First part of Master Guide requirement in Basic Staff Training Course.

1. Pathfinder
Basic Staff
Training-1
INTRODUCTION TO PATHFINDERING

2. Part #1
History, Philosophy, Purpose
Objective: to develop awareness of
the purpose and uniqueness of
pathfinder ministry and an overview
of the history of pathfindering.
What is Pathfindering?
*

3. *
*1907
*Missionary Volunteer Societies organized
1922
*JMV (now AJY) Progressive Classes introduced
- Friend and Companion (ages 10 & 11 or grades
5 & 6) also Comrade & Master Comrade
• 1929
– "Pathfinder" name first used at a summer
camp in Southeastern California
• 1931
– First Master Comrade Investiture

4. *
*1946
*First conference-sponsored Pathfinder Club
(Riverside, California) Pathfinder Club emblem
designed by John H. Hancock
*1949
*Henry Bergh writes Pathfinder song
(not copyrighted until 1952)
• 1951
– First Pathfinder Fair,
September 23, Dinuba, California
– Master Comrade changed to Master Guide
– Pathfinder Staff Manual published

5. *
*1979
*MV changed to AY (Missionary Volunteer -->
Adventist Youth)
*JMV changed to AJY (Junior Missionary
Volunteer --> Adventist Junior Youth
*Pre-JMV changed to Adventurers
(4 yrs. - 4th grade)
• 1982
– New Pathfinder World replaces MV World
– Voyager Class added (age 14 or grade 9) –
between Ranger & Guide
– NAD Pathfinder uniform revised

6. *
*1985
*First NAD Pathfinder Camporee, Camp Hale,
Colorado
*1995
*Teen Leadership Training (TLT) Program
established for training High school students
(grades 9-12)
– First Pathfinder Web Site established
• 1998
– 1st NAD Master Guide Convention,
Los Angeles, CA

7. *
*1999
*NAD Pathfinder Web Site established
*“Discover the Power” International Camporee in
Oshkosh WI
*2000
*Uniform changed from Forest Green skirts, slacks &
sashes to Black skirts, slacks & sashes
• 2001
– Pathfinder Honor Handbook revised,
17 new honors and international honors
added

8. *
*By 1950 there were active clubs in:
*Walnut Creek
*Richmond
*Martinez
*Deer Park
*Camino
• Pacific Union Conference Prepares
1st Drill Manual in the early 1950s
– Committee members were:
• Clark Smith
• Henry Bergh
• Glenn Fillman (NCC MV Director)

9. *
Red
White
Blue
Gold
Sacrifice
Purity
Loyalty
Excellence

10. Three Sides
Shield
Sword
– Completeness
– Protection
– Bible

11. *
*Not entertainment
*Not babysitting for parents
*Not simply another youth group
*Not just an outdoor activity based club
THEN WHAT IS
PATHFINDERING?

12. *
*Spiritual at it’s core
*It is intended to lead members into a growing,
redemptive relationship with God
*Experience-based
*It is organized and led to build members into
responsible, mature individuals who contribute
to their families, their church and their world
• Others Focused
– It is programmed to help members
realize that there is something that each
one can do to help their neighbor
through active, selfless service

13. *
To provide a:
*Church-centered
*Recreational-spiritual program
*For both boys and girls
*Ages 10-15
– That offers action, adventure,
challenge and group activities that
produce team spirit and loyalty to
God and the church

14. *
“Train a child in the way he
should go, and when he is
old
he will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 NIV

15. *
*Proverbs 22:6
*Training them while they are young is important
because 70% of Christians make their decision for
Christ before the age of 14
(christianitytoday.com)
*Because of changes in society such as:
*Divorce causing single parent homes,
• 50% of our kids not attending Christian
schools,
• Fewer families in society have any contact
with Christianity

16. *
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable
if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy
think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8 NIV

17. *
*Phil. 4:8
*Pathfindering is fundamentally principles-
and experience-based training so that
young people can more easily transfer the
learning to other areas of life.
– Everything (honors, classwork,
example) must be affected by Biblical
truth because we are painting a picture
of God for our kids

18. *
*Help Pathfinders to understand that the
church loves, cares for and appreciates
them.
*Show Pathfinders that God has a plan for
their lives.
• Train Pathfinders for Christian
service.

19. *
*Work for the salvation of each individual
Pathfinder.
*Assist in developing the Pathfinder’s
appreciation for nature and a concern for
the environment.
• Teach Pathfinders specific skills
and hobbies that will make their
life meaningful and will occupy
their time profitably.

20. *
*Help keep Pathfinders physically fit.
*Give opportunities for the development of
leadership.
• Assist Pathfinders in developing a
balanced physical, mental, social,
and spiritual life.