Pathfinders: The Past, The Present and The Future
by Charlie Thompson – Indiana Conference Youth Director
Over the years, Pathfinders has played a big part in my life. As a pastor’s kid, growing up, I had the opportunity to be involved with several Pathfinder clubs. I have very fond memories of camping, including several Oregon camporees. I was impressed with all the pathfinders in uniform and the opportunity to see our conference youth Director, Gary Wisby.
I also have fond memories of learning the fine are of marching. Learning right from left was a real experience! When I continued to do a column left when the command was given for a column right, our instructor, a retired marine, had me run around the gym holding up my left and then right hand yelling this is my right hand, this is my left hand. Everyone had a great laugh as well as myself.
I also had the chance to build (with a lot of help from my dad!) a pinewood derby car that I eventually raced at the Oregon Pathfinder fair. I still have the car, which is a treasured procession. This last spring, It was raced again at our Indiana Conference Spring Pathfinder Fair. It’s still as slow as ever, but I am proud to say it made it to the end of the track!
It has been my privilege to support Pathfinder clubs in the Wichita South SDA Church in Wichita KS and the Chadron SDA Church in Chadron NE as a Pastor. I never missed a campout and loved to help any way I could at each meeting and activity.
It has been an honor to be a part of every NAD/International Camporee since Camp Hale in CO. What an amazing opportunity to witness pathfinders from all over the US and the world gather to praise God and celebrate pathfinders!
As a Youth director, I have worked in both the KS/NE Conference and the Indiana Conference. I have been privileged to work with strong pathfinder Counsels in both conferences. I have learned much about Pathfinder leadership from Chuck and Donna Hill (now living in the OK Conference and still involved in Pathfinders!) and Dean Whitlow, a pioneer in the Indiana Pathfinder organization. Over the years, I have seen countless local leaders sacrifice their time and yes, even their own finances to keep pathfinders strong.
The AYM Museum will be a place where the great Pathfinder heritage will be shared with those who are currently Pathfinders and will inspire them to continue that heritage in the future.
Pathfinders continue to meet the needs of young people today. I know that God has a plan to use the Pathfinder organization to prepare youth to meet Jesus when he comes and to be leaders in our local and world churches. It is an honor to be affiliated with Pathfinders!
