with 800 individuals. The smallest delegation is from Mongolia, represented by Bolormaa B. Purvee, director. Purvee’s club in Mongolia formed last summer, and it now has 30 members. Purvee was excited to attend the camporee because she says she could meet so many people worldwide and get some new ideas.
The delegates enjoyed a delicious meal that included potato salad, fruit salad, sandwiches and brownies. It was a welcome spread appreciated by Jeffery Chan, associate director of the Hong Kong and Macao Conference of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division. There are 32 delegates attending from Hong Kong, and only three have attended the International Pathfinder Camporee before.
Chan told others at his lunch table how the Hong Kong Pathfinders found various ways to pay their travel expenses to the camporee, such as cleaning the home of older persons. Also, their conference motivated the Pathfinders by offering AY Gold and AY Silver awards for those who completed requirements in community service, physical exercise, service at church and specific honors. The AY awards helped subsidize their expenses. The Louisiana Conference hosts the Hong Kong club. Chan said, “They provide everything. So kind, so nice to us.” Many other North America clubs are meeting new friends this week as they host international clubs.
Whitehead invited the international leaders to share a few short experiences about their travels to the camporee in the U.S., and he awarded a commemorative camporee hat to those telling their stories.
All the delegates were briefed about communication, security, transportation, registration, daytime and nighttime activities. A special tour of the nighttime program staging area was announced for later in the afternoon.
Bradfield addressed the delegates in closing. She said, “Take the opportunity to learn this week. … Go home with ideas. We’re all part of the family of God. We’re all wanting to be in the Kingdom together.” She received a rousing hand of applause for her attentive assistance as the international delegates planned their travels.
A Pathfinder or leader from each international conference present at the camporee will march in a procession at the Tuesday night program carrying their country’s flag and wearing their Pathfinder uniform. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Assembly area.
According to the Center for Youth Evangelism website, International Camporees are one of the many events they organize and direct "to claim, reclaim and retain young people for Christ and His Church." For more information, please visit www.adventistyouth.org or call 1800 YOUTH 2 U or 1-269-471-8380.
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