WHO ARE PATHFINDERS?

Pathfinders wholistically develops young people and children; physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and spiritually. Pathfinders has for its inspiration the Scouts, with several aspects of the two programs overlapping, such as hiking trips, camping and bushcraft. 
 
Pathfinders is a global community of young people with a membership of over 2.75 million. The program is sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, though young people of any religious persuasion, or none, are welcome and encouraged to join.

WHAT PATHFINDERING OFFERS?

• Camping, bushcraft & survival skills
• Age-appropriate leadership training classes
• Activities promoting community pride & involvement, such as helping inner city soup kitchens, collecting food for the disadvantaged, cleaning & maintaining local neighbourhoods and county parks, and visiting and encouraging the elderly.
• Interactive training in a variety of recreational, artistic, nature, conservation, vocational, and outreach areas, with awards (honours) given for successful completion of interactive modules
• Personal care and encouragement from caring staff members. While many school classrooms have between 10 and 30 students per teacher, Pathfinders offers at least 1 staff member to every 5 young people

LIFE SKILLS

Pathfinders are encouraged to become strong and responsible members of their community, be willing to take on challenges, work with others as part of a team, develop leadership skills, care for their bodies and minds, and keep away from harmful substances. The program is centred around strong ethical, moral, and spiritual values based on the Christian faith.

CURRICULUM

The program takes children on a journey of learning through six classes:

• 10 years: Friend
• 11 years: Companion
• 12 years: Explorer
• 13 years: Ranger
• 14 years: Voyager
• 15 years: Guide

Some later become Master Guides and take on local or regional leadership roles.

ACTIVITIES

The are opportunities to develop skills and crafts in nearly three hundred activities for which badges can be awarded and placed on the uniform. For example, during campouts the following skills will be learned: reading and using a map and compass, camp craft, pioneering, rope work and lashings, campfires and outdoor cooking, nature studies, and health and fitness.

Every year a camporee is planned at either regional, national or international level, which is an excellent opportunity for Pathfinders to meet and have fun with young people from across Europe.

ADVENTURER CLUB

The Adventurer Club is designed to strengthen parent-child relationships for children aged 6-9 years by providing specialised weekly activities adjusted for the various ages. Simultaneously, it allows parents to learn news skills and enjoy special activities with their children. Adventurer classes are:

• 4 years: Little Lambs
• 5 years: Early Bird
• 6 years: Busy Bee
• 7 years: Sunbeam
• 8 years: Builder
• 9 years: Helping Hands

THE APPROACH

We encourage parents to join their local Adventurer club to nurture their children toward a healthy appreciation of themselves, others, their world, and the environment and learn values that will last a lifetime. Using arts & crafts, outdoor activities, camping & field trips, and by giving them a chance to engage in community service projects, children will enhance their natural abilities and be exposed to a broader worldview.

TEEN LEADERSHIP TRAINING 

The Teen Leadership Training (TLT) program works closely with the Pathfinder program and is for secondary school students aged 14 years and above. Many locations offer the chance to make a difference in the lives of young people, develop friendships with fellow staff, learn more about God's creation, and improve their training skills.