Category: Hiking

Dinosaur Valley Trip

1/29/2015

Anticipation was running high as we finally arrived at the Dinosaur Valley State Park on Sabbath Jan. 24. The sun was shining after days of rain and it was crisp & beautiful. After a picnic lunch, we met up with the Joshua Crossroads Wranglers Pathfinders and hiked down to see the famous dinosaur prints in the riverbed. They were mostly underwater, but it was clear enough that we could see the evidence of those huge creatures that had walked there so long ago! Central Texas Area Coordinator Mr. Rodger Baker guided our way with lots of wonderful information. He even braved the freezing water to compare his footprints with a dinosaur’s footprint! It was a very enjoyable hike and we learned a lot!

The leaders and Pathfinders of the Joshua Wrangler’s Club were warm and friendly hosts. We enjoyed getting to know them as we hiked. After a group picture, to commemorate the event, we loaded up and headed to the church where we participated in some lively songs and worship. After supper we learned more about dinosaurs by doing some great works of art in teams. (Did you know a T-Rex could look like a teddy bear?)

All good things must come to an end, and so did our wonderful day together. Everyone found their rooms and rolled out their sleeping bags. Lights went out and the girls giggled themselves to sleep while the boys enjoyed a friendly pillow fight before settling down. We thoroughly enjoyed making these new friends!

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SAIL Spring Campout - Pedernales Falls State Park

2/25/2014

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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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Induction and New Pathfinder/Junior Unit Overnight

9/2/2013

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Sabbath, August 31 was a special Sabbath program, led by the youth, and hosting both the Austin Anchors Adventurer and SAIL Pathfinder club investiture programs. The theme of the service came from 1 Samuel 17, the story of David and Goliath. Both Saul and Goliath thought David was incapable of the great task before him, because he was only a youth. But David’s trust in God, built up over years of spending time with God, gave him the confidence and strength to overcome. But the story is more than just one about the ability of youth to be strong in the Lord, it also highlights the role each of us has, as adults or youth, to provide encouragement (David’s brother, afraid himself, tried to discourage David’s actions, as did Saul, who tried to place on David his armor, understanding only the traditions he was used to, not the full power that God delivers, nor the willingness to try different approaches to traditional problems). David stood strong for God, for himself, but also for the people, never criticizing the rest of the Israelite army for failing to face up to Goliath, but rather simply taking the task upon himself.

After the induction service, we held our annual new Pathfinder and Junior Unit overnight. The focus for the weekend was waterfalls, building off of our broader theme this year of water. We visited several of the waterfalls along Bull Creek, and although they were nearly dry, in that they offered us an opportunity to see some of the features of waterfalls usually hidden behind the veil of flowing water. We also had a chance to observe some of God’s creation, in the delicate beauty of the dragonflies and damselflies, in the songs of the birds overhead, in the skittering of the Texas Spiny Lizard, and in the mighty Sycamores that draw their waters from beneath the nearly dry stream bed. We also found a Blotched Water Snake, although he was sadly dead. And there were many tiny frogs hopping all around - a reminder that even in the drought, life continues to spring forth.

In the evening, we continued our study of waterfalls, watching some of the amazing creatures around the Iguazu Falls on the Brazil-Argentina border. The Pathfinders learned a tasty lesson about stratigraphy, and the hard and soft layers of stone that allow for waterfall formation, making edible “rock” layers. We also made word searches and crossword puzzles about major waterfalls around the world, learned about the many different types of waterfalls, and discussed some of the spiritual lessons the Bible provides using water as a motif. The Pathfinders also made dinner, our SAIL Club signature Pizza Tacos, and learned the proper way to set up and maintain tents for camping.

In the morning, the Pathfinders made a large breakfast, with pancakes, eggs, potatoes and fruit, broke “camp,” and spent some time learning and practicing marching. They also made posters illustrating the Pathfinder Pledge and Law, and learned and practiced basic sewing skills by sewing on the Waterfall patch that they earned over the weekend. Finally, we practiced building various edible campfires - with pretzels and queso instead of sticks and sparks. Despite the heat outside, it was a wonderful weekend, a time to make new friends, get reacquainted with old friends, and spend time with God in fellowship and in nature.

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Dinosaur Valley Trip

SAIL Spring Campout - Pedernales Falls State Park

Induction and New Pathfinder/Junior Unit Overnight

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