Hang in there! Praying for you and your Pathfinder families!! I can totally relate to the struggles of being a Pathfinder Director. Take time off and take care of yourself. God bless!!

Satan was working overtime and wanted to discourage all those involved. He knows how important the work is that you do with the young people. He knows how important the young people are. God bless you for all the work you and others do with the young people.

I feel you!!! Camporee is spiritual warfare for the staff and especially heavy is the director’s burden! I was the director for Chosen camporee and came back physically and spiritually exhausted. It took everything I had and then some. I decided not to start club up again until October, and it gave me barely enough time to regain strength. Take it easy this year, start late, maybe lighten your calendar, and hit hard on the spiritual stuff of pathfindering. Push the Devil back in his corner and call in God for someone to come along and hold up your arms. You will be in my prayers and if you want somebody who has been there to pray with you or just listen, DM me.

I was not at camporee but from the onset , I could see the work of the enemy. Some community people did not approve of the camporee in their community. Then the storm amongst other incidents. The devil was in over drive But GOD !!!! Keep courage my sister, the youth need you.

Our little club of I think six raised $10,000. We had them for church telling their experiences this morning. Wow...and now it's over.

In regards to disciplining the kids; we had parents come with their kids in my club. If there was any disciplining to be done the parents did it. On any future trips I would require at least one parent/grandparent comes with the Pathfinder child. Pathfinder leaders aren't babysitters.

Pathfinder leaders are called by God! You are no exception.

If you love Mt. Rushmore in and because of National Treasure, you should see Alfred Hitchcock's film North By Northwest.

I'm sorry to hear you had such a challenging experience. This was my 6th international camporee, 3rd as a club director, and I can tell you that Club Director is the focal point, not only for all of the effort to make a club run, but also all the responsibility. It's not a job for the faint of heart. While BTP had it's challenges for sure, 2009 was when I had a camporee experience similar to yours. That camporee happened in spite of me, not because of me, but it showed me that God is the one who gets us through these things. Focus on the things you can see God's hand in. Oh, and the dino dig was the highlight of my trip too.

Thank you for sharing this. I've been a pathfinder since '85 and this is my first international camporee. Upon return to our home church with the first Sabbath back, the Sabbath School Superintendent gave the opening remarks and said she was considering quitting her role as she was so stressed and tired from all that life has placed in front of her. We chatted for a bit. I've encountered some situations too about stepping down from my church office role (AV Team Lead) as well as my wife (treasurer). But through it all, we have a great team around us to help share the work load. It is our urban ministry. Also that Sabbath I got into a conversation about how the pathfinder club had little faith and broke down camp on Sabbath. There were some other comments too from other church members and friends. I DO BELIEVE THE PROMISE but also will heed the warnings and our pathfinder leadership on the choices they made. We had our boots on the ground during the storm. Some clubs/campsites had massive damage from the wind and rain. There was a lightning strike at a club just a couple hundred yards away. And it was forecasted that this next storm was to bring hail from pea size to golf ball size. Again, thank you for sharing. Prayers up!!!

Wow is all I can say! Stay on your knees and keep praying for an answer from the Lord. Please don’t let One family decide this major life decision for you! The enemy is in the middle of all of this! I heard you take responsibility for your actions, but no where in your talk did I hear accountability for the child’s actions. You weren’t the one misbehaving. What I suggest if you do decide to stay on as director is that child parent(s) needs to volunteer for All meetings and trips, because I am assuming that his/her behavior has not been addressed by the parents. This should Not be negotiable! God bless your efforts and praise God you made it back safely!

I’m praying fervently for you! God is your strength and your refuge. Satan had his hands all up in camporee and always after. He wants to make a mockery of everything God is doing. Keep holding on! Together, with God and each other, we will rise again after rest. Huge hugs!!

Praying for you. I hear all the struggles, and also all the good. Sounds like while you had all the stress the kids mostly had a good time? And y'all got to do some amazing things. Give yourself grace, time to get over being sick and hindsight before making any big decisions. Love you lady!

Wow, as a past Pathfinder Director for seventeen years having worked with fhree clubs, I feel the stress you are experiencing. Nonetheless, kudos to you., you are a phenomenal director!!! Please don't throw in the towel. The youngsters in our churches need role models like you. Some parents can be very challenging, but hang in there. I agree that you all need a break. Making and executing plans for such a huge event is no easy feat. As our song says, O we are the Pathfinders strong....girl you have STRENGTH!!! God bless you!

My son and his two boys went. It was quite an experience for them. I prayed that it was a spiritual experience as well as good fellowship. No so much for the younger one.😊

Wow thank you for sharing this experience. Your story was very captivating. I like how you made the best out of every situation that is commendable. In every situation give God praise. I promise you God is building you for something even more important. You obviously are strong and he is building your muscles for more to come and he needs you to STAY strong. First take care of yourself bc you can’t keep going like this. THAT will break you. As a former Director I can tell you that. Maybe delay club for a few weeks until you have had 5 days of RESTTTT!!!!!!!!!!! Then come back. NEVER LET A DISCIPLINE SITUATION CAUSE YOU TO QUIT!!!! From what I hear you have done the best you know how and you will FOREVER have discipline situation. WHEN you have made it through this one you will be prepared for anything else. STAY strong, God is on your side and sharing your experience might bring healing to so many other club Directors God bless and be well. Hugs from everywhere. 🤗

We in California are praying for you.

I have genuine concern for woman that overwork/over-commit themselves. I did that for a long time. Usually in our 40's we wake up and ask ourselves... am I doing what actually matters? What God wants me to be doing? Or am I doing what I think I "should" be doing or what someone else told me I should be doing? Burned out, over stressed children are not what God intended for us. (Especially hard as woman that don't like others to be upset with us) I highly recommend reading the book Boundaries by Henry Cloud. I have lots of concerns about Pathfinders and if it isn't a total waste of time, money, and energy. But this probably isn't the place to express all of those thoughts. :-) I hope you take good care of your health and heart.

Just happened upon your story! I am so sorry you had to experience such a tough time. So glad Jesus brought some blessings! Praying for your healing, strengthening, and keeping you close to Jesus! I see your heart for kids and Pathfinders, I think you must be an awesome teacher! Never give up if it’s what you love. Maybe take a year off from Pathfinders. Perhaps review the experience with your team, do you need to reorganize your Pathfinders leadership and do more delegation? Don’t take all the responsibility on your own shoulders! I’m praying for you! God will use you in powerful ways with your love for kids, Pathfinders and teaching school. Give yourself time, prayer, and share the load with associates! You need someone else to share the travel reservation job for you. Forever blessings! Judy Martin, retired nurse after 50 years!

I felt like quitting when we got back as well, but the Lord showed me that the enemy is doing all he can to take us out, and I am determined that he will not win! Stand firm - I will be lifting you up in prayer. ❤

God did not do this. He loves you. Evil spirits did this. You handled this better than a lt of people. May God bless you.

Praying for you. Rest now, you don't have strength. I will there we has some challenges. But not this as bad . In the world, we will have challenges, but be of good courage. God is with you

The devil was really working hard at this camporee. We traveled with a group of about 30 people (pathfinders, parents and visitors) from Southern California ( the rest of our 64 people group met us there) and everything my husband and I (as directors) had planned didn’t come out as we wished. We had a lot of obstacles during these 2 weeks we were traveling. We had more problems with parents than we did with our Pathfinders. They complained about everything. It’s like we couldn’t do anything right. My husband was even called the devil, a child, a girl, a racist among other things by parents just because they didn’t get their way since our first priority was the Pathfinders and not them. We have been in constant prayer because we also wanted to give up but then we remember the kids and we can’t quit (my youngest son who is 16yo and went and saw and heard all this happen doesn’t want us to continue because he said why are those who call us brothers and sisters acting in this way that is not Christian like). We too have pushed back starting club for a few weeks and we pray God gives us the strength to continue for 1 more year (my husband has been working in this ministry for almost 30 years)

Adventists are not Christians. You are being abused in a demonic spiritual counterfeit.

I feel you. Big hug from a pathfinder director who also a a rough camporee and faced lots of criticism when I got back. I’m planning to continue in pathfinders so I hope you do too. I also hate not meeting people’s expectations but that’s how life goes. Let’s keep in mind that this is not a ministry to please others but to serve God and our children. I also postponed our pathfinder year to September, take your time and rest. We need pathfinder directors as dedicated as you. (I’ve been following you for several years). So take courage my friend. Our world needs leaders who will do what others won’t. People are quick to criticize and put us down, but they wouldn’t last a day in our shoes. Focus on the joy and pleasure of your kids faces. We might not see our reward now, but each pathfinder will be a little star in our crown when we get to heaven. May God continue to use us to make a difference in our kids lives. ❤

Thanks for being so vulnerable! I admire your spirit and commitment to Pathfinders. I am a youth pastor from the Illinois conference and I have been directing pathfinders at my church for the past 2 and a half years because no one would step up. The club was dead for 3 years and we revived it. We were able to take 30 kids to Gillette. I was there, half of what happened to you did not happen to me or my club and I and my staff are exhausted. My goal was to take our club to the international camporee this year. I am not stepping away from directing the club and have been working with someone to take over after me for about 8 months now. It hurts to go but God knows that my body, mind, and spirit need some rest. Pathfinders is an energy consuming ministry that does drain leaders from time to time. Listen to your body, mind, and family. Do not disregard your health. Independent of what you choose, will keep you in my prayers. Thanks for sharing your love for Pathfinders!

Praying for you and all pathfinder leaders. It is a difficult time. It was a difficult camporee and only directors understand the pressure of other directors.

Am also a director. We took 82 people plus 15 international guests. And the headaches included a storm Monday AM at 330 that you missed, and the storm you didn't. Plus a bus that could not go more than 50 mph and broke down 3 hours away from Camporee, then on the return trip took 24 hours instead of 18. And the wrong type of tent stakes as we had gotten conflicting instructions about how long they could be--and there were 35 tents plus the dining/kitchen shelter... We didn't schedule any off site activities, maybe because I was not as ambitious as you. And our 4 Master Guides didn't get invested, though they took it with good grace--will do here in IL next month at a Conference event. The fun thing though is that if you ask the kids, they don't bring up the storm or the bus first. They glow as they talk about how much they loved the event and how they want to come back in 5 years. Porta potties or not....And we had one teen decide for baptism while there and get baptized Friday night before the program (in addition to the 3 baptized Wednesday). I took 3 weeks PTO from my job to do this, and could have used another to recover. I totally feel for you, and we are all (the directors) a strange and rare breed of people who are great problem solvers and takers on of projects and ideas that nobody else wants to touch. Maybe we need to have a Director's Club where only us go camping or to activities--no kids. Hugs to you. Heidi

For some odd reason you popped up on my facebook feed. I don’t know you or your club but I’m a new/ interim director that got stuck taking our club to Gillette just me and the pastor because our staff didn’t get cleared. It was a first time for all of us and it was awful. I finished listening to your story and started scrolling through your KZfaq channel because this is the first channel I have found on pathfinders. I’ve been watching your videos all day but stopped to come and tell you this. I’ve learn so much from you today. Like I said I’m new and have no one to learn from. Thank you sooo much for sharing your pathfinder journey because so many things and ideas you’ve shared I had no idea and you are great at what you do. So what I can tell you is, please don’t quit because I’m looking forward to continue to learn from you and I’m sure many others are 😉 Stay strong for God will go before you. Exodus 33.

Hey hope this tip might help. My club director had a meeting with our kids and parents of church who planned to attend CAMPOREE in Wyoming about a year and a half ago when we were about to buy tickets and were strictly advised that parents know their child best if their child misbehaved to an extent they would be sent home either same day or following day and cost would be covered by parents and that this trip is a privilege to attend and that they know their child misbehaves a lot or does not like to listen parents should go to CAMPOREE or pay cost of their child to get back home.- This was told to us and given a month to make up our minds if we wanted to go or not but things happen and that parents should understand if they don’t feel comfortable with someone correcting their child’s behavior they are responsible for their kids. I also understand that every circumstance is different so I hope this might help a bit also parents who did not go to WY were to sign a contract with the church and club and elders and the church committee defined the rules and procedures to be outlined on contract as well. Hope it helps and I’m sorry if it sound a bit blunt but it definitely helped my club luckily we we’re all able to go and we also made the best of what we could for our kids and should always remind ourself that we do not make these efforts for the parents we do it so our kids can be touched by the lord and show them that god works in ways we can’t always see

You made the right decisions and choices with the help of God when your club ran into these situations. You handled it very well done and you can only do what you can. Get rest my friend and remember your health is important. I can’t say quit or stay but I certainly can say take your time and rest up. I see that you have a very supportive staff. The discipline that you did and how you got the Pastor and Staff involved was a great choice. I can surely say to you if nobody has not said it, you’re doing a great job!! All the resources you have on your website is very helpful to me! I will pray for you, my friend keep your head up!! “Stand Strong”. From Pathfinder Director Leo/ Florida Conference

We're praying for all of you guys!

I felt this. Thanks for sharing. We had some similar experiences. God bless you and your club and I pray every one gets well soon. Take that needed time off to refresh. 🙏🏾

Thanks for sharing and we are praying for you and your ministry to our young people. God will bless your efforts and contributions; don’t give up - former pathfinder director and area coordinator.

Thank you for sharing. ❤ sending you a huge hug

❤ 😢Audra! I hope you are recovering. Be gentle with yourself. This was a rough camporee for me as well. I also ended up sick following camporee. The devil was working hard to keep as Many of us as possible from receiving a blessing from this Camporee. I hope and pray that you recover. Please know we are rooting for you <3

The devil knows his time is short. And he is working overtime on our kids. I doubt we have any idea how important this camporee was to these children, especially with all the attacks. The devil WANTS you to give up. Those mentioned in Revelation who were saved were overcomers. They did not overcome their sins, but rather they stood firm against the attacks of the devil. God asks us to stand, to not give up. He also tells us to come apart and rest awhile. He tells us He will give us peace and rest. I would not be surprised if years from now (if time lasts) one of your kids (the one you least expected) comes to you and tells you that you changed their life. Rest, but don't give up.

Post club event sickness, depression, and heartache is so real! Most staff even dont fully understand the Director's perspective. we are not starting club till mid September because of it, and to help not burn out the staff. Maybe it's small comfort right now, but this experience will help you in the future! Remind me, was this your first Camporee? Stay Strong, Pray for guidance, we will be praying with you!

Praying for you. The Lord is your strength. People will always be people, do not let them discourage you from your passionate service to God.🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾💪💪💪

What an experience! First Pray, let God take over and lead. Second, I think that waiting to have registration in a few weeks is a good idea. It will give you a chance to recover and time to talk with God about what His will is for you concerning Pathfinders. I've heard stories from other clubs from different Unions, and it seems that the devil was working overtime. Buses broke down, flights delayed or canceled, and in every case that I heard, God over came the problem miraculously, just as he did for your club!! We serve a powerful God. Will pray for you that God will reveal His will for you. Have courage!!

The devil was definitely working overtime for this camporee... I'm so sorry you guys got targeted so hard! Sending prayers ❤

Thank you so much for sharing as you went through all the things that happened through this Carrie all I could think is yup yup yup same girl. It was a rough trip. Lots of blessings. I am praying for you. I hope you hang in there.

I feel your frustration and disappointment. Thank you for your ministry. And I thank your staff as well. Also thank you for your candid story telling. Most of your kids will soon remember even the challenges with great fondness. The struggles will stay in your memory (and all the staff) much longer. "Lord please bring peace and encouragement to Audra, her team, and all of her kids. Bless their ministry and give them courage, strength, wisdom, and patience."

Ooh. You are so hard on yourself. You did more than many for the kids. It was a tough environment. I am a director too the biggest challenge is always managing relations with parents. Just try to remember you are ministering to the kids. Lean on your pastor and Area coordinator for support. You seem to have a great team. Above all, look after yourself. Take time off for a bit if you need to.

PSS😂 this was Jesus’ camporee. His pathfinders were there for His purpose not ours, it was apparent He needed them to prepare for what is coming and in His mercy He did this in a controlled environment with the best Godly-christian support and leadership He has and those are people like you. As a parent I thank Jesus when His lessons for my girl come from Godly people than from the outside world. So THANK YOU for taking on this immensely difficult calling.

PS parents will be parents. I was far away and all I wanted was to run and “save” my daughter. However, I really felt that there were lessons she needed that were not for me to teach her and that could only come from whatever Jesus allowed her to go through. I felt peace that Jesus had every single child in His hands. That every challenge they came to was handcrafted specifically for them and they had to be uncomfortable to get the lessons. Because of my work travel last night was the first day since camporee that I physically saw my girl and she shared her story step by step much like you did, tent flooded, bathroom situation, storms, kid personalities, challenge after challenge and much like you I saw the same grace and resilience in her face. This is the most we have spoken in the longest time. (She is 14 and didn’t want to attend camporee) she came back excited about the theme reveal and I am excited with her. I watched the livestream so I could really talk about the experience with her and it’s been such a blessing. I thank every single leader because kids are not easy, although if I had to deal with 65K people I would take youth over adults ANY day. 😂 anyway God bless you, rest in Him and let Him pump you up with His energy before you jump back into life. ❤❤❤ much love

I just woke up and listened to your entire story and I empathize with you. The enemy fought this camporee in every way possible. My daughter attended and it was so obvious that he was mad and throwing wrenches into all the well laid plans. You truly did the best you could. Give yourself grace and love. Even if no one else does. Although it sounds like you have some amazingly supportive people around you like your husband. Thank you for being vulnerable. Take some rest, but don’t quit on your kids at school or your pathfinder kids. Kids are under attack and sadly because you are a soldier under God’s command you will be first in the line of fire. I will ask for an extra dose of relief and peace for you this week. You need reserves. Your demeanor and approach to everything you had to deal with is beautiful and a lesson about taking life with grace. I know I have felt just like you, with life’s demands and challenges and you’re an example on how to maneuver life. Thank you for being vulnerable. I will say that if you’re an example to me, you most definitely were an example to all your pathfinders and those are lessons that they desperately needed and will need to face the enemy who will only get more and more driven as we near the end. My daughter had challenges all week too and I was impressed by her resilience and leadership and I am GRATEFUL for her to have lived through those challenges, because I want her to know that she is a survivor. That type of empowerment doesn’t happen without the challenge to overcome and I pray and hope you will see that in all of the kids. That they will have a sense of power that they didn’t have before because of all they survived.

Thank you so much for your willingness to share such important personal experiences and feelings. As a longtime fellow pathfinder leader, I certainly feel for you and all you had to deal with. I know right now you feel weak, defeated, tired, discouraged, and burned out. I've been right where you are. I know you pushed your club's start back a couple weeks, maybe push the start of your club to the 1st week of September and start out with a light first semester to help with recovery. Your team sounds like a good group of dedicated people who stand with you. IThe beat advice I can give is don't make any rash decisions. Stay in prayer and it's okay to slow down and rest. God is always with you and by the comments so are alot of other pathfinder leaders. Together "we" are the pathfinders strong. I'm just one conference up if you need anything. Thank you for your love and commitment to pathfinders. God bless.

So sorry you went thru that! It seems like this camporee had many problems including organizational. I wouldn’t ever do camporee again after those experiences!

In your weakness Nos strength in you still stood. I'm sorry for the downs, happy there were ups and have created history.