The 2026 British Union Conference (BUC) Pathfinder Camporee concluded with an unforgettable evening of worship, celebration and commitment, as thousands of Pathfinders united in praise and reaffirmed their decision to follow Jesus.
A spirit of intense devotion filled the main arena as Pathfinders lifted their scarves in worship, singing "These Are the Days of Elijah" with heartfelt enthusiasm. Led by guest speaker Pastor Damian Chandler and the Camporee praise team, the spontaneous singspiration continued long after the scheduled programme, culminating in an emotional chorus of "We love God!" echoing across the Showground.
Reflecting on the moment, Pastor Chandler remarked:
"There was a time when we had to persuade young people to come to church. Today, these young people want to be in church."
His observation captured the spiritual atmosphere that had characterised the six-day Camporee, where worship, fellowship and discipleship combined to create an experience many young people will remember for years to come.
A Call to Make Room for God
In his closing message, Pastor Chandler challenged Pathfinders to move beyond temporary spiritual experiences towards a lifelong relationship with Christ.
Drawing on the story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:8–10), he described three stages of spiritual growth: inviting God into our lives, welcoming Him regularly, and ultimately making Him a permanent resident by building our lives around Him rather than simply fitting Him into our schedules.
Earlier in the Camporee, during the morning service, he had also reminded young people that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace, using the story of the thief on the cross to illustrate God's providence, patience and saving mercy. His appeal encouraged every Pathfinder to respond to Christ's invitation without delay, regardless of past failures or feelings of unworthiness.
Decisions for Christ
One of the most moving moments of the Camporee came as 32 Pathfinders publicly declared their faith through baptism, following their baptismal vows before family, friends and fellow campers.
The baptisms formed part of a remarkable spiritual harvest during the week. According to BUC Youth Director, Pastor Njay Ndlovu, approximately 700 spiritual decisions were recorded during the Camporee, with around 2,500 people attending the event from across the British Union Conference.
Following the baptismal service, Pathfinders completed honours and outdoor activities before gathering for the closing programme, which featured praise and worship, prayer, acknowledgements and a colourful drum corps display.
A Celebration of Faith and Fellowship
The closing ceremony provided an opportunity to recognise the many volunteers, leaders, churches and supporting ministries whose dedication helped make the Camporee a success. Pastor Ndlovu expressed his heartfelt appreciation to everyone who had contributed their time, talents and resources throughout the week.
The evening concluded with vibrant performances by the South England Conference, North England Conference and Welsh Mission drum corps. Their displays of precision, creativity and teamwork brought the Camporee to an energetic close, drawing enthusiastic applause from the thousands gathered for the final programme.
As tents came down and Pathfinders prepared for the journey home on Sunday, many left with far more than memories of camping, activities and new friendships. They departed having encountered Christ in a personal way, challenged to live lives that reflect His love as ‘Image Bearers’ and inspired to continue growing as faithful disciples.
