World Pathfinder Day, Induction, Bats, and a Lake Cleanup

The SAILs had a full weekend, celebrating World Pathfinder Day, holding our Induction Service, learning about and watching bats, and taking part in cleaning up Lake Travis.

We began the weekend by hosting the church service in recognition of the 75th anniversary of the Pathfinder Program. The Pathfinders ran the full service, from song service to sermon, children's story to scripture, and everything in between. After teh service, we shared a lunch with pathfinders and their families, with a special treat of Pathfinder patch-shaped cookies (special thanks to one of the parents for making these treats!). After lunch, it was time for our Induction Service, where we welcomed two new members and two new staff to the SAIL Club, with a little help from our Central Texas Area staff.

Then it was time to study bats, including making a life-size cut out of one of the largest flying foxes to truly get a taste of the scale of these flying creatures. After dinner (cooked on the new club stoves), we headed to the Congress Avenue bridge to see the bats fly, and had a chance to see some up close as part of a display about rescued bats. In the evening we set up the (new) tents for our annual lock-in.

After an early start the next morning, it was breakfast burritos and then off to Lake Travis to take part in the annual lake cleanup, something the SAILs have been joining since their founding. There was not a lot of garbage at the park this time, which was nice to see, even though it meant we didn't need to pick up too much (though the Pathfinders did pick up several bags full of rubbish). It is always rewarding starting off the year with a service project, and it is even better when there is a real reward- another trip to Sandy's for ice cream! ​