The patch for the Camp Hale experience.
My oldest son is ten. That means he is old enough to join Pathfinders. If you aren’t an Adventist, you may not be familiar with what that is. Well, Pathfinders is Boy Scouts, but we include the ladies as well. That’s all well and good until the kids reach teen years and realize that the opposite sex is fascinating. Nothing like stressing out the chaperones.
Since my oldest is now involved, it looks like I’m going to be involved. We’ve just had our first meeting, and it looks like it’s going to be a good group of kids. Watching my son start his Pathfinder experience brought back some memories.
FLASHBACK
In 1985 the Adventist church decided that they needed to have a camporee that, for the first time, would include Pathfinder clubs from all of North America. They held it at Camp Hale, Colorado, 9200 ft. above sea level. 17000 people showed up and camped in the three mile long valley that was used as a training ground for the 10th Mountain Division during World War II.
Those are the main facts of the event. This is how eight year old me remembers it.
We drove. And then we drove. And then we drove some more. West Virginia to Colorado is a long way. My family was,,,,,,,, thrifty. So, we stayed in roadside motels that would have made great horror movie sets. After shower time one night, I was sitting on the motel bed, staring at the amazing shag carpet, when I saw a spider as big as my hand. I pointed this out to my parents and my dad said with the utmost confidence, “It’s just a wolf spider.” My dad’s utter disregard for the spider put me at ease, so as the night went on I paid little mind to the original spider and to his five or six friends who were late to the party.
Memories of the camporee come in flashes. I remember climbing a rock outcropping that I wasn’t supposed to. I remember sleeping in an RV that was not hooked up to any facilities. Cold showers. A robotics demonstration tent that included Commodore 64 computers. Some guys showing everyone how to throw axes. They even brought in a dude who wrestled a bear. I remember doing laundry at the laundromat in Leadville, Colorado.
What stands out the most from this trip is my mom taking me to the creek that ran through the valley so I could “pan for gold.” To eight year old me any trip out west that didn’t involve panning for gold was a waste. So, I grabbed a pair of my mom’s boots that looked close enough to cowboy boots for me, and some kind of basin, and we headed to the creek. It was cold and we found nothing. But it is my favorite memory from that week.
Now I hope to help my son make some good outdoor memories as he gets to know new friends and learns some new skills. My only request is that these memories do not involve bears, or stomach ailments when only pit toilets are available. The next camporee is in 2019. By then my son should be in full teenage mode. Watch out ladies.
LINKS
- Don’t you hate it when you’re walking along and you trip and put your fist through an expensive painting?
- Apparently the guy who invented Minecraft and then sold it is kind of depressed. My son would be very sad to know this.
- An elementary school teacher in New Jersey got suspended because he was late to work 111 times in 2 years. He should have called me for advice before he registered his excuse.
- Secrets for brewing coffee at home from the people who charge you 5 bucks for a ‘medium’ latte. Who am I kidding, they know my name over there.
Hey! My name is Queven and I’m a brazilian pathfinder. I would like to talk to you about, I’m a collector of Pathfinders stuffs, maybe we can exchange things, or just good stories.
See you! Be blessed.
Hi. Thanks for reading. It’s been many years since I was a Pathfinder. I think collecting Pathfinder memorabilia is a cool idea. Have you had a chance to attend one of the large camporees?
good morning.
many blessings from Dominican Republic. I am writing because I found very interesting your article on the first Pathfinders Camporee in colorado 1985, and would like to know if you have that patch. I like to have it in my collection.
Hi. Thanks for reading. I do have that patch, but I believe that the one I have is actually my father’s. I was a little too young to be in Pathfinders when we attended the Camp Hale camporee. Are you planning to attend the next Osh Kosh camporee in 2019. I hope to be there with my kids.
Dear friend and Brother Miguel, how are you?
Maybe we can exchange some patches from Brazil and South America, what do you think ?
Big hug’s ! God Bless you !!
Dear brother Marc, how are you? Nice to meet you wishing Blessings from Brazil – Southeast Area Sao Paulo Conference.
My name is Thiago (James in English) and searching on the Internet I Just found the pictures of your patches.
I’ve seen in your Blog you have SO SPECIAL old Patches. Can I know if you have it for sale or exchange?
I’m Pathfinders Master Guide in my region and specially Pathfinders’ Patches and Pins enthusiasts and collectors.
Do you think is it possible sale or exchange it to Brazil?
I’m a member of big exchange clubs and all will love these materials.
If you think is ok, please help me saying how and quantities or different models you have on hand?
I have a several kind of patches too and we can exchange well. Brazil will have soon our next International Camporee and you are invited. If we can have these patches, we can do a little museum on the next Camporee of South America Division and you are very welcome for coming together us. Will be around 35.000 pathfinders together, for the God’s Honor.
Thank you so much and God Bless You !!
Thiago Chiovatto de Oliveira
Distrital de Desbravadores
2ª Região – APSE
Mobile: (WhatsApp)+55 11 999706833
E-mail: thiago.asd@terra.com.br
Unfortunately I don’t really have any Pathfinder memorabilia to trade. A lot of the stuff that I have was my dad’s so parting with it isn’t up to me. Thanks for reading, and sorry it took me so long to reply.
God Bless
Dear Friend, it doesnt matter. No problem.
Thank you so much for answer me.
I’m keep trying to have contacts and Pathfinder brothers and friends around the world to trade some pins and patches.
If you know someone, please, introduce me.
Thank you so so much and God Bless you too!!
Big hugs from Brazil
No problem. Good luck and if I run into anyone looking to trade I will send them your way.
God Bless.
Cool story. I was at the 1985 Camporee. Brings back memories. Most good, but a few not so much. Like overflowing toilets.
I remember the laser light show.
Other than that, I don’t remember much.
I sure do wish I could find the patch. Especially since I am now involved in youth ministry and it would be cool to have on my uniform.
I forgot about the laser light show. That was pretty advanced for a camporee. The other thing I remember is hearing a drum corps practicing a lot. We must have been near Allegheny East.
Any patches that I have from that trip are probably my dad’s. I was a little young for Pathfinders back then. My dad was involved in youth leadership for the Mountain View Conference.
Unfortunately, for now, my son has decided that Pathfinders are not for him.
Hello Marc, how are you? I was delighted with the memories you described. I have also been a trailblazer since I was 9, and only this year I was able to participate in a Camporee NAD. I was in Oshkosh at Camporee Chosen 2019.
God continue to bless your life, as well as your son’s journey as Pathfinder.