The two units camped separately, the Senior Unit backpacking the 2.5 miles to the primitive camping area and the Junior unit setting up at base camp. Over the weekend, the activities varied. Both units spent time hiking, watching birds and visiting the falls. The Junior Unit also took a night hike, and practiced setting up and following trail markers, while the Senior Unit practiced camp cooking and basic land navigation with a compass.
The SAIL Pathfinders held their Spring campout this past weekend at Pedernales Falls State Park. After so many unusual freezing nights here in Central Texas, the weather turned out perfect for the weekend, giving us a chance to truly appreciate the joys of nature, to fellowship together, and to encounter God in the great outdoors. The two units camped separately, the Senior Unit backpacking the 2.5 miles to the primitive camping area and the Junior unit setting up at base camp. Over the weekend, the activities varied. Both units spent time hiking, watching birds and visiting the falls. The Junior Unit also took a night hike, and practiced setting up and following trail markers, while the Senior Unit practiced camp cooking and basic land navigation with a compass. On Sabbath morning, the Senior Unit hiked down out of their hilltop campsite to meet the Junior Unit on the gravel bar in the river for our morning service. The focus, as it has been all year, was water - looking at Peter and his actions in the story of the miraculous catch (John 21) and Jesus washing the disciples’ feet (John 13). Through this we discussed forgiveness, cleansing and the spirit of servitude. As part of this lesson, we washed one another’s feet right there in the river. It is not a glamorous thing to do, particularly with feet dirty from hiking, but it is a very concrete reminder of our need to be servant leaders, to fulfill the Pathfinder Pledge by being servants of God and friends to man.
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The SAIL Pathfinders hosted the 2014 Austin Chiliad this weekend. The vegetarian chili cook-off has been held almost every year for two decades, and attracts participants and eager tasters from around Austin (and beyond). This year, in addition to the three categories of Chili (hot, medium/mild, and children's), and the cornbread competition, we added what proved a very popular category of brownies. There were 17 different kinds of chili entered this year, and we had a record turn out for tasters. After a vespers program, we kicked off the Chiliad with the official Chiliad flame (a backpacking stove), and started the tasting. It was a great evening of food and fellowship, and the funds when toward the SAIL Pathfinders' fundraising efforts to provide transportation to the 2014 International Pathfinder Camporee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The SAILs sent two teams to the 2014 Pathfinder Bible Experience area event in San Antonio this past weekend. More than 20 teams participated this year from around Central Texas, assessing their knowledge of the book of II Samuel. One of our teams came in with a third place finish, the other recognized for participation. Although neither of our teams will move on to the Texas Conference level event, we are already beginning to prepare for next year, when we will be reviewing the book of Matthew. This weekend we will host the 2014 Austin Chiliad, the Olympiad of Vegetarian Chili. The pre-competition vespers program begins at 6:00PM Sabbath, followed by an evening of good-natured competition, flaming hot chili, and soothing corn bread and brownies. Funds raised will assist the SAIL Pathfinders attend the 2014 International Pathfinder Camporee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin this summer. |
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