Adventures/Travels/Food
Pathfinder Camporee 2014 at Mountain View College
8:07 AM
Last November 10-15, 2104,
the SPUC-Wide Pathfinder Camporee 2014 with the theme “Love, Care and Serve” was
held at Mountain View College, Valencia City, Bukidnon. Kids were excited about
meeting people from other part of Mindanao and to take part in many activities
prepared for them. The weeklong activity was participated by more than 3,000
youths across Mindanao. This SPUC-Wide Camporee is held every five years.
It was first time for our son, Sean Justin,
to attend this activity. On Sunday, we accompanied him on the first day in
order to set up his tent and other materials as well as to witness some of their
activities. It took us almost four hours to reach Mountain View College from
Cagayan de Oro but its atmosphere relieved our tiring journey. Ms. Eurica
Ferarren and Patrick helped us in our room accommodation.
During meal time, we proceeded to their canteen
which serves vegetables, gluten, tofu, wheat and cinnamon bread for affordable
price – healthy living. Our son stays in their campsite separate from us. In the
morning, my wife and I walked around the campus with our jackets closely held
as it was very cold. We were so happy to have seen our son participated and
enjoyed their activities with the assistance of his teachers. Our son in his
testimony after the activity states:
“On the first day, I felt scared but later on I enjoyed
and excited of the activities. On the first day, we had our parade then
followed by hand mime presentation in the evening. We had swimming, first aid
application, hiking, sports, shoe repair, obstacle course, zip lining, rock climbing,
wall rappelling and other physical activities. We woke up early in the morning
at around 4 o’clock, take a bath then proceed to the church for early worship. We
also have activities like sermon, Christian storytelling, and watching movie
entitled “Journey to Bethlehem". We have investiture and social gathering where I
met friends. On the last day, I packed my things and excited to go home. I learned
a lot from this activity.”
Here are some of the memorable moments:
Pathfinders
The Pathfinder
Club, or simply Pathfinders, is a department of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church (SDA), which works specifically with the cultural, social
and religious education of children and adolescents in the age group between 10
and 15 years.
Similar in many
respects to Scouting this differs by religious emphasis on their
activities. Globally the Pathfinder Club is part of the church's youth ministry.
Objectives
The Pathfinder
Club is centered in the "physical-mental-spiritual tripod”, which develops
activities to meet the needs and interests of children and adolescents between
10 and 15 years old, with a specific focus on this age group religious program.
Much of the
Pathfinder Club program is built around physical activities. Pathfinder
activities involving action, adventure, challenge and group activities
"provide opportunities for the development of new attitudes and skills
that produce personal growth, team and community spirit," which according
to philosophy of the program, part of the tripod of "citizenship and
loyalty" that preaches respect for "God, His creation, and His
church."
The whole
philosophy Pathfinder is built on the premise that "juveniles and children
learn best by example, instead of the precepts. With this is expected to develop
high moral principles, attitudes of love, care and determination, these
startling in all the activities. The educational philosophy of the club, also
emphasized that youth learn more effectively in a positive, happy and secure
atmosphere.
The leadership
role is to "help young people understand and love God and to watch over
the church."
According
to the Manual of the Pathfinder club, the goals and duties of the leadership of
the club are:
·
"Encourage Pathfinders to discover their
God-given potential and use their gifts and skills to meet the expectations of
the plan of salvation";
·
"Inspire them to give personal
expression of their love for God, uniting with other youth in various extension
activities";
·
"Becoming number one priority club
program the personal salvation of every Pathfinder";
·
"Building on the groundbreaking
appreciation for a healthy life (enjoy outdoor activities) and cultivate in
them a love for God's creation";
·
"Teach the groundbreaking immersive and
interactive skills in order to make the time and talents of the most
significant youth";
·
He should "encourage the Pathfinder to
keep physically fit, and teaches them to take care of your body and establish
habits that will give your health benefits";
·
"Provide opportunities for development
of leadership by encouraging club members working together and sharing the
responsibilities of leadership.";
·
"And aim to promote the harmonious
development of pathfinder, taking care of all necessary aspects, be they
physical, social, intellectual and spiritual."
Organization
Each Pathfinder
club is run by a director of the club, vice-principals, counselors,
instructors, chaplain, secretary and treasurer. The administrative offices of
the club require that trained people are occupying the function. The club is
divided into separate units, classified by sex and age. Each unit has an
average of six or eight pathfinders, accompanied by a counselor, who is their
leader.
Activities
Various activities
are carried out in the club program, and subdivided according to the
educational tripod club, focusing on the physical, mental and spiritual.
Physical
Various activities
such as hiking, jungle trails, swimming, mountaineering, games that encourage exercise
and other recreational activities highlighted the event. Physical activities
are in essence (within the official philosophy), entertain and attract children
and adolescents, and allow it to jointly develop their mental and spiritual
aspect.
Mental
Part of mental
development is to encourage youth to do Bible studies and attend lectures.
Spiritual
Although the
physical part requires considerable time within the activities, spiritual
development is the main focus of the club to bring the youth to have a
"constant daily experience with God", making him reflect on "His
creation and His care for him."
0 comments