Pathfinders (Seventh-day Adventist)

Pathfinder Camp Area: Lake Whitney Ranch, Texas

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. Children 10 years to 16 are eligible to become members of the club as students. Teens and adults older then 16 can become teachers and assistant teacher.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Administrador recebe apoio dos Desbravadores Template:Webarchive - Portal Núcleo Bandeirante do Governo do Distrito Federal</ref><ref>Quarenta crianças do Clube dos Desbravadores recebem informações do Doador do Futuro - Agência Sergipe de Notícias</ref>

Though similar in many respects to Scouting,<ref name="Bitarães">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Clube de Desbravadores realiza caminhada de 13 km Template:Webarchive - O Popular do Paraná</ref> Pathfinders have a stronger religious emphasis.<ref>'Escoteiros’ da cidadania Template:Webarchive - São Gonçalo Online</ref><ref>Faculdade promove campanha de doação de sangue - Jornal Bahia Online</ref> The Pathfinder Club has been an official component of the SDA church's youth ministry since 1950. The current director of the program is Andrés J. Peralta.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

An estimated 38% of Adventist youth under the age of 18 "Are members of Pathfinders or a similar church-sponsored youth group", according to a 2002 worldwide survey of local church leaders.<ref>"Three Strategic Issues: A World Survey Template:Webarchive". General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 2002. See question 63</ref>

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 Milton Early Kern.<ref name="Aguia Real">História Desbravadores – Cronologia Template:Webarchive. Clube Águia Real</ref>

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.<ref name="Aguia Real"/>

In 1911 the nascent form of the Pathfinder club<ref name="Reis">Template:Cite book</ref> 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". They were characterized by only accepting registration for boys.<ref name="Universo DBV">História dos Desbravadores - Universo Desbravador</ref> 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.<ref name="Universo DBV"/>

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.<ref name="Universo DBV"/>

Alongside the experience in California, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in 1950,<ref name="Bitarães"/><ref name="Reis"/> formalizes a program the club, and adopts a uniform, a flag (ade by Hellen Hobbs and Henry Theodore Bergh in 1948) and a hymn (composed in 1949 by Henry Theodore Bergh) for the official new department. The name was adopted for the program "Youth Club - Missionary Volunteer".<ref name="Universo DBV"/>

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.<ref>História Desbravadores – Camporis Template:Webarchive. by: Clube Águia Real</ref>

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;
• (2012) The second general review of the Pathfinders curriculum is carried out;

In January 2018, there were more than 1.5 million Pathfinders and 40,000 clubs, spread over more than 150 countries.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Programa de Extensão da UNIFAL-MG promove Solenidade de Investidura dos participantes do Clube de Desbravadores - Federal University of Alfenas (Unifal)</ref>

Philosophy and objectives

The Pathfinder Club is centered in the "physical-mental-spiritual tripod",<ref name="Reis"/><ref>Tribuna Template:Webarchive - Câmara municipal de Venda Nova do Imigrante</ref> which develops activities to meet the needs and interests of children and adolescents between 10 and 15 years old,<ref name="Reis"/> with a specific focus on the religious activities of this age group.<ref name="Reis"/><ref>Desbravadores um ensinamento para a vida espiritual, física e mental. Archived in Archive Today - O Cabano</ref>

Much of the Pathfinder Club program is built around physical activities.<ref name="Reis"/> According to the Pathfinder club manual, this focus is explained because "young people between 10 and 15 years old are at a stage of growth and very rapid physical development."<ref name="Manual">Manual do Clube de Desbravadores - Universo Desbravador</ref> According to the philosophy, many of the club activities involve action, adventure, challenge and group activities, which "provide opportunities for the development of new attitudes and skills that produce personal growth, team and community spirit,". These are part of the tripod of the philosophy to work towards "citizenship and loyalty" and that preach respect for "God, His creation, and His church."<ref>Світогляд – Філософія – Релігія. Ukrainian Academy of Banking</ref>

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.<ref>Uma visão dos pais quanto ao rendimento de escolares do ensino fundamental participantes de atividades extra-escolares - EF Desportes</ref> The purpose of this involvement is to correct (or suppress) the gap between generations approaching youth and adults. And to work and have fun together in a bond of common experience.<ref name="Manual"/>

The whole philosophy of Pathfinders is built on the premise that "juveniles and children learn best by example, instead of the precepts."<ref>Filosofia - 2ª Coordenação de Desbravadores da AAmO</ref> The way they see the leaders and parental values is used as a spiritual and social role model.<ref name="Manual"/> With this they are expected to develop high moral principles, attitudes of love, care and determination. These are built into all the activities. The educational philosophy of the club also emphasizes 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."<ref name="CHM">General Conference Youth Department. Church Heritage Manual. 2002</ref>

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."<ref name="CHM"/> According to the Manual of the Pathfinder club, the goals and duties of the leadership of the club are:<ref name="Manual"/><ref name="Leadership Award">Pathfinder Leadership Award Template:Webarchive - General Conference Youth Department</ref>

• "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";<ref>WHITE, Ellen. Educação. Casa Publicadora Brasileira, Tatuí-SP. Pg 195, 536 e 537. Template:ISBN</ref>
• "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.<ref name="Reis"/> The administrative offices of the club require that trained people are occupying the function.<ref name="Reis"/> 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.<ref name="Reis"/><ref name="Veritati">VICENTE, Ana Cláudia S. D.. A Introdução do Escutismo em Portugal - Veritati - Repositório Institucional - Universidade Católica Portuguesa</ref>

The club is divided into separate units, classified by age. Each unit has an average of six or eight pathfinders, depending on club size, who are accompanied by a counselor. The counselor is the unit leader.<ref name="PPGE UFES">DOS SANTOS, Sérgio Pereira. "Podemos Entrar" ou "Vamos Entrar?": As Relações Entre Programa Escola Aberta e Instituições ReligiosasTemplate:Dead link - PPGE Federal University of Espírito Santo</ref> 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.<ref name="PPGE UFES"/>

Clubs are also organized into "regions", which act as groups of geographically close local clubs.<ref name="Reis"/><ref name="Gramunt">GRAMUNT, Alejandro R. D. B. Na trilha da aventura: o que todo desbravador tem que saber. Maringá; Caniatti e Marchezan. 2001</ref> 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".<ref name="Reis"/> The region is coordinated by a regional coordinator, usually an invested leader.<ref name="Gramunt"/><ref name="Reis"/>

On a broader scope is the local coordination of Pathfinder fields (missions, associations, unions and divisions),<ref name="Reis"/> which, as well as regional, has the mandate to coordinate activities that require more planning,<ref name="Gramunt"/> besides answering to the General Conference for all activities and work done in a geographic region.<ref name="Veritati"/>

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.<ref name="RH Pub Assoc">OLIVER, Willie.; HUMPHREY, Patricia. We Are the Pathfinders Strong. Review and Herald Pub Assoc.</ref>

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)<ref name="Reis"/> are at a stage of growth and very rapid physical development".<ref name="Bitarães"/> Various activities such as hiking, jungle trails,<ref name="Bitarães"/> cycling, mountaineering,<ref name="Bitarães"/> among others, have highlighted the activities of the department.<ref name="RH Pub Assoc"/>

Activities inside and outside of the regular meeting of the club focus on the physical,<ref name="Bitarães"/> such as recreational activities and games that encourage exercise.<ref name="PPGE UFES"/><ref name="Bitarães"/> Even traditional activities of the regular meeting, as the united order, cherish the physical aspect, combined with the mental development.<ref name="Bitarães"/>

Physical activities are, in essence (within the official philosophy), to entertain and attract children and adolescents, and allow it to jointly develop their mental and spiritual aspect.<ref name="PPGE UFES"/><ref name="Reis"/>

Mental framework

A part of mental development is encouraging youth to study and develop classes and specialties, which are analogous to series and school subjects.<ref name="Reis"/>

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.<ref name="Veritati"/><ref name="Reis"/>

Spiritual realm

Although the physical part requires considerable time within the activities, spiritual development is the main focus of the club.<ref name="Reis"/> 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."<ref name="RH Pub Assoc"/><ref>WHITE, Ellen. Conselho aos Pais Professores e Estudantes. Casa Publicadora Brasileira</ref>

In spiritual matters, it carries out various activities to engage youth.<ref name="Reis"/> Stand out missionary work, Bible studies and volunteer work.<ref name="RH Pub Assoc"/><ref name="CEPED">BARREIROS, Dayse Kelly Práticas de Ensino e Aprendizagem: Uma Experiência Para Além dos Muros da Escola Template:Webarchive - CEPED - IV EDIPE – Encontro Estadual de Didática e Prática de Ensino ‐ 2011</ref>

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.<ref>Pathfinder Bible Experience Template:Webarchive - Pathfinders Online</ref>

Christian citizenship

Within the spiritual realm there is the notion of Christian citizenship<ref name="Bitarães"/> 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.<ref name="CEPED"/>

Classes, specialties and merit system

Regular and advanced classes

Regular classes are activities that cover various topics, always considering the educational philosophy of the club.<ref name="Reis"/> Classes resemble academic degrees, as is recommended to be developed within one year in accordance with the correct age for each class.<ref name="RH Pub Assoc"/> Jointly develop the advanced classes, which contains more elaborate requirements, and usually with some degree of difficulty with regular classes.<ref name="Reis"/> There are twelve existing classes for youth:<ref name="Gramunt"/>

Standard classes	Advanced classes	Minimum grade/age	Class color
Friend<ref name="Reis"/>	Nature's Friend	5th grade, Age 10/11	Blue
Companion<ref name="Reis"/>	Excursion Companion	6th Grade, Age 11/12	Red
Explorer<ref name="Reis"/>	Field and Forest's Explorer	7th Grade, Age 12/13	Green
Ranger<ref name="Reis"/>	New Frontiers Ranger	8th Grade, Age 13/14	Silver
Voyager<ref name="Reis"/>	Woods Voyager	9th Grade, Age 14/15	Burgundy
Guide<ref name="Reis"/>	Exploration Guide	10th Grade, Age 15/16	Gold
Teen Leadership Training<ref name="Reis"/>	—	Teenage Years 13+	No color
Master Guide<ref name="Reis"/>	Master Leader: 20+ yearsTemplate:BrAdvanced Master Leader: 22+ years	After 4 Years of TLT	Gold

Leadership and specializations

Upon completing 16 years the Pathfinder has the possibility to choose to stay at the club and compose the picture of leadership.<ref name="Reis"/> If this is the choice of young, he/she will answer the leading classes, which are three: Leader, Master Guide and Master Guide Senior.<ref name="Manual"/> 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.<ref name="Leadership Award"/><ref name="RH Pub Assoc"/>

While the Leader class allows for the formation of leaders in a broader sense, the Master Guide class exists to specialize leaders already invested who will work on the technical training of aspirants.<ref name="Reis"/> The latest degree of specialization, Master Guide Senior, is focused on the production and review of technical and didactic content for the department.<ref name="manual 2 ed">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Cruz">Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref name="CEPED"/> In his philosophy, the specials are also thought to help in the spiritual and moral development.<ref name="Gramunt"/>

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.<ref name="RH Pub Assoc"/>

Merit system

The Pathfinder Merit System allows youth and adults to develop their skills in four major areas of activity, which are recognized in the club's program as pillars of support, namely: the church, family, school (or work) and the club itself.<ref name="manual 2 ed"/>

The incentive for good practice in all these pillars is recognized through the Good Conduct Ribbon Bar (the Pathfinder Excellence Award), which is awarded every 12 months to those young people (under 15 years of age) of recognized moral excellence. The club director, together with the other members of the board, are responsible for judging whether the candidate is fit. In some parts of the world, people over the age of 16 are eligible to receive the Good Conduct Ribbon Bar after five years of uninterrupted volunteer service at the club; in the case of these, it is the regional leader and the district leader who judge the suitability.<ref name="manual 2 ed"/>

Other graduations par excellence include so-called classes of physical merit, 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.<ref name="Leadership Award"/>

See also

• Medical Cadet Corps
• Adventurers