New parents Sarah and Emory Kelley’s passion for Pathfinders motivated them to attend this year’s camporee even though Sarah was more than eight months pregnant. The couple poses here with baby Nathaniel. Photo provided by Sarah and Emory Kelley.
On Friday, August 9, 2024, following the evening presentation at the International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming, the unexpected happened. Sarah Kelley, who had taken a chance traveling to the camporee when she was nearly full term, felt her water break. Remarkably, Sarah still decided to stay overnight in their tent, not leaving for the hospital until Sabbath morning. Fast forward to Sabbath evening, and little Nathaniel made his grand entrance, the one of the first babies to be born to attendees during an international camporee.
Emory and Sarah Kelley, both 22 years old, have deep roots in the Pathfinder Club in their home state of North Carolina — Emory hailing from Greenville and Sarah from Boone. Their love story began at a Generation of Youth for Christ (GYC) Conference in Kentucky. Sparks flew, and they stayed connected through various Pathfinder events, including the Teen Leadership Team (TLTs), eventually tying the knot last October 2023. Even their wedding vows included keeping the Pathfinder pledge and law in their marriage. They now reside in Winston Salem, North Carolina, and are members of the Winston-Salem First Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Our newest Pathfinder, Nathaniel Wilde Kelley, was born on Sabbath, Aug. 10, 2024 in Gillette. Wyoming, where his parents, Sarah and Emory Kelley were attending the 2024 "Believe the Promise" International Pathfinder Camporee. Photo provided by Sarah and Emory Kelley
Emory has been involved in Pathfinders since he was nine years old and Sarah since she was 14. Their dedication to the club is evident, with Emory serving as deputy director and Sarah becoming secretary for the Winston-Salem First Club next year. The couple also serves as area representatives on the Carolina Conference Pathfinder Council.
Though baby Nathaniel decided to arrive a bit early—about a month before his September 10 due date—everything went smoothly, much to the relief of his parents. The little guy was born at 35 weeks and six days. Just days before she had the baby, Sarah was out in the 100-degree heat painting lines for the camping spaces and doing other jobs.
Hector Gonzales, Pathfinder director for the Carolina Conference, shared, "We were informed on the council that she was going to attend even though she’d be over eight months pregnant. We were worried, but she said, ‘I'll do whatever I need to do.’”
Thinking that the new parents weren't likely to have brought baby supplies, Gonzales contacted Tam Adams, Pathfinder Council leader, who sent out a WhatsApp message to the rest of the team to raise money. They collected $450 for the couple, which was used for a car seat, diapers, and clothes for the 24-hour drive home.
Their Pathfinder club is buzzing with excitement over their newest member. After all, not every club can boast about having a “camporee baby”! Emory and Sarah are overjoyed, and we can only imagine the adventures that await them as they embark on this new chapter as a family of three. Congratulations to the Kelley family on their bundle of joy!
— Clarissa Rosario was a summer intern with the Carolina Conference’s communication department; Rebecca Carpenter is communication director for the Carolina Conference.
The Kelleys pose with International Pathfinder Camporee executive director Ron Whitehead. Photo provided by Center for Youth Evangelism/Ron Whitehead