“Believe the Promise” was the theme for the International Pathfinder Camporee held in Gillette, Wyoming from August 6th-12th 2024. The contingency from the South Bahamas Conference numbered 115 with local Pathfinder clubs consisting of the Ephesus Gators, Hillview Stingers, Grants Town Northern Stars, Living Faith Trailblazers, Centreville Golden Eagles and La Senda Guerreros Del Rey (Warriors of the King).

The Camporee’s Bible story focused on Moses and depicted the theme “Believe the Promise” highlighting to Pathfinders that God keeps His promises even when things may not seem to be working out.

The camporee offered attendees unique educational activities and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. At “Believe the Promise,” halls full of exhibits, vendors, and on-site activities allowed Pathfinders to learn more about history, Adventist organizations and culture, careers, hobbies, skills, volunteer services, and different types of honors.

At the camporee a Guinness world record was also set as 250 kids worked together to stuff backpacks with essential school supplies in a five-minute setting. The campers were able to stuff 255 backpacks, surpassing their goal of 250.

Many activities and program’s that were planned throughout the Camporee were disrupted because of unpredictable weather, but our Pathfinders with resilience completed many honors and are proud of all that they accomplished.

SBC Youth Director Pastor Manasseh Simms said “I am proud of our Pathfinders and how they rose to the occasion, inspite of all challenges, to complete their honors. Truly they ‘Believed the Promise’ that God was with them which enabled them to achieve and even surpass the honors goal that was given to them.” Of the many honors earned, 2 Pathfinders exceeded the required number. Sierra Edwards of the Hillview Stingers Club and Kerrigan Miller of the Ephesus Gators.

Edwards said, “This year’s Camporee was honestly a great experience. I got about 16 honors and the whole experience was great because I got to learn about so many different areas, like astronomy, sharks, nature. I learnt about the stars, the galaxies.”

Miller said, “During this Camporee I had a lot of fun doing honors, I got 23 exactly. Now during this Camporee we ran around and started doing honors, I had a lot of fun dong them, I just couldn’t stop. One of my favorites was actually planets, where we learnt about the celestial bodies. When we learnt about the celestial bodies, we learnt that the were named after the different roman gods like Jupiter and Mars, but none of them compare to our Lord Jesus.”    

On the evening of Thursday, August 8th, 2024, a decision was made to end the International Pathfinder Camporee  earlier than planned. Camporee leadership released the announcement on the camporee website and social media platforms in the early hours of August 9th, that severe thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail were predicted.

Coming to the rescue of the SBC Pathfinders was the Gillette SDA Church, providing accommodations and food. The group worshipped with the congregation and participated in the service through songs and testimonies.

During the Camporee, Youth Director Simms had a chance to speak with the General Conference Associate Youth Director Pastor Pako Mokgwane  and he had this message for the youth of the South Bahamas Conference.se

Before officially closing off the Camporee, the theme and location for the next Camporee was announced to be held on August 6-12, 2029 in Gillette, Wyoming under the theme “Stand Strong” depicting the story of Elijah.