Five years ago, I sat in eager anticipation among 55,000 Pathfinders and leaders at the 2019 International Pathfinder Camporee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. We had been moved by the week’s theme, “Chosen,” showcasing the shepherd boy David’s unlikely anointing as Israel’s king. Who would inspire us next? 

The crowd cheered as animated versions of Moses and Miriam appeared on screen, Moses saying, “Meet us here in 2024, and keep believing the promise!” 

Back then, 2024 seemed a million years away, yet I hoped to find my way back. After all, what could be better than a camporee focused on Moses, my favorite Bible character and the leader I related to most?

After a whirlwind five years, including a pandemic and transition from Ontario Conference communication director to NAD news writer/news producer, I found myself at camporee once more, this time in Gillette, Wyoming. Return speaker Damian Chandler’s messages and the production powerfully depicted an initially reluctant Moses fulfilling God's promise by leading Israel out of 400 years of captivity in Egypt. The most lasting lessons came, however, from the storms that impacted the “Believe the Promise” camporee.

Here are a few takeaways from my experience and conversations at Gillette. 

Peace in the Midst of the Storm

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6,7, NIV).

On Tuesday night, August 6, a storm with wind gusts reaching 70 mph disrupted the opening night. For 90 minutes, after the program has already been canceled, I sheltered with thousands in a centralized building, singing, praying, and catching up with friends. When we emerged, a double rainbow stretched across the vast, CAM-PLEX Multi-Event Facilities — a vivid reminder to “believe the promise” that God would take care of us. 

The storm’s impact was severe, with some clubs seeking shelter in vehicles, hotels, communal tents, and even a horse stable, yet the young Pathfinders’ spirits remained high. One stated, “It’s gonna take a little more than that to scare us.”

Judy Robertson from the Southern Union, who assisted community service coordinator Cindi Young, praised the children’s resilience, noting, “You couldn’t tell it on anybody’s faces.” 

Sheltering in place and viewing how Pathfinders overcame the storm showed me that God may not always remove storms, but He will give us peace as we go through them. 

Stronger Together

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (Eccles. 4:9-10, NIV).

Beginning Tuesday night, Pathfinders and leaders united to rebuild. From securing tents to shoveling mud to replenishing supplies, everyone played a critical role; and clubs throughout the CAM-PLEX helped one another. 

Among the many leaders who stayed out into the wee hours of the night were Jason McCracken, a 50-year Master Guide, who stabilized tents in the South Central Conference site, and Tim Blake, who patrolled the Carolina camp to ensure safety. 

“I felt like Jim Cantore!”[1] Blake joked, adding that Carolina Conference Pathfinder area coordinators had displayed “Pathfinder spirit” as they assessed the damage and devised a plan. 

Even more impressive were stories of the Gillette community providing blankets, sleeping bags, and tents; and local churches, schools, and hotels hosting hundreds of displaced individuals. Pathfinder leader Samantha Meade shared that a local hotel manager offered her restaurant conference room, cots and bedding, and access to showers — no strings attached. “We truly will never forget this kindness,” Meade posted on Facebook.

By Wednesday, many campsites had been rebuilt and activities resumed, a tangible reminder that when a crisis hits, we are stronger together.

Focusing on the God of the Storm

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13, NKJV).

The camporee also underscored the importance of staying focused on the God who prevailed over the storm. The cast of the nightly production showcased this unshakable faith as they pivoted all week due to the weather, including performing double acts on Thursday and Friday. Their radiant faces did not betray the fact that they had prepared for the final show until 4 a.m. 

“We’ve had ups and downs with the weather, [but] we’ve gone with the flow. And we’ve seen God work … the impact we [provided] for the community and its impact on our actors has been an amazing gift!” said Heidi Littell, director and assistant producer of Moses.

Cast member Ricardo Peña, who played Moses’ father, Amram, added, “The message [from the production] has enlightened my spiritual life.”

NAD president G. Alexander Bryant underscored that, despite the challenges, “[several] young people’s lives were changed.” 

These included a camper who asserted, “I saw God in Gillette. I felt His presence.”

Additionally, Craig Carr, the camporee’s baptism coordinator, reported that 1,187 Pathfinders were baptized, including 150 responding to Thursday’s altar call. “I saw dozens of Pathfinders hugging each other, tears of joy running down their faces,” Carr recalled.

Legacy of Faith

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deut. 6:6-7, NIV).

I heard many stories highlighting the camporee’s legacy for the next generation. After a projected storm led leaders to end the camporee a day early, on Friday, August 9, several unions hosted Sabbath worship on August 10, including Master Guide investiture.

David Rachumel Springer noted that he and his wife, Marbelis, determined to get invested together, dressed in uniform and came to the campsite in faith. They were thrilled when “God opened the door.” He concluded, “This is not about us but about being trained to help young people choose Jesus daily.”

Among those baptized, siblings Alejandro Rojas, 18, and Julianna Fernandez, 14, came to Gillette with their father, Juan, who had attended camporee as a Pathfinder. Tatiana Correa, a lay pastor and instructor with the siblings’ Winter Park Spanish Pathfinder Club, recalled seeing the blended family of siblings and parents hugging, smiling, and praying together after the baptism as “a beautiful moment.”

Another parent, Javier Bracero from Orlando Filipino Church, was so driven to bring his children, Javier Jr., age 6, and Ethan Javier, 2, to camporee after attending in 1989 that he and his wife purchased hotel and plane tickets even before receiving camporee tickets. Thankfully, God provided, and they made it to Gillette. “It was life-changing for me, so I wanted to make sure it was life-changing for my kids,” he stated.

Ultimate Pathfinder Camporee

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:4, NKJV).

Finally, as I sat in the crowd on Friday night, a sense of déjà vu came over me as I waited to hear who the hero of the 2029 camporee would be. The answer came quickly — Elijah. The theme — Standing Strong. Again, the crowd erupted in excitement. 

Ron Whitehead, camporee executive director, gave the final lesson, saying, “See you in 2029 or heaven, whatever comes first!”

I left the field with gratitude for a camporee that had stretched me tremendously, but reminded me that ultimately, we can look forward to a heavenly camporee. There, the storms of life will be no more, and we will live as a big Pathfinder family with Jesus forever.