The 2013 Pathfinder Camporee was held at Cataract, south of Sydney, over the Easter long weekend, with 480 Pathfinders and Pathfinder staff from 26 different clubs in attendance.

Conference president, Pr Michael Worker, officially opened the Camporee, themed “Keep Camp and…,” based on the story of Moses. Pr Deveron Strickland, Youth Director for the Tasmanian Conference, was the guest speaker. “The story of Moses not only influenced the evening presentations but each of the Camporee activities,” says Pr John Wells, Conference Pathfinder Director. ” Each of the sub-camps were named after one of the tribes of Israel. Morning worships were held around each of the sub-camp flags.”

An overwhelming number of Pathfinders indicated, through commitment cards, that the Camporee had made an impact on their spiritual growth. “The evening sessions were well presented and gave us all a good spiritual feeling to end the day. The ongoing biblical theme was great and helped immensely with day-time activities,” indicated an anonymous Pathfinder, through the commitment card. In total, 102 Pathfinders requested bible studies and 94 indicated a desire to be baptised. “These names have been shared with the respective pastors, elders, and Pathfinder Directors,” says Pr Wells.

Day-time activities included events such as Boot Camp, physical activity and overcoming problems to form part of Joshua’s army; Spies Like Us, participants setting out to collect points whilst being confronted by ‘giants’ with water pistols; Quail Quest, collecting ‘quail’ before the Amalekites found them; and Chain Gang, making bricks for Pharaoh.

“The success of the Camporee was due to the great team of 60 volunteer staff who worked together to make this a very successful outreach program,” says Pr Wells. “These events make a long-lasting, at times life-changing, impact in the life of young people.”