Let’s Go: Explore, Serve and Share

singing, more Mountain Man and more on God’s friendship with Abraham engaged the Pathfinders on Friday evening.

Whitehead explained how growing a friendship with your best buddies is the work of a lifetime, just as a friendship with God takes a lifetime. He talked about traps to avoid when developing friendships, and shared that avoiding those traps applies equally to friendship with God.

Day three started bright and early for clubs that wanted to go to Glacier National Park. It was National Park Day and entrance into the park was free.

Golden Eagles Pathfinder Club were among the clubs that left at 5 a.m. with sack breakfasts and lunches packed.

Nampa Zephyrs Pathfinder Club had a more reasonable time of 7:30 a.m. set for their departure from the Northwest Montana Fairgrounds. They stopped at the Glacier National Park sign for an obligatory photo.

Their first planned stop was the Logan Pass Visitor Center. The parking lot was full, so drivers dropped off kids and staff at the center and found parking two off-road parking areas away.

Golden Eagles and Sandpoint Northern Lights Pathfinder Clubs had already finished their hikes when Nampa Zephyrs Pathfinder Club arrived. Golden Eagles Pathfinder Club was headed to St. Mary Lake, and Sandpoint

Northern Lights Pathfinder Club headed up to the Continental Divide sign for a group photo.

Once everyone was assembled, some of the group decided to hike to the Hidden Lake Outlook, a 1.5-mile one-way hike, mostly uphill on wooden boardwalks.

Along the way, other clubs passed by. Sunnyside Spanish Exploradores de Jesus

Pathfinder Club hiked all the way to the outlook sporting their bright orange hoodies.

Cascadia Eagles Pathfinder Club and Wheatland Coyotes

Pathfinder Club also made the trek to the outlook and said the view was fantastic. Puyallup Pioneers Pathfinder Club went to Flathead Lake and enjoyed kayaking and swimming.

Otis Orchards Pathfinder Club went to Glacier and saw a grizzly bear. They even had video to prove it! Members of Boise Ponderosa Pathfinder Club also saw the grizzly bear.

Tacoma

Central God’s Northern Lights Club also went to Glacier. They had a great time, skipped stones on one of the lakes, hiked and had lunch.

One very special thing that happened in Glacier was the baptism of two Pathfinders. That’s what Pathfinder Camporees are all about!

Later in the afternoon back at the fairgrounds, Montana Wild Wings gave a bird demonstration. They showed a variety of falcons, hawks and owls. The volunteers shared that the birds they brought with them were on loan from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and are unable to be released into the wild due to the injuries sustained.

During the last nightly program, Idaho clubs assisted with a flag burning to respectfully retire a flag.

Pathfinders joined in singing “God Bless America” as the flag was being burned.

Whitehead extended an invitation to the Pathfinders to choose Jesus to be their friend, just like Abraham. Some recommitted to Jesus, and 236 attendees made decisions for baptism.

While Pathfinders is a lot of fun, that fun wraps around experiencing Jesus. Without that emphasis, Pathfinders would be just another youth group.

Some clubs packed up and left after the nightly program, especially those with a long way to travel. Others planed to leave the next morning.

Even though day one’s weather was a total washout, the “Let’s Go” NPUC Pathfinder Camporee was a great experience. Looking back, Pathfinders and Adventurers were able to learn a lot, earn honors and awards and get to know kids from other clubs.

EVE RUSK Idaho Conference communication director