Pathfinders (Seventh-day Adventist)

The Pathfinder Club, or simply Pathfinders, is a department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA), which works specifically with the cultural, social and religious education of children and teens. Boys and Girls 10 years and up are members of the club all over the world.[1][2][3]

Pathfinder Club

Pathfinder Emblem
Motto	The Love Of Christ Compels Me
Formation	1950
Type	Adventist youth organization
Key people	Andrés J. Peralta
Website	Pathfinder Site: clubministries.org

Though similar in many respects to Scouting,[4] Pathfinders have a stronger Spiritual emphasis on all their activities.[5][6] the Pathfinder Club has been an official component of the Seventh-Day Adventist church's youth ministry since 1950. Currently, the program is overseen globally by Dominican director Andrés J. Peralta.[7]

An estimated 38% of Adventist youth aged 18 and under "Are members of Pathfinders or a similar church-sponsored youth group", according to a 2002 worldwide survey of local church leaders.[8]

History

The first step towards the organization of the Pathfinders Club within the Adventist Church in 1907 when the Department of Youth Missionary Volunteer ( Volunteer Missionary Society ) was established under the leadership of Pastor M.E. Kern.[9]

Pr. Samuthram in 1958, founder of the "Society of Missionary Volunteers" in Malaysia.

In 1909 are the first organized societies Missionary Volunteer Youth (MVY), and in 1914 developed the first lessons to be MVJ's, that would be the precursor of the progressive classes Pathfinder.[9]

In 1911 the nascent form of the Pathfinder club was founded in Takoma Park, Maryland. Three clubs were formed in Takoma Park in 1911, they were: "Scouts Missions", "Woodland Clan & Pals" and "Takoma Indians". Were characterized by only accepting registration for boys.[10] In 1919 Arthur Spalding founded the club "Scouts Missionaries", in Madison County, Tennessee. Spalding studied the organization, made compatible with the spiritual goals of the Adventist Church (a feature that was not initially adopted by clubs from Takoma Park), rules and created the outline of the movement. The "Scouts Missionaries" developed the fundamental ideals for the current club of pathfinders.[10]

In 1929 for the first time the name "pathfinder" was used on a schedule of juvenile SDA activities. The Association of Southern California promotes a camp for Youth Missionary Volunteers, and entitles the camp "Pathfinder". The same Association (Southern California) in 1946 unilaterally formalizes and sponsors the program, with its first prototype recognized club being tested in Riverside, California.[10]

Alongside the experience in California, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in 1950, formalizes a program the club, and adopts a uniform, a hymn (composed in 1947 by Henry Bergh) and a flag (made by Helen Hobbs in 1948) for the official new department. The name was adopted for the program "Youth Club - Missionary Volunteer".[10]

Between 9–11 October 1953, the Southern Association of New England promoted the first Pathfinder Camporee in Ashburnham, Massachusetts. Since then camporees has been the main camp and form of interaction between Pathfinder clubs worldwide.[11]

Since the formalization of the movement as the SDA program, it has undergone some upgrades, the most significant being:

• (1958) Development of progressive classes;
• (1959) Development of physical classes (gold and silver medals);
• (1976) Addition of honor "Master Awards" to the curriculum of the club;
• (1982) The global emblem Missionary Volunteer is replaced by the Pathfinder world emblem, and the name Missionary Volunteer falls into disuse;
• (1988) a major overhaul of the Pathfinder curriculum to modernize the teaching methods.

In 2001 it was recorded that there were over 2 million pathfinders in the world, and 90.000 clubs in over 150 countries.[12]

Philosophy and objectives

The Pathfinder Club is centered in the "physical-mental-spiritual tripod",[13] which develops activities to meet the needs and interests of children and adolescents between 10 and 15 years old, with a specific focus on this age group religious program.[14]

Much of the Pathfinder Club program is built around physical activities. According to the Pathfinder club manual, the focus on it is explained because "young people between 10 and 15 years old are at a stage of growth and very rapid physical development.".[15] According to the philosophy of the club activities involving action, adventure, challenge and group activities "provide opportunities for the development of new attitudes and skills that produce personal growth, team and community spirit," which yet according to philosophy of the program, part of the tripod of "citizenship and loyalty" that preaches respect for "God, His creation, and His church."[16]

While the Pathfinder Club exists primarily for the youth, one of its primary purposes is to also meet parents and church members through an active involvement with the club.[17] The purpose of this involvement is correct (or suppress) the gap between generations approaching youth and adults to work and have fun together in a bond of common experience.[15]

The whole philosophy Pathfinder is built on the premise that "juveniles and children learn best by example, instead of the precepts."[18] The way they see the leaders and parental values is used as a spiritual and social role model.[15] With this is expected to develop high moral principles, attitudes of love, care and determination, these startling in all the activities. The educational philosophy of the club, also emphasized that youth learn more effectively in a positive, happy and secure atmosphere. According to the General Conference of SDA, "the attitude of the leaders of the club is therefore vital to ensure the success and effectiveness of this ministry for youth ingredient, because it will be one of the main models to be followed by juveniles."[19]

Leadership role

Pathfinder Club Scarf

The leadership role is to "help young people understand and love God and to watch over the church and the next."[19] According to the Manual of the Pathfinder club, the goals and duties of the leadership of the club are:[15][20]

• "Encourage Pathfinders to discover their God-given potential and use their gifts and skills to meet the expectations of the plan of salvation";
• "Inspire them to give personal expression of their love for God, uniting with other youth in various extension activities";
• "Becoming number one priority club program the personal salvation of every Pathfinder";
• "Building on the groundbreaking appreciation for a healthy life (enjoy outdoor activities) and cultivate in them a love for God's creation";
• "Teach the groundbreaking immersive and interactive skills in order to make the time and talents of the most significant youth";
• He should "encourage the Pathfinder to keep physically fit, and teaches them to take care of your body and establish habits that will give your health benefits";[21]
• "Provide opportunities for development of leadership by encouraging club members working together and sharing the responsibilities of leadership.";
• "And aim to promote the harmonious development of pathfinder, taking care of all necessary aspects, be they physical, social, intellectual and spiritual."

Organization

Each Pathfinder club is run by a director of the club, deputy directors, counselors, instructors, chaplain, secretary and treasurer. The administrative offices of the club require that trained people are occupying the function. The General Conference Youth Department instructs that preferably leaders be invested - 18 years old, who have completed the "Class Leader" - or at least they are fulfilling the requirements of the Class Leader.[22]

The club is divided into separate units, classified by sex and age. Each unit has an average of six or eight pathfinders, accompanied by a counselor, who is their leader.[23] The unit functions as a cell of the club, or "micro-club" because it also develops an administrative organization chart with a captain and a secretary, and develops practical and theoretical activities through interaction among its members.[23]

Clubs are also organized into "regions", which act as groups of geographically close local clubs.[24] Regions usually have the authority to develop longer term activities (e.g. camporees), demanding more effort and planning, also supporting the clubs through the "regional team". The region is coordinated by a regional coordinator, usually an invested leader.[24]

On a broader scope is the local coordination of Pathfinder fields (missions, associations, unions and divisions), which, as well as regional, has the mandate to coordinate activities that require more planning,[24] besides answering to the General Conference for all activities and work done in a geographic region.[22]

Activities developed

The Adventistspejderne at a Camporee in 2006. The Adventistspejderne are the Danish Pathfinders.

Various activities are carried out in the club program, and subdivided according to the educational tripod club, focusing on the physical, mental and spiritual.[25]

Physical health

As part of the official program, physical activity is valued, per the philosophy of the club stating that "juveniles (between 10 and 15 years) are at a stage of growth and very rapid physical development." Various activities such as hiking, jungle trails, cycling, mountaineering, among others, have highlighted the activities of the department.[25]

Activities inside and outside of the regular meeting of the club focus on the physical. Develop up games, recreational activities and games that encourage exercise.[23] Even traditional activities of the regular meeting, as the united order, cherish the physical aspect, combined with the mental development.

Physical activities are in essence (within the official philosophy), entertain and attract children and adolescents, and allow it to jointly develop their mental and spiritual aspect.[23]

Mental framework

As part of mental development is encouraged youth to study and develop classes and specialties, which are analogous to series and school subjects.

Although also understand the physical and spiritual aspects, classes and specialties bring a greater benefit to the mental explorer context, providing a larger learning about various subjects.[22]

Spiritual realm

Although the physical part requires considerable time within the activities, spiritual development is the main focus of the club. The main objective is to bring the youth to have a "constant daily experience with God", making him reflect on "His creation and His care for him."[25][26]

In spiritual matters, it carries out various activities to engage youth. Stand out missionary work, Bible studies and volunteer work.[25][27]

One example activity that strengthens both the spiritual and mental realms is known as the Pathfinder Bible Experience. This is a friendly competition that encourages youth to study and memorize entire books of the Bible.[28]

Christian citizenship

Within the spiritual realm there is the notion of Christian citizenship in Pathfinder club. This is an integral part of working with youth, and establishes the concepts (or second tripod) of "citizenship and loyalty" which are three: to serve God, the homeland, and others. The social work of the entire department is guided by this concept.[27]

Classes and specialties

Regular classes are activities that cover various topics, always considering the educational philosophy of the club. Classes resemble academic degrees, as is recommended to be developed within one year in accordance with the correct age for each class.[25] Jointly develop the advanced classes, which contains more elaborate requirements, and usually with some degree of difficulty with regular classes. There are twelve existing classes for youth:[24]

Standard classes		Advanced classes	Minimum grade/age	Class color
Friend		Trail Friend	5th grade/Age 10/11	Blue
Companion		Trail Companion	6th Grade/Age 11/12	Red
Explorer		Wilderness Explorer	7th Grade/Age 12/13	Green
Ranger		Wilderness Ranger	8th Grade/Age 13/14	Silver
Voyager		Frontier Voyager	9th Grade/Age 14/15	Burgundy
Guide		Frontier Guide	10th Grade/Age 15/16	Gold
Teen Leadership Training		No Advanced Class	Teenage Years 13+	No Color
Master Guide		Frontier Guide	After 4 Years of TLT	Gold

Classes leader and physical merits

Upon completing 16 years the Pathfinder has the possibility to choose to stay at the club and compose the picture of leadership. If this is the choice of young, he/she will answer the leading classes, which are three: Leader, Master Guide and Master Guide Senior.[15] These classes have the task of preparing and empowering the youth who will compose the frames of leadership, giving all necessary instructions in this regard.[20][25]

There are still classes of physical substance, which are as follows: Silver Medal, and Gold Medal. They are characterized by strongly encouraging the physical and athletic development of adolescents and youth who are in the leadership cadres of the Pathfinder club, the Adventurers Club and Youth Club.[20]

Specialties and masters

The specials are theoretical and practical activities focused on certain specific theme, like intensive courses. Your goal is to take the Pathfinder assimilate new knowledge from areas related to nutrition and health, to recreational areas so that empower and train to handle many different situations.[27] In his philosophy, the specials are also thought to help in the spiritual and moral development.[24]

The masters are groupings of related specialties that developed, give the explorer, through the merits of the club system, the possibility of this being awarded the merit of knowing a particular area of knowledge.[25]

See also

• Medical Cadet Corps
• Adventurers
• Royal Rangers
• Trail Life USA
• Awana

References

1. Pathfinder Club Structure & Organization
2. Administrador recebe apoio dos Desbravadores Archived 19 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine - Portal Núcleo Bandeirante do Governo do Distrito Federal
3. Quarenta crianças do Clube dos Desbravadores recebem informações do Doador do Futuro - Agência Sergipe de Notícias
4. Clube de Desbravadores realiza caminhada de 13 km Archived 18 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine - O Popular do Paraná
5. 'Escoteiros’ da cidadania Archived 29 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine - São Gonçalo Online
6. Faculdade promove campanha de doação de sangue - Jornal Bahia Online
7. "Adventist Church Appoints Director for Junior Youth, Pathfinders". Adventist Review Online. 29 January 2018. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
8. "Three Strategic Issues: A World Survey Archived 2 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine". General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 2002. See question 63
9. História Desbravadores – Cronologia Archived 20 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Clube Águia Real
10. História dos Desbravadores - Universo Desbravador
11. História Desbravadores – Camporis Archived 19 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. by: Clube Águia Real
12. Programa de Extensão da UNIFAL-MG promove Solenidade de Investidura dos participantes do Clube de Desbravadores - Federal University of Alfenas (Unifal)
13. Tribuna Archived 26 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine - Câmara municipal de Venda Nova do Imigrante
14. Desbravadores um ensinamento para a vida espiritual, física e mental. Archived in Archive Today - O Cabano
15. Manual do Clube de Desbravadores - Universo Desbravador
16. Світогляд – Філософія – Релігія. Ukrainian Academy of Banking
17. Uma visão dos pais quanto ao rendimento de escolares do ensino fundamental participantes de atividades extra-escolares - EF Desportes
18. Filosofia - 2ª Coordenação de Desbravadores da AAmO
19. General Conference Youth Department. Church Heritage Manual. 2002
20. Pathfinder Leadership Award Archived 21 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine - General Conference Youth Department
21. WHITE, Ellen. Educação. Casa Publicadora Brasileira, Tatuí-SP. Pg 195, 536 e 537. ISBN 8534505527
22. VICENTE, Ana Cláudia S. D.. A Introdução do Escutismo em Portugal - Veritati - Repositório Institucional - Universidade Católica Portuguesa
23. DOS SANTOS, Sérgio Pereira. "Podemos Entrar" ou "Vamos Entrar?": As Relações Entre Programa Escola Aberta e Instituições Religiosas - PPGE Federal University of Espírito Santo
24. GRAMUNT, Alejandro R. D. B. Na trilha da aventura: o que todo desbravador tem que saber. Maringá; Caniatti e Marchezan. 2001
25. OLIVER, Willie.; HUMPHREY, Patricia. We Are the Pathfinders Strong. Review and Herald Pub Assoc.
26. WHITE, Ellen. Conselho aos Pais Professores e Estudantes. Casa Publicadora Brasileira
27. BARREIROS, Dayse Kelly Práticas de Ensino e Aprendizagem: Uma Experiência Para Além dos Muros da Escola Archived 18 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine - CEPED - IV EDIPE – Encontro Estadual de Didática e Prática de Ensino ‐ 2011
28. Pathfinder Bible Experience - Pathfinders Online

External links