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The Adventist Education Department of Negros Occidental Conference held its Pathfinder Camporee at Negros Occidental Conference Evangelism Center on October 21-26, 2024.

Under the theme "Jesus Camps with You," the event was attended by over 1000 campers from 19 schools across NOC, under the leadership of Master Guide Jerelyn Orquesta, the NOC education director and camp director.

MG Orquesta and Pastor Jophone Galanza, the NOC president and a master guide serving as administrative camp director, officially declared the camporee open.

Opening night featured a torch parade and the "Entry of the Contingent." It wasn't just a parade but a moving spectacle of fire and shadows, accentuated by a marching band, signifying the start of something special.

Further highlighting the event was the presence of directors from the Central Philippine Union Conference, who also served as keynote speakers. They were Lemuel Banday, M.Ed., education director, and Pastor Vohn John Sanchez, the Youth Ministries/AMiCUS/National Serving Organization director.

MG Orquesta said in an interview that the purpose of this camporee was to foster spiritual growth and camaraderie.

"Despite the weather conditions due to the typhoon, this camporee was a remarkable event that succeeded in achieving goals of spiritual enhancement, skills development, and team building," MG Orquesta said.

Each day, the event started with a morning devotional, and the event facilitators gave the campers tasks to accomplish. These tasks aim to develop leadership skills through team-building activities such as completing Pathfinder Honors.

These Pathfinder Honors included Gift Wrapping, Paper Quiling, Pizza Making, Bubbles, Heart and Circulation, Abseiling, Tie-Dye, Paper Mache, Mat Making, Microscopic Life, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, Blood and Body Defenses, and Christian team building.

The following tasks also aimed to develop their gifts as pathfinders through involvement in the Pathfinder Ministry.

During the event, the onset of a typhoon did not deter the numerous activities given to them. The campers maintained positive attitudes, especially in attending the nightly worship. They even enthusiastically participated in the cultural night presentations and marching showdown, understanding that God's promises endure even through the storms of life, being able to relate the brewing typhoon to the figurative storms in real life.

The Sabbath School program featured the "Story of the Queen of Persia," a visual reminder that every cloud has a silver lining.

On the other hand, MG Banday inspired the campers with his divine service message, saying, "We are just campers here on earth."

"To ensure that Jesus will always camp with you, you should have a close relationship with God. Such relationships can be shown by seeking Him, rejecting sin, and being humble and not proud," MG Banday emphasized.

During the afternoon program for the Master Guide Investiture Ceremony, he also reminded the master guides about their calling, pointing out that such calling requires a "heart for others." This means a master guide is willing to invest time, energy, and love to help others.

"Your challenge as you embark is to ask God to open your heart for the needs of those around you and empowerment of the Holy Spirit," MG Banday added.

Nine teachers from different schools were invested as new master guides.

Master Guide Galanza inspired the campers with his commitment message. He said, "Camp like Israel in the old days—with endurance. Jesus will help you overcome problems, and you will win victories if you always camp with Jesus."

The camporee culminated in the baptism of 49 Pathfinder campers and one from the volunteer guard.

Master Guide Orquesta, overwhelmed by this immense accomplishment that God has granted them, also acknowledged all those who supported and contributed to the success of this camporee.

By Stephanie V. Loriezo, Hope Channel Bacolod

The original version of this article is posted on the official page of the Negros Occidental Conference.