November Already?!

The SAIL Pathfinders have recently finished assisting  hosting a 12 day evangelism series at the Austin South SDA Church. In addition to helping provide child care, working sound and video, recording and still photography, and set up and ushering, presenting special music and reading the daily health nuggets, several of the Pathfinders also presented the evangelical message. It was an impressive thing to watch these youth prepare and present the message, to stand up and share what they believe, to overcome fear and step forward to share the gospel.

With the conclusion of the program, we are shifting back to our regular Pathfinder schedule, and have many activities and plans before the end of the year. This past weekend, we broke into our units for different events - the Friends and Companions worked on the candle-making honor (making several types, including candles made in egg shells), the Explorers and Rangers went over to the new property to work on camping skills (proper ax and hatchet handling, water purification, camp stove and lantern operations, and fire-building), and the TLTs headed over to the rock gym to work on Rock Climbing, part of the training for next year's Enchanted Rock campout.

Upcoming in December we have the North CTX Honor fair, will take part in a Resist Drugs and Gangs march in downtown Austin,  have our annual Holiday party, and take part in the Church's living nativity and Christmas Cantata. We may also take a trip again to the living Bethlehem, or a few other local activities, so keep an eye on the calendar and email for updates.

October is almost upon us, and the weather is finally changing (even if it waited until the day AFTER the CTX Camporee). We have had a busy start to this 60th anniversary Pathfinder year. There was the bee-autiful hike along Bull Creek (only a few stings), learning WAWWAWI, the Lake Travis Underwater Cleanup, drill practice and the Central Texas Camporee at Inks Lake.

The Pathfinders did exceptional at the Camporee, despite the heat and humidity, and the food was top-notch (these Pathfinders are becoming excellent camp cooks). The speaker for the weekend delivered some very thought-provoking messages on leadership and personal choices. The SAIL Pathfinders were called upon to lead opening exercises Sabbath Morning and several song services.

From Bible knowledge to knot tying to compass work and nature study, the SAIL Pathfinders performed extremely well, earning the second highest number of points of the 18 clubs in attendance. An admirable position for a club just now entering its second year in existence.

And there is a lot more to come. We will kick off October with another hike, and then prepare for the Pathfinder Sabbath program and our Induction ceremony. Through end of October and heading into November the Pathfinders will take part in an evangelistic series at the Austin South Seventh-day Adventist Church, with several of the youth presenting the message.

It is shaping up to be another great Pathfinder Year!

SAIL Pathfinder Registration

The SAIL Pathfinder Club is about to launch into a new year. On August 14, we have been asked to head up to Round Rock to share a bit about Pathfinders and help recruit for a new Central Texas Pathfinder Club. August 25 is registration night. The registration materials are now available on the SAIL Pathfinder website (http://austinsouthpathfinders.com/ - click the 'registration" button). Additional materials and information will be available shortly. Activities start quickly this year - September 4 is our first Sabbath afternoon meeting and hike, September 12 is the Lake Travis Underwater Cleanup, and September 24-26 is the 2010 Central Texas Camporee. Our regular Pathfinder meetings will be September 8 and 22.

We are looking forward to another great Pathfinder year!

See you soon,

-Rodger

60 Years of Pathfindering

July 2010 marks 60 years since the formation of the worldwide Pathfinder Club. Growing out of the Missionary Volunteer (MV) and Junior Missionary Volunteer (JMV) Societies of the first decade of the 1900s, the program we know today as the Pathfinder Club developed slowly. In 1922, the first two progressive classes, Friend and Companion, were introduced to the JMV societies, followed five years later by the Master Guide curriculum (then known as Master Comrade). In addition to the MV and JMV societies and the progressive classes, the Seventh-day Adventist Church began to host summer camps in the latter half of the 1920s, with the name “Pathfinder” attached to one camp in California in 1929. In 1932, the first JMV Pathfinder Camp was established in Idyllwild, California, and in 1946 the first conference-sponsored Pathfinder Club was founded in Riverside, California, to carry on the activities and youth involvement of the summer camps year-round. That same year, John H. Hancock (later World Pathfinder Director) designed the Pathfinder emblem, the shield and sword surrounded by a triangle, and two years later Helen Hobbs made the first Pathfinder flag. In 1949, Henry Bergh wrote the Pathfinder Song - “Oh We Are The Pathfinders Strong.” Then, in July 1950, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists approved and encouraged the formation of Pathfinder Clubs as a worldwide mission for youth.

Pedernales Falls Camp-Out

On May 7-9 the SAIL Pathfinder Club held its last camp-out of the Pathfinder year, setting off for Pedernales State Park, west of Austin. This was the first time this year we were able to have a camp-out of our own, and the club split into two parts - those working on Ranger and Voyager went backpack primitive camping, while those in the Friend, Companion and Explorer classes set up a base camp. Each group had their own activities, with both focusing on First Aid and Rescue, among other things. Both groups got together for a Sabbath church service on the banks of the river, where Ray led us in a discussion of alters and thankfulness. We then crossed back over the river for a burrito lunch, before the teens headed back into the wilderness and the juniors headed off on a hike, complete with a mock First Aid emergency. Both campsites were visited by scorpions, the teens also had a tarantula head under a tent,  raccoons digging through the backpacks at night, and a Barred Owl that visited the campsite. In the Junior camp, deer walked through the site. It was a wonderful experience to be out in nature together, and God sent a front through, breaking the 100 degree weather Friday night and keeping us cool and comfortable.

"Blind" Hike along the 360 Greenbelt

On Sabbath afternoon, May 1, we took a hike along the 360 Barton Creek Greenbelt - only this time we took the first half of the path a little slower than usual. The Pathfinders split up into pairs (staff included) and one was blindfolded. The guide would then help direct the blindfolded Pathfinder along the trail, describing the scenery (and obstacles) for their partner, introducing them to the flora and fauna through sound, smell and touch. The blindfolded Pathfinder, meanwhile, learned trust and ways to be aware of their surroundings without using their eyes. After a while the teams swapped the blindfolds, and the guide was now the guided.

It can be a somewhat unnerving experience to hike along a trail without being able to see. You have to trust your fellow Pathfinder, and learn to use your other senses to assist you. Interestingly, it was often the staff who walked the slowest and most cautious while blindfolded, while the younger Pathfinders were more bold and trusting. Maybe this is what Jesus meant when he said we must become like little children, and learn to fully trust him.

Texas Conference Camporee - Fearless In Christ

We are back from the Texas Conference Pathfinder Camporee, which was held at the new Lake Whitney Ranch April 1-4. The theme this year was Fearless In Christ, and the speaker was Pastor Bob Holbrook, the former World Pathfinder Director.

Setting up Thursday was a bit of a challenge in the high winds, but it was also a good test of the SAIL Pathfinder Club's new tents, which held up well in wind, sun and rain. Thursday night, we saw the protective hand of God, as, in answer to prayer, the hail storm that was bearing down on the campsite after midnight split apart and passed around us, leaving us dry (even if a little wind-blown).  Christ on the stormy sea asked his disciples why they feared the storm, and he showed us again why we need not fear the storm.

Friday the SAILs competed in the various events, including knot tying and lashing, relay races, Morse code, identification of fruits and nuts, a community service briefing, soccer and an obstacle course. There was a little rain on and off in the morning, but the sun came out in the afternoon to dry things. Sabbath began with flag raising and club inspection, followed by a parade of the 3500 Pathfinders in full dress uniform past the reviewing stands. After church, the SAILs had lunch with Knights, before heading back down to the main tent for some Sabbath afternoon activities. Sunday morning was the award ceremony; the SAILs received a second-place ribbon for the Camporee.

Over the next few days, we will share some of the Pathfinders' own recollections of the Campore, but until then, a few pictures follow.



Meals - The Pathfinders help plan the menu, cook the food and clean up, even before dawn...

Activities - The Pathfinders got to put some of the skills they have learned to good use during the competitive activities.

Programs - The theme was Fearless in Christ.

Campsite and recreation - What to do when not in a program.

Camporee Practice and Update

The Texas Conference Camporee is fast approaching, and the SAILs braved the cold winds on the first day of Spring and joined a few other clubs in Buda to get a preview of the competitive events. We will have more practice time at the March 24 club meeting, when we will also get a chance to practice setting up the new club tents. There are a lot of knots to keep practicing, rails to learn, and a few fruits and nuts to identify. The study packet is available at the Texas Conference Youth website (http://texasadventist.org/Ministries/Youth/PathfinderCamporee/tabid/230/Default.aspx), scroll down and look for the one called "Friday Events - Study Packet."

Agape Feast

The Pathfinders were called on to help set the tone for the Church Agape Feast March 19. The club sat on cushions on the floor at the beginning of the meal, in the middle of the ring of tables. As the appetizers were being consumed, the church members noticed a slowly building noise coming from the Pathfinders, until it became apparent that a full-fledged argument over who was better had broken out, with different Pathfinders taking sides against others. But before we criticize them for their poor behavior, it was, after all, part of the act. The argument attracted the attention of the other church members present for the dinner, and set the stage for a re-enactment of sorts of the foot washing Christ performed for his bickering disciples. The Pathfinders then went and led out in encouraging others to take part in the Ordinance of Humility as well, before sitting down to a dinner that culminated in the Communion service.

Friends and Companions Open the Program

The Friend and Companion Classes joined up March 10 to lead the opening exercises and present a skit on the health principles taught in the book of Daniel. They enlisted half the club as "extras" for their skit, encouraging Daniel and his friends to flex their mighty muscles after eating the healthy simple foods, while the other candidates for royal office were asked to look unhealthy and exhausted.

Throughout the year we have been working on the Christian Drama honor, as a way for the Pathfinders to share what they have learned and spread the Gospel message. With their practice with the club, they have been called on to take part in different Church activities, and back at the Central Texas Camporee last year were even called at the last moment to perform one of their skits in front of the entire Camporee as part of the worship program.

Pathfinder Sabbath Afternoon Hikes

On March 6 the SAILs set off for the lower Bull Creek Greenbelt after Church and Potluck. After all the rain this year, the creek was running - and so were the trails in places. We never did see the elusive Golden-Cheeked Warbler, but we did have to ford the creek (twice), and for at least some people, the  water was refreshing (others didn't quite use such a pleasant description of the cold water). Ray led out in a discussion of parables that the Pathfinders thought of from their observations along the path. The Bull Creek hike was a follow-up to our February 6 hike along the Barton Creek Greenbelt, another muddy spring tromp through the woods. 

Barton Creek Greenbelt Hike
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Congratulations to the Pinewood Derby Racers

Congratulations to our Pinewood Derby racers! Seven of the SAIL Pathfinders made cars (Emily, Erin, Han, Luke, Mark, Nathan and Niles). Six cars represented the SAILS at the Central Texas Pinewood Derby race in San Antonio, where more than 120 cars were competing for just three spots to represent CTX at the Texas Pathfinder Camporee in April. Nathan and Han advanced to the semi-finals, and Han made it into the finals, placing fourth after a final run-off for third place. Laredo Norte took first place, and Scenic Hills took second and third.

Explorer Class Presents Ananias and Sapphira

The Explorer class (Eliana, Eric, Erin, Han and Vanessa) led the opening exercises at the Feb. 24 meeting, presenting a modern rendition of the story of Ananias and Sapphira from the book of Acts. The SAIL Pathfinders this year have been working on several plays as part of the Christian Drama honor, presenting before the club, the church, and at the Camporee. We are looking forward to the Friend and Companion class leading the meeting in March.

Austin Area Honor Fair

On February 21 SAIL Pathfinders attended the Austin Area Honor Fair, one of several new sub-regional events for Pathfinders around the capital city. SAIL staff taught knot tying, airplane modeling and basic rescue, with other clubs offering a variety of honors including soccer, small engine repair, sign language, Christian storytelling, electricity, computers and others. The rain cleared up just in time for the honor fair, and we had beautiful 70 degree weather (even if it snowed two days later). We are looking forward to the Pinewood Derby in San Antonio February 28.