TED Pathfinder Camporee

Zatonie, Poland

30 July - 5 August 2002

JESUS 4 U - TED CAMPOREE INTERIM REPORT - from Catherine Boldeau <cathyboldeau@secadventist.org.uk> and Stefan Burton-Schnull

On Sunday 28 and Monday 29 July approximately seven hundred Pathfinders from the British Union travelled by land, sea, and air to attend the TED Pathfinder Camporee in Zatonie, Poland. The largest contingent, some 385 Pathfinders, came from the South England Conference. The journey in some instances took nearly 23 hours depending on the mode of transport taken.

The Camporee was opened officially at 2.00 pm local time on Tuesday afternoon in the regimental and ordered style typical of the Pathfinder movement. 1,700 people were in attendance, from countries as far apart as Norway and Pakistan, and all marched in full-dress uniform led by their appropriate country flags.

The Camporee has been entitled "Jesus 4 U" and the speaker for the opening ceremony was General Conference Pathfinder director Pastor Robert Holbrook. In his welcome address he expressed his hope that the Pathfinders' experience of the Camporee would be a spiritual one. Part of the ceremony included some of the Pathfinders creating a map of the Trans-European Division to be displayed during the week.

When asked how the Camporee was going BUC Youth director Des Boldeau and SEC Pathfinder director Eglan Brooks each said two words: "It's hot". Apparently the campers are basking in temperatures of 85 degrees Fahrenheit and above.

The majority of the organised activities started on Wednesday morning and will continue for the remainder of the time. Clubs are being encouraged to mingle with other clubs, both nationally and internationally, and the activities have been chosen to foster this positive interaction.

One of the features of a good Camporee is an interesting speaker. This was found in Pastor Jonathan Julies, formerly the Youth director of the Southern African Union and currently the President of Bethel College in South Africa. He has based his topics each morning and evening on Isaiah 9:6. To complement the speaker there is a worship team from Denmark, led by Geert Tap, Dean of Men at Newbold College. Particularly inspiring is the band's guitarist, who is blind.

So far the Camporee is running very smoothly and the British campers, who make up over 33% of the entire delegation, are thoroughly enjoying themselves. We wish them, and TED Youth director Pastor Paul Tompkins, who has organised the Camporee, all the best in the coming week.

PATHFINDERS RETURN FROM TED CAMPOREE - from <cathyboldeau@secadventist.org.uk>

On Monday evening 5 August the Trans-European Division Camporee in Poland ended in dramatic style with a heavy thunderstorm preceding the closing ceremony. The tropical downpour caused major flooding which swamped some of the British contingent's equipment. It took volunteer trench diggers, and eventually the local fire brigade using three pumps, to empty the newly formed lake which had surrounded the two British transportation containers with about a foot of water.

Apart from this one storm however the Camporee had been blessed with excellent weather and those who attended said it was a resounding success. Approximately 700 Pathfinders attended from the territory of the British Union and many of these were involved in a major Impact Evangelism event in the surrounding towns. Three coach loads of Pathfinders and their leaders travelled to Zlochienic and Drawsco-Promsky. Their presentations included singing, mime and face painting. In addition to this several hundred copies of the Polish edition of Steps to Christ were given out to passers-by. These were in great demand. Contacts made were given to the Youth director of the Polish Union.

Another special feature of the Camporee was the baptism on Sabbath morning. Four young people were baptised in the lake that formed part of the campsite. Sunday morning was Market Day. Various produce, foods, bric-a-brac, novelty games were available for sale to raise funds to build a church in Pakistan. Under sweltering heat, market day was a tremendous success with around 2,000 people in attendance. Many people from the local community were also present.

Returning Pathfinders have been giving their views of the Camporee and it is evident that it was a great experience for all who went. "I really liked the singing and the praise band," said one youngster. Another commented on the inspiration they got from the Scandinavian encampments. "They really knew how to enjoy themselves over there," he said, "and the Danish site was brilliant."

Hear an audio report compiled by Pastor Victor Hulbert for Adventist World Radio's Network 7 News at: <http://english.awr.org/witness.html>.

Click on images for a larger view

Pictures from the Newbold Pathfinder Club:

Pictures from Andrew West:

Pictures from Louis Marie (St Albans Pathfinder Club):