Explaining the International Pathfinder Camporee to someone who has never attended can be a challenge. Imagine combining summer camp, Vacation Bible School and camp meeting into one event. Then throw in more than 50,000 youth and adult volunteers camping all together within half of a square mile. It may sound like a nightmare — and for some it might be. But for many young people, the camporee is a pivotal moment in their life, where they give their hearts to Jesus, a place and time they will remember forever.
This unique camporee is produced every five years by the Center for Youth Evangelism (CYE). The 2019 camporee was the fifth event CYE has conducted. This year’s event also marked the fifth time the camporee has been held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on the grounds of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). This year was CYE’s biggest camporee event yet, with more than 56,000 Pathfinders, staff and volunteers, including more than 2,500 who made the long trek from the Pacific Northwest.
The “Chosen” theme for the Aug. 12–17, 2019, event centered on the thought that each person is divinely chosen by God. Nightly productions on the main stage became a highlight for many Pathfinders, recounting through drama and song the story of David, a boy chosen by God to lead His people. The evening programs also included devotionals from featured speaker Damian Chandler, senior pastor of California’s Sacramento Capitol City Church.
During the day, Pathfinders from around the world participated in activities, earned honors and traded pins. More than 6,000 of them participated in over 40 community services projects of compassion in the local area.
Pin trading was by far one of the most popular activities. In recent years it has become so popular there is now a Pin Trading Pathfinder honor. Clustered groups of Pathfinders could often be found throughout the grounds eagerly exchanging pins and, in the process, learning interpersonal skills and making new friends from around the world.
Many Pathfinders took advantage of great opportunities at the camporee to earn honors. Some unique options included the Aviators honor, through which Pathfinders could take a ride in volunteers’ private planes over the campground site and city of Oshkosh. Other distinctive and popular honors were the Braille honor taught by Christian Record Services; the Meteorites and the Rocks and Minerals honors taught by Stan Hudson, North Pacific Union Conference (NPUC) Creation Study Center director; and the Geology honor taught by John Kurlinski, Bremerton (Washington) Adventist Christian Church pastor.
Several Northwest booths were present at the camporee. These included a geology and creation booth by the NPUC Creation Study Center and Geoscience Research Institute and a booth by Milo Adventist Academy. The Oregon Conference featured a special activity called the “cave/tunnel trailer.” It allowed adventurous Pathfinders to navigate through four tunnels of various difficulties built into a semitrailer container.
NPUC youth leaders, led by Rob Lang, created a unique on-site community service project, the NPUC Trash Brigade. Each Northwest Pathfinder was handed two bags prominently labeled with the words “NPUC Trash Brigade.” The young people carried these bags on their journeys throughout the campground, collecting trash on their way to and from activities. This turned out to be a huge success well-noted around the camporee.
Beyond the record attendance at this camporee, the event also broke two world records, verified by Guinness Book of World Records personnel. The “largest human image of a cross” was created on Sabbath, Aug. 17, after church, when 13,309 Pathfinders and staff formed the cross outside the mainstage area. The other world record broken was for the largest “neckerchief and woggle” (scarf and slide). Displayed just to the side of the main stage, this gigantic Pathfinder scarf measured 300 feet from tip to tip and weighed about 800 pounds. The slide itself was about 10 feet tall and weighed about 500 pounds.
While the city of Oshkosh may not have been overtly aware of those accomplishments, it certainly felt the positive presence of the crowd, which for a few short days nearly doubled the population of the town. The local Walmart did a bang up business supplying clubs and sponsors with needed supplies throughout. Even the mayor felt a strangely familiar connection, having been raised by a mother who had once been a Pathfinder.
But what will be forever remembered are those decisions that mirrored the camporee theme of "Chosen." Event organizers announced on the final evening that 1,310 Pathfinders and staff had publicly professed their commitment to follow Jesus through baptism. We invite Northwest members to pray for each one of these new births, that they will be surrounded by caring Christians in their onward journey with Jesus.
Videos
- International Pathfinder Camporee 2019 - Monday
- International Pathfinder Camporee 2019 - Tuesday
- International Pathfinder Camporee - Thursday
- Pathfinders Partner with Feeding America
Image Galleries
Pathfinders lead one of the daily parades by marching with a large American flag.
Pathfinders did not stay entirely confined to the main camporee site on the EAA campgrounds. More than 6,000 kids and staff participated in over 40 community services projects of compassion in the local area. They worked with local organizations like the Salvation Army soup kitchen, Habitat for Humanity Restore, Feeding America and many more.
Pathfinders from Alaska get a some help from Tobin Dodge, Alaska Conference youth director, carrying their luggage to their campsite.
Chad Angasan, Nome (Alaska) Church pastor, leads the worship and praise team at the beginning of the evening program on the main stage.
Pathfinders engage and respond to questions during the evening program
More than 50,000 registered attendees gather to join in praise, a devotional and the story of David, all presented from the main stage.
Pin trading and collecting are a highlight of camporee.
Pathfinders gather together in prayer after the nightly play and devotional.
Pathfinders prepare a giant scarf to be displayed Sabbath morning and break a work record.
Damian Chandler, senior pastor of California's Sacramento Capitol City Church, was the featured evening speaker each night.
David is chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel during the first night of the play.
Fireworks kick off the opening night program at the 2019 Chosen International Pathfinder Camporee in Oshkosh, Wisc.
David Salazar, Washington Conference youth director, encourages his conference club directors to get their Pathfinders to don blue ponchos in order to participate in the largest human cross world record attempt on Sabbath after church.
NPUC youth leaders created a unique on-site community service project, the NPUC Trash Brigade. Each Northwest Pathfinder was handed two bags prominently labeled with the words “NPUC Trash Brigade.” The young people carried these bags on their journeys throughout the campground, collecting trash on their way to and from activities. This turned out to be a huge success well-noted around the camporee.
Upper Columbia Conference Pathfinders Calvin Lokko (right, running), and Sammy Scruggs (right, piggybacking) were the first ones to cross the finish line at the camporee's world record attempt for the largest piggyback race.
Pathfinders from the Washington Conference work on earning their Drawing honor.
The Oregon Conference brought a "cave/tunnels trailer" for an on-site activity. The trailer features four tunnels of various difficulties that Pathfinders can navigate through.
Team members Braiden Ermshar, Brian Ermshar, Aiden Bunner and Kevin Benta placed first in the 2019 International Pathfinder Camporee Golf Tournament.
Savannah Sanitoa, member of the Samoan Church in Portland, Oregon, won the longest gold drive in the 2019 International Pathfinder Camporee Golf Tournament.
Braiden Ermshar, member of Adventist Community Church Vancouver in Vancouver, Washington, won the closest to the pin award for two holes in the 2019 International Pathfinder Camporee Golf Tournament.
Jana Lee, Meadow Glade Church (Battle Ground, Washington) associate pastor, baptizes Camille.
More than 56,000 Pathfinders, staff and volunteers gathered on the EAA campgrounds.
13,309 Pathfinders and staff form the Guinness Book of World Records' “largest human image of a cross” on Sabbath, Aug. 17.
During the final night of the camporee, the story of David finished with him being crowned king.
Damian Chandler, senior pastor of California's Sacramento Capitol City Adventist Church, was the featured evening speaker each night.
The North Pacific Union Conference (NPUC) created a set of pins that featured a unique pin for each of the six local conferences along with one for the NPUC’s partner island in the Guam Micronesia Mission, Palau. Pathfinders who collected all seven outer pins could then get the center pin from the NPUC on-site headquarters.
Northwest youth leaders stand outside the NPUC on-site headquarters: (from left) Tobin Dodge, Alaska Conference youth director; Dan Gilbert, Idaho Conference Pathfinder director; Josh Holloway, Montana Conference Pathfinder representative; Rob Lang, NPUC youth and young adult director; Randy Hill, Oregon Conference associate youth director; Richie Bower, Upper Columbia Conference associate youth director; and David Salazar, Washington Conference youth director.
Pathfinders from the Central Jamaica Conference and the North Pacific Union Conference lower the Canadian flag.
Pathfinders from the North Pacific Union Conference fold the flag of the United States of America after lowering it.
Montana Conference Pathfinders march in the parade.
Pathfinders from the Rockwood Explorers, in Gresham, Oregon, participate in the Braille honor.
As part of the Braille honor, Pathfinders had to write their name in Braille.
Rob Lang, NPUC youth and young adult director, leads the NPUC in Tuesday's parade.
Richie Bower, Upper Columbia Conference associate youth director, celebrates after baptizing a Pathfinder.
Randy Hill, Oregon Conference associate youth director, baptizes a Pathfinder.
Joey Barajas, Walla Walla University campus ministries and University Church
Pathfinders and sponsors wait eagerly for the opening of the hall containing the NPUC Creation Study Center exhibit.
Stan Hudson, NPUC Creation Study Center director, teaches an honor class.
The NPUC Creation Study Center and the Geoscience Research Institute partnered in the Oshkosh exhibit and a special pin for trading.
The individual hands-on exhibits were a hit with Pathfinders.
The Creation Study Center exhibit area included plenty of room for inquisitive Pathfinders.
Matthew Kirk, Montana Conference vice president, boosts his son high to take in the evening program.
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