jstefan posted on September 01, 2009 09:02
Imagine camping out with 35,000 other Pathfinders, kids and adults who believe in the same things, and are excited about Jesus, and are excited about having fun. That's what the 2009 International Pathfinder Camporee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin was all about. The Westminster Timberwolves were there thanks in part to a lot of different people who worked hard, donated money, and prayed. Thankfully their prayers were answered, as we left the church parking lot on August 9, and made our way West in a mini caravan. Our first night was spent on the Ohio-Indiana border, swimming in the hotel pool. But that wasn't the last of our water experiences there was more to come. When we finally arrived at the Experimental Air Field in Oshkosh, where the camporee was held, we were met with a 15-minute rain storm. It didn't dampen our spirits, and thankfully didn't dampen our tents either. The next day found us traveling to Wisconsin Dells, a place with several water parks. The largest outdoor water park in the country, Noah's Ark, was our venue for the day. Riding on water slides such as The Black Anaconda and The Point of No Return and relaxing in the Wave pool made for a lot of fun.
When we finally arrived back at the camporee site, we were just in time to be part of the opening program. Pathfinders from the talent tent winners, clubs with special programs and group singing opened each evening’s program. Following that there was Toby time - A puppet that was interviewed by the emcee, and gave us an overview of the day's activities. The main program each evening, found us entering the court of the King of Persia - Xerxes, and taking in the story of Esther, Mordecai, and Haman. Would Esther have the Courage to Stand? Each evening further unfolded another part of the story, and had us waiting to hear more. Ending the program was a Speaker from Australia, presenting the Word in yet a different way.
During the daytime, after arising around 6 am, and eating breakfast prepared by our cook, Jill Smuda, there was the morning worship period in the Chesapeake Conference tent, updates and announcements. The days were spent in the honors tents, at the Atlantic Union Obstacle Course, or at one of the other myriad of activities that included an illusionist, science demonstrations, archery, a climbing tower, a ventriloquist, water balloon shoot, Tony the Tiger, airplane rides, and so much more. There was also the opportunity to help out with community service projects, visit the various hangars with booths where groups such as Pathfinder T-shirts, It is Written, The EG White estate, and others presented their wares and talked about their programs. Besides all that there were Karate, and Trick Bicycle Demonstrations, and Balloon rides.
Surprisingly one activity that seemed just as, or even more popular than all the others put together was pin trading. Each Conference and each Union brought specially prepared pins representing their Conference or Union. One very popular pin was the Atlantic Union pin, which consisted of a Ferris wheel, with each of the seats representing one of the conferences in the union. The Ferris wheel actually turned, and it, along with many other pins, actually had a small light. Another popular pin was the Potomac Conference pin, in the shape of the ship that the colonist of Jamestown sailed in. And of course the Wisconsin Conference pin was also a big favorite. In addition to Union and Conference pins, we also brought some Maryland Flag pins, 50 of them, and every one was gone, desired by others who wanted them for their collections.
The week ended ever so quickly, and found us Sabbath morning in our class “A” uniforms preparing for conference inspection. Following that was a gigantic Parade of Conferences marching to the Arena for the Sabbath morning program. As awesome as it all was, a special surprise awaited us all on Saturday night...During the preliminary parts of the program, almost everyone in the arena begin to look to their left, up to the sky. With thousands of pictures flashing, we all witnessed a special gift from God. In the sky was a cloud formation in the shape of a cross. Evidence of God watching over that special place? Remember Moses at the burning bush? "The place where thou standest is Holy ground." The place where we stood was also Holy ground, for God was there. And God went with each of us back home. With another stop in Ohio, and another night in the pool, we finally arrived home on Monday August 17th....Oshkosh was awesome, but only part of the journey. There will be yet another camporee in 2014 and we were invited by Elder Ron Whitehead (the Camporee coordinator) to come back...actually He said "Pathfinders I will see you in Oshkosh in 2014, or in Heaven - whichever comes first". Imagine being part of the biggest Camporee ever...the one that will be around the Throne of God...