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.