Press Releases

International Pathfinder Camporee Announces Decision to End Nighttime Program a Day Early Due to Weather-Related Concerns

Aerial view of the 2024 International Pathfinder Camporee

Aerial view of the 2024 "Believe the Promise" International Pathfinder Camporee nighttime amphitheater on August 9 as Pathfinders arrive and settle in for the program. Photo by Pieter Damsteegt

On Thursday evening, Aug. 8, 2024, the decision was made to conclude the International Pathfinder Camporee (IPC) earlier than expected. Camporee leadership published the following announcement on the camporee website and on its social media platforms in the early morning hours on Aug. 9, after announcing the decision to attendees the previous evening after the nighttime program:

"Because the safety of all those gathered at the International Pathfinder Camporee is of utmost importance, the camporee leadership, in collaboration with North American Division union, division, and international leadership, has reluctantly decided to finish the evening main stage nighttime program one day early, on Friday, August 9. Severe thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail are predicted for Sabbath late afternoon and evening. Every effort is being made to keep Pathfinders safe during the next few days. With this in mind, the camporee is providing each international guest, NAD union, conference and club director information they need to make an informed decision as to when it is best for them to depart the camporee for home."

In the Thursday night announcement, Ron Whitehead, executive director of IPC, shared that while the nighttime program would wrap Friday night and clubs remaining at CAM-PLEX would be free to worship on their own Sabbath morning, the plan for the afternoon would to be open indoor activities such as the Pathfinder museum. After sundown, if the storms do not hit Gillette, vendors would be open.