Excitement builds as final preparations take place for the highly anticipated Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD)-wide Pathfinder Camporee, scheduled from February 23 to March 2, 2025. With the theme “Rebuild the Altar,” the camporee aims to bring together more than 10,500 Pathfinders from various churches and schools across the 11 countries within the division. The event will provide an immersive experience in spiritual revival, skill development, and Adventist mission awareness.
What is Pathfindering?
Pathfindering is a worldwide program of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, designed to nurture young people through outdoor activities, leadership training, and spiritual growth. Similar to scouting, Pathfinders engage in camping, hiking, survival skills, and service projects, all while deepening their relationship with God. The program emphasizes character-building, teamwork, and service, preparing young people for active engagement in their communities and faith.
Learning, Growing, and Building Connections
The Division-wide Pathfinder Camporee offers a variety of stations and activities tailored to empower Pathfinders with essential life skills while strengthening their faith and identity in Christ. Participants will have the opportunity to explore different activity stations, earn new honors, and engage in interactive learning experiences. A detailed camp map has been provided to help campers maximize their time at each station, ensuring they get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime event
Dr. Remwil Tornalejo, President of Mountain View College, warmly welcomes all campers, parents, and church leaders to the highly anticipated SSD-wide Pathfinder Camporee. In a social media post, he expressed MVC’s excitement at hosting this significant event.
“Mountain View College is thrilled to welcome all Pathfinders, leaders, and guests to our beautiful campus from February 23 to March 2, 2025! As we eagerly anticipate this grand gathering, MVC is working closely with SSD organizers to ensure an enriching and memorable experience for everyone.”
A Life-Size Sanctuary: Bringing the Bible to Life
In alignment with the theme “Rebuild the Altar,” one of the key features of this camporee is a meticulously constructed life-size sanctuary, offering campers an immersive experience of how the Bible describes this holy temple. This hands-on exhibit allows participants to step into the historical and spiritual significance of the biblical sanctuary, deepening their understanding of God’s presence and the principles of worship.
Mission Awareness and Global Adventist Impact
To broaden the perspective of Pathfinders and their families, organizers have welcomed various Adventist organizations, institutions, and independent ministries to set up booths in designated stations. These interactive exhibits will provide valuable insights into the global mission of the Adventist Church, showcasing its initiatives in education, healthcare, community service, and evangelism. This feature aims to inspire campers to take an active role in their local and international church missions.
Enhancements and Accommodations for a Memorable Camporee
Significant infrastructure developments have been made across the Mountain View College (MVC) campus to ensure a smooth and enriching experience for all campers. Organizers have meticulously planned designated tent assignments to maintain an orderly and comfortable lodging arrangement. The official tenting area map has been released, guiding participants to their designated spaces for a safe, clean, and well-organized camping experience.
Some pathways around Mountain View College have been newly paved to ensure smooth and convenient travel across the campus, allowing campers to move easily between stations without the challenge of rough or uneven roads.
Pastor Ron Genebago, SSD Youth Director and lead organizer of the camporee, shares insights into the extensive preparations leading up to the event. “We wholeheartedly seek God’s protection and provision for this camporee. Through fervent prayer, we dedicated 100 days to prayer, fasting, and intercession, entrusting every aspect of this gathering to Him. In preparation, we sought God’s wisdom, carefully planning each detail alongside my counterparts to ensure a meaningful and well-organized gathering.
“For camporee safety, we have implemented the Incident Command System (ICS)—a globally recognized framework for managing large-scale events and disaster response. Additionally, a dedicated Safety Committee, led by Master Guide Judge Chalmer Gavieso, MG Coordinator of SePUM, will meticulously assess activities, identify potential risks, and recommend proactive measures to prevent accidents and injuries,” Genebago added.
As thousands of young Pathfinders prepare for this unforgettable event, the Division-wide Pathfinder Camporee is expected to be a time of spiritual revival, adventure, and fellowship. Through learning, service, and worship, attendees will be challenged to deepen their commitment to God and develop skills that will shape them into future leaders of faith and service.
With just a few months to go, organizers continue to fine-tune details to ensure a transformative experience for every camper. The SSD leadership invites Pathfinders, leaders, and families to embrace this unique journey of faith, growth, and mission, making the 2025 SSD Pathfinder Camporee a historic gathering of youthful energy, devotion, and purpose.