Have you ever been to a major event that was suddenly cut short? Imagine the disappointment of thousands of young Pathfinders who traveled from all over the world, only to have their adventure end prematurely. That's exactly what happened at the 2024 International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming. But why did it happen, and what can we learn from this unexpected turn of events?
You might be thinking, "It's just a camping trip, what's the big deal?" Well, let me tell you, this was no ordinary camping trip. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many young Adventists, a chance to connect with their faith and peers from around the globe. And it was all cut short by an unexpected force of nature.
Now, you're probably wondering, "What exactly happened?" Let's dive into the stormy details.
On Friday morning, August 9, just one day before the camporee was set to conclude, an official announcement was made on Facebook. The message was clear: due to the threat of severe weather, the camporee would be ending a day early. But why make such a drastic decision?
The answer lies in the forecast. According to the National Weather Service, heavy rain, wind gusts of 40-60 mph, lightning, and even hail were expected to hit the area by Saturday afternoon. Now, imagine thousands of young people in tents facing those conditions. Not exactly a safe scenario, is it?
But here's the kicker: this wasn't the first bout of bad weather the camporee had faced. From the very beginning, Mother Nature seemed determined to test the Pathfinders' resilience. On the opening night, high winds and rain lashed the Cam-plex, forcing leaders to cancel and reschedule activities. Clubs huddled in tents and trailers, trying to stay dry and warm.
You might be thinking, "Surely it got better after that?" Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The weather continued to be a challenge throughout the week. Raquel Mentor, an associate editor at Spectrum who was on-site, summed up the general mood by Friday: "People are over it."
Now, let's pause for a moment. What would you do if you were in charge of an event facing such challenging conditions? It's a tough call, isn't it? On one hand, you have thousands of excited young people who've been looking forward to this event. On the other, you have the very real threat of severe weather and the responsibility for their safety.
The camporee leadership, in collaboration with the North American Division, made the difficult decision to prioritize safety. But was it the right call? Let's look at some perspectives.
Many clubs decided to leave early, even before the official announcement. After battling the elements for days, it seems the prospect of one more day in those conditions was too much for some. Samuel Girven, another reporter on the scene, described Friday's atmosphere as "a bit like doomsday." He even overheard a club director desperately trying to book hotel rooms over the phone.
But not everyone had such a rough time. Sofia Lindgren, also reporting for Spectrum, said her Northern California Conference club was among the lucky ones who avoided the worst of the weather's impacts. However, she still felt disappointed and "kind of cheated."
Here's where it gets interesting. Lindgren mentioned talking to some locals who said this weather is normal for Wyoming in August. This raises an important question: Could better planning have prevented this situation?
Lindgren certainly thought so, stating, "For multiple reasons, they should have done it much earlier." She also pointed out that the timing of the camporee meant some young Adventists would miss their first week of school.
But weather wasn't the only concern. Mentor noted a lack of health and hygiene protocols, such as hand sanitizer stations and guidelines for preventing the transmission of illnesses like COVID-19, which has seen a resurgence this summer.
Now, you might be wondering, "Was there any silver lining to this stormy cloud?" Despite the challenges, there were some positive takeaways. Many expressed gratitude to the local Wyomingites who saw their area's population double for a week. Alicia Woolsey Spade wrote on Facebook, "The feedback that I have received from the youth clubs is that your community has been amazing. Thank you for hosting!"
So, what can we learn from this unexpected turn of events? Perhaps it's a reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the importance of thorough planning. Maybe it's a lesson in flexibility and resilience for the young Pathfinders. Or could it be a call for event organizers to consider more carefully the timing and location of such large gatherings?
As we reflect on the 2024 International Pathfinder Camporee, one thing is clear: while the event may have ended early, the experiences and lessons learned will last a lifetime. And for those already looking forward to the next one, there's good news: plans are underway to bring the International Pathfinder Camporee back to Gillette, Wyoming, in 2029.
Will the organizers apply the lessons learned from this year's challenges? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure: the spirit of the Pathfinders remains unbreakable, come rain or shine.
About the Author:
Written by Demetrion Ware, founder of Keravada, dedicated to empowering Black women with healthy, beautiful hair.