About Wahroonga Pathfinders

What is Pathfinders?

Pathfinders is an international, church-centred, spiritual-recreational program designed for young people 10 to 15 years of age (or in school years 5 to 10). It is filled with action, adventure, challenges and group activities and provide for the development of new attitudes and skills, person growth, community spirit and a sense of loyalty and respect for God, His creation and His church.

The whole philosophy of Pathfinders is built on the premise that learning is best by example and mentoring. As Pathfinders see leaders and parents model spiritual and social values, they too will aspire to develop high moral principles, loving and caring attitudes, and determination to excel in all their various pursuits.

The ideals and objectives of the Seventh-day Adventist Church are taught through an active learning program and although Pathfinders is sponsored by local Adventist Churches, youth of any faith group, or none at all, are welcome to join.

The Wahroonga club strives to interpret the Spirit of Pathfinders in its own unique way and is not a "child minding service" and we request the help of all parents to assist the club throughout the year.  We also need the cooperation o parents to support and encourage their children to live up to the expectations of a true Pathfinder.  This includes turning up to all of the meetings and being on time, dressing in the correct uniform, and completing honours or craft as needed at home. This will enable the club to run smoothly and efficiently and allow us to focus on running the activities through which we hope the kids will learn, grow and create memories which will last for the rest of their life.  

Pathfinder Pledge and Law

Loving the Lord my God I will-

Daily seek His presence,

Show friendship to others,

Keep the Pathfinder Law,

And honour my country.

The Pathfinder Law is

For me to look for good on other

Aim to do my best

Love and respect my family

Be thankful for what I have

Preserve God's creation

Take care of my health

Be involved in my church

And go where He sends.

Organisation

Each Pathfinder club has a local organisational structure and overseen regionally by the Greater Sydney Conference, an entity of the Adventist Church in Sydney.

Wahroonga Pathfinders run the 'Way to Go' program which divides the club into three levels: junior, intermediate and senior.  There are six achievement classes, two per level, which are identified by the following names/colours:

Level 1

• • • • • • • Friend – blue – age 10/year 5

            • Companion – red – age 11/year 6

Level 2

• • • • • • • Explorer – green – age 12/year 7

            • Ranger – grey – age 13/year 8

Level 3

• • • • • • • Voyager – brown – age 14/year 9

            • Guide – gold – age 15/year 10

At the conclusion of the classwork requirements and  completion of each class, the Pathfinder receives a pin, a pocket strip and chevron at a special investiture service Investiture service at Church in late November or early December.  

Master Guide is an excellent junior leadership and personal development program.  It equips you with leadership skills in the context of Pathfinders and the Seventh-day Adventist church.  Aimed at those involved in Pathfinders who are 16 years or older, Master Guide is a respected leadership skill qualification that is appreciated in the Seventh-day Adventist church.  It is an active learning experience that will change you and connect you with a wide range of possibilities in the Pathfinder ministry in your local club.  It is an 'endurance' experience that also provides networking opportunities and a lot of fun learning. 

Graduates of the Master Guide course will receive the insignia as shown below in recognition of the completion of their Master Guide course.

Investiture

To be invested and receive the relevant Class Pin at the end of the year, each Pathfinder must attend a minimum proportion of scheduled events and complete a minimum number of pursuit hours and exhibit the spirit of Pathfinders.  Pathfinders can earn an Advance Bar by participating in a greater proportion of the program as follows:

A record of each Pathfinder’s completed yearly program is kept in their journal.  It needs to be filled-in and signed off for investiture to occur.  We encourage Pathfinders to complete Master Guide, the top award granted to Pathfinders.

General Information

Pathfinders must be registered with the Club.  We like to involve our Pathfinder families in various activities during the year. The first camp for the year, a family camp, is a great way to get to know each other and we  encourage all families to attend.  Class or Level camps will be organised by the Class Leaders.  One of the hiking camps is the Expedition, which is run by the Conference for all Pathfinder clubs in Greater Sydney.

We encourage all Pathfinders to be self sufficient and independent and this is especially important during camps. Pathfinders will be encouraged look after and carry all of their own equipment, cook their own meals, set up their tent and generally manage their own needs for the weekend.

Wahroonga Pathfinder Club owns a number of two-person and three-person hiking tents. These tents are lightweight and are split between two or three pathfinders when hiking – so one person would carry the poles / fly and the other would carry the pegs / tent. These tents are transported to each camp and distributed as needed. They are returned to the club, clean and dry at the end of each event. From time to time replacements are needed for tents and our fundraising contributes to this. You do not need to buy your Pathfinder a tent. Leaders will allocate Pathfinders to share tents with others on a rotating basis. 

If a parent would like to attend any camp throughout the year - they are welcome, but need to be aware of Pathfinder principles in relation to alcohol, smoking and the non-use of illicit drugs at Pathfinder activities and respect those principles whilst in attendance.

Uniforms

Pathfinders has both a formal dress uniform and an informal field uniform.  The field uniform consists of a polo shirt and should be worn at club meetings.  You can order club uniforms when you register for the year.

Dress uniforms are worn for special occasions such as Investiture, Pathfinder Day, and the ANZAC Parade. New uniforms can be purchased at the Adventist Book Centre store in Epping or Wahroonga. The club also has a limited supply of second-hand uniforms and these can be borrowed from the club free of charge. They are to be returned to the uniform coordinator when the Pathfinder finishes Pathfinders.

Uniform Coordinator:  Michelle Smith

For more details about uniforms, please click here

Keeping in Touch

It is important that we are able to communicate with all parents and Pathfinders through the year.  We understand that we all communicate in different ways so we have a number of methods by which we can stay in touch.

• Firstly, all email addresses that are used on our registration forms will be added to a Google Group. This is our main distribution list so that we can forward information to you by MailChimp.

• We have a closed Facebook group called Wahroonga Pathfinders which you can ask to join.

• This web site is your source for reference information, and is where you need to keep up to date with Club information.

• We are always available to talk to you in person, on the phone, or by email should you have any questions or concerns.

Camping Equipment to buy

Speak to the Club Director or Class leaders with regard to purchasing packs.  Keep an eye out for sales at places like Kathmandu, Macpac, Snowgum and others as discounts can be considerable.

The club also has a limited range of second hand equipment and many families are also very happy to lend equipment for use within the club. Please don't hesitate to contact your child's Class Leader or the Club Directors if you are unable to obtain the equipment needed for a camping activity. It is really important for your child's safety and enjoyment that they are well equipped for these outdoor activities.

Club Equipment

The Wahroonga Pathfinder Club has some equipment, including bulk water containers, gas stoves & lights, some kitchen essentials, ropes, poles & other "pioneer" items, electric lighting for base camps, walkie talkie sets, GPS' and first-aid kits and tents. These will be made available for all Pathfinder events. Walkie talkies, GPS's and first-aid kits can only be issued to a level or group activity leader who will then manage the use of this equipment for the duration of the nominated event.

Equipment Coordinator: Michael Monteleone / Glyndon Boehm

Procedure:

A simple sign-out/sign-in logbook is used - some equipment will be photographed.

Pick-up: Any equipment will be available for pick-up by agreement with the equipment coordinator at the storeroom underneath Fox Valley Community Centre - and signed out by the Director, Class Leader or Event Coordinator.

Returns: Equipment can only be returned to the same place of issue - where it will be assessed for damage, prior to being put away.  It is optimal the same person who signed it out, will be available to return the equipment back into storage.

BEFORE RETURNING TENTS - THEY MUST BE TOTALLY DRY 

Experience has shown that simply "airing" over lines in a parent's garage for a few days is usually sufficient!

Damages: Equipment can and will damage through normal wear and tear. Our club has a budget replacement strategy for such times. Damage or loss deemed to be through a lack of care however, will be the responsibility of the individual Pathfinder concerned and they will be expected to meet the full cost of the replacement item.  The main causes of damage with tents are typically mildew, (when a tent is returned before it is completely dry), unruly behaviour near pitched tents, loss of tent (or parts from the tents), and hanging clothes from the tent or ropes causing undue strain.