One blustery weekend from Friday, 11 October, to Sunday, 13 October 2024, 35 Pathfinders and over a dozen counsellors gathered at Chapel Porth for our first Pathfinder Curriculum Camp in recent memory. For many Pathfinders, this was their first camping experience, and they eagerly erected their tents and prepared their sleeping equipment.
Our speaker for the weekend was Area Coordinator Paula Carrillo, who drew on her experiences in nature to creatively inspire the Pathfinders. She explained how God is a good farmer who helps to remove the weeds from our minds, such as temptation, envy, anger, and addiction, as well as external factors like false friends. Through spending more time with Him, we choose healthy new activities and make better choices. She also highlighted how much God loves us and is always there for us. When we feel alone and detached, He finds us where we are and is ready to help. Even a branch detached from a tree can still grow. Drawing on the parable of the sower, she emphasised the power of our minds and asked us to consider what our friends and family could do to lift our spirits.
Despite the autumn weather, the Pathfinders gathered in the field to learn various fire formations and then went on to cook over the fire with club director Aggie. It was wonderful to learn some new recipes and taste the finished products.
No visit to Chapel Porth is complete without a walk to the Wheal Coates tin mine and the beach, to appreciate God’s beautiful creations around us. For some, it was their first visit to the area, and we were even treated to a visit from a little seal pup.
Over the weekend, we completed the Camping Skills 1 requirements, and in addition, the Pathfinders also worked on the Macramé honour, creating a spiral design in the form of a keyring—a lovely keepsake to take home. Before leaving camp, the Pathfinders enjoyed learning how to use knives and axes safely, demonstrating their skills by making tent pegs.
A highlight was seeing the Pathfinders form friendships and include one another outside of the scheduled events. The weekend was a success, and everyone left encouraged and excited to see one another again when the area clubs next meet.
We are especially grateful to Paula and her family for making the trip from Watford to the Southwest and blessing us with inspirational messages and invaluable tuition. We were blessed with great food from our camp cooks, Sue and Julia, and we are thankful for the support and guidance of our area counsellors, leaders, and parents.