Texas Camporee is the highlight of the year for many Pathfinders, a time to test skills learned and see friends from other clubs. With quite a few SAIL Pathfinders, and even one staff member, experiencing camporee for the very first time, spirits were high as we headed to Lake Whitney Ranch on Easter weekend.
The theme was “Risen” and the focus of the weekend was on the final hours of Christ’s life, death and resurrection, thus every event and message pointed minds to Him.
For several months before camporee the Pathfinders spent time studying the Old Testament Sanctuary, learning how it was constructed and the symbolism of each piece. Then, to complete the requirements for one of the events, a scale model was made. All the hard work was rewarded with an almost perfect score! More importantly, many young minds were taught the significance of the sacrifice made for their salvation.
Each message was given in front of a live re-enactment of the significant events of that most important week. The Last Supper, the night in Gesthemane, and the trial of Jesus were all portrayed. On Sunday, everyone rose early in the damp cold and headed to the main tent for the final message of the weekend. At sunrise, (though we couldn’t see it for the stormy skies), Pastor Gary Blanchard delivered a message of hope, Jesus IS Risen! As we watched the re-enactment of Jesus coming forth from the tomb we were challenged to live like Jesus is truly alive; to KNOW we have victory, so we shouldn’t live in a way that suggests doubt or worry. And if we know we have victory, we should be bold in our actions as Servants of God and Friends to Man. We should not be afraid of mission work, of service, of evangelism, or of outreach.
With everything wet and everyone cold, the decision was made to pack up camp and skip breakfast, opting for a warm meal on the way home. Because of all the mud, no vehicles were allowed into the campgrounds. This meant all camping gear had to be carried out to our waiting vehicles in the parking area. Though others were angry about having to do this, SAIL Pathfinders cheerfully pitched in and had it all done in no time. (Maybe that’s because we’d practiced for this at the Peckham Ranch…….)
The theme was “Risen” and the focus of the weekend was on the final hours of Christ’s life, death and resurrection, thus every event and message pointed minds to Him.
For several months before camporee the Pathfinders spent time studying the Old Testament Sanctuary, learning how it was constructed and the symbolism of each piece. Then, to complete the requirements for one of the events, a scale model was made. All the hard work was rewarded with an almost perfect score! More importantly, many young minds were taught the significance of the sacrifice made for their salvation.
Each message was given in front of a live re-enactment of the significant events of that most important week. The Last Supper, the night in Gesthemane, and the trial of Jesus were all portrayed. On Sunday, everyone rose early in the damp cold and headed to the main tent for the final message of the weekend. At sunrise, (though we couldn’t see it for the stormy skies), Pastor Gary Blanchard delivered a message of hope, Jesus IS Risen! As we watched the re-enactment of Jesus coming forth from the tomb we were challenged to live like Jesus is truly alive; to KNOW we have victory, so we shouldn’t live in a way that suggests doubt or worry. And if we know we have victory, we should be bold in our actions as Servants of God and Friends to Man. We should not be afraid of mission work, of service, of evangelism, or of outreach.
With everything wet and everyone cold, the decision was made to pack up camp and skip breakfast, opting for a warm meal on the way home. Because of all the mud, no vehicles were allowed into the campgrounds. This meant all camping gear had to be carried out to our waiting vehicles in the parking area. Though others were angry about having to do this, SAIL Pathfinders cheerfully pitched in and had it all done in no time. (Maybe that’s because we’d practiced for this at the Peckham Ranch…….)
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