International Camporees
Pathfinders is a worldwide youth organization and once every five years, an "international" camporee brings together Pathfinders from around the world for five days of fun and excitement. Pathfinders have the opportunities to participate in a variety of activities, earn honor pathches, and help out with community service projects.
Camp Hale, Colorado -- 1985.
The first international Pathfinder camporee was held on Camp Hale, Colorado in August, 1985. About 16,100 Pathfinders attended this event. The theme song, We Are His Hands, is still sung by many Pathfinder staff members who remember singing it for the first time in Colorado.
Friendship Camporee, Pennsylvania -- 1989.
The second international Pathfinder camporee was held in Mt. Union, Pennsylvania in 1989. Billed as an "international" camporee, it was actually sponsored by the Columbia Union, and about 12,000 people attended from 509 clubs. The theme song was We Are His Colors.
Dare to Care Camporee, Denver, Colorado -- 1994.
The Dare to Care camporee was near Denver, Colorado in August 1994. About 12,200 Pathfinders from 23 different countries attended. The camporee faced unique challenges. The camporee was originally scheduled to be held on a private farm, but just months before the camporee, the incident in Waco, Texas, captured the nation's interest and David Koresh's movement was mistakenly linked to the Seventh-day Adventist church. The farm owner rescinded his offer to use his property, leaving organizers scrambling to find another suitable location. The Pathfinders ended up camping at Bandimere Speedway, a commercial drag-racing track in Morrison, Colorado. Pathfinders were bussed to the Red Rocks Amphitheater each evening for the program. (Organizers found 23 rattlesnakes on the premises before Pathfinders arrived.)
Discover the Power Camporee, Oshkosh, Wisconsin -- 1999.
The Discover the Power camporee was held at the Experimental Aircraft Association property in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. More than 21,000 people from 53 countries attended and more than 150 were baptized. God's portective hand was over this camporee and was demonstrated when a major storm threatened, then miraculously split and went around the campground.
Faith on Fire Camporee, Oshkosh, Wisconsin -- 2004.
Faith on Fire was the second international camporee to be held at the EAA grounds in Oskosh. Nicknamed "The Winter Camporee" because the first four days saw record-breaking low temperatures, this camporee recorded an attendance of more than 31,000 people from 83 countries. There were 296 baptisms. About 10,000 people participated in community service projects in the surrounding area during the camporee and one highlight of the camporee was the dramatized presentation of the Biblical story of Joseph, presented in five segments during the evening meeting each night of the camporee.
Courage to Stand Camporee, Oshkosh, Wisconsin -- 2009.
Pathfinders returned to the EAA property for a third time in 2009 for the Courage to Stand camporee. About 36,000 Pathfinders from more 100 countries attended and 518 were baptized. Thousands of Pathfinders -- including the Kingsport Warriors -- donated half a day or more to community service projects in the surrounding area. The evening meetings highlighted the dramatized story of Esther and her Courage to Stand. For pictures from this camporee, click here.
And still to come ...
Forever Faithful Camporee, Oshkosh, Wisconsin -- 2014.
The Forever Faithful camporee, highlighting the story of Daniel, is set for Oshkosh in 2014 -- or in heaven, whichever comes first!