Pathfinders Gainesville
About Pathfinders
Pathfinders is a global organization for young people sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. While it is a church-based program, kids and teens from any background—or no religious background at all—are warmly welcomed.
Pathfinders gives young people the chance to grow, explore, and develop lifelong skills through hands-on experiences, including:
Camping adventures and practical survival skills.Age-appropriate leadership development
Community service projects (soup kitchens, food drives, park care, visits to the elderly, and more)
Interactive training in nature, arts, recreation, conservation, vocational skills, and other areas—each with awards (honors) for achievements
Joining a Pathfinder Club
Pathfinders is designed for young people in 5th through 8th grade.
5th–6th grade: Junior Pathfinders
7th–8th grade: Teen Pathfinders
High school students (grades 9–12) can continue their leadership journey through the Teen Leadership Training (TLT) program, which works hand-in-hand with Pathfinder activities.
Values
Pathfinder Pledge & Law
The Pathfinder Pledge & Law is an important part of Pathfinders. Thousands of Pathfinders each year learn and choose to abide by the requirements of the Pathfinder Pledge and Law for the purpose of growing closer to their fellow men and women, and to their Creator.
Pathfinder Pledge
By the grace of God, I will be pure, and kind, and true. I will keep the Pathfinder Law. I will be a servant of God and a friend to man.
Pathfinder Law
The Law is for me to:
- Keep the morning watch
- Do my honest part
- Care for my body
- Keep a level eye
- Be courteous and obedient
- Walk softly in the sanctuary
- Keep a song in my heart
- Go on God’s errand
Pathfinder Song
English
Oh, we are the Pathfinders strong,
The servants of God are we.
Faithful as we march along,
In kindness, truth, and purity
A Message to tell to the world,
A truth that will set us free!
King Jesus the Savior’s coming back
For you, and me!
Español
Soy Conquistador fuerte y fiel,
Un siervo de Dios you soy;
Fieles marcharemos si
Por la senda del deber
Mensaje tenemos que dar,
Verdad que libertara,
Jesus muy pronto regresara
Por ti, por mi.
Pathfinder Pledge Explanation
By the grace of God
Only as we rely on God to help us can we do His will.
I will be pure
I will fill my mind with everything that is right and true and spend my time in activities that will build a strong, clean character.
I will be kind
I will be considerate and kind, not only to my fellow man, but also to all of God’s creation.
I will be true
I will be honest and upright in study, work, and play and can always be counted upon to do my very best.
I will keep the Pathfinder Law
I will seek to understand the meaning of the Law and will strive to live up to its spirit, realizing that obedience to law is essential in any organization.
I will be a servant to God
I will pledge myself to serve God first, last, and best in everything I am called upon to be or do.
I will be a friend to man
I will live to bless others and do unto them as I would have them do unto me.
Pathfinder Law Explanation
Keep the Morning Watch
I will have prayer and personal Bible study each day.
Do my honest part
By the power of God I will help others, and do my duty and my honest share, wherever I may be.
Care for my body
I will be temperate in all things and strive to reach a higher standard of physical fitness.
Keep a level eye
I will not lie, cheat or deceive, and will despise dirty talk or evil thinking.
Be courteous and obedient
I will be kind and thoughtful of others, reflecting the love of Jesus in all my association with others.
Walk softly in the sanctuary
In any devotional exercise I will be quiet, careful and reverent.
Keep a song in my heart
I will be cheerful and happy and let the influence of my life be as sunshine to others.
Go on God’s errands
I will always be ready to share my faith and go about doing good as Jesus did.
Uniform
Pathfinder Uniform
The uniform makes the organization real and visible. It represents an ideal and a standard. One of the ways to set up a standard and bring the members of an organization up to that standard is through the uniform. It should stimulate loyalty toward that standard by building morale and binding members into closer fellowship. It also appeals to those not already members to join. The uniform strengthens club spirit. The uniform should always be clean and neat. Wearing one that fits properly will go a long way to make it look sharp. The uniform should be worn with “humble pride.”
We should remember that it acts as a visual announcement of Pathfinder ministry, and should draw questions from observers concerning the meaning of each patch and symbol.
When the Uniform Should Be Worn
It is recommended that those having uniforms wear them on the following occasions.
- At Pathfinder meetings
- At special programs (Pathfinder Day, Induction, Investiture, etc.)
- At any public gathering when any or all act as
- Messengers
- Ushers
- Guards of honor
- First-aid details
- Color guards
- On occasions as specified by Pathfinder staff
- While engaging in missionary outreach activities, such as Ingathering, distributing food baskets, gifts, literature, or church announcements, and while visiting nursing homes, shut-ins and community organizations.
When the Uniform Should Not be Worn
- If not a member
- For work or play
- When engaged in selling for personal profit, in selling for commercial or political purposes, or in personal solicitation
- At any time or place when its wearing discounts the organization, or casts any reflection upon the uniform, lowers its dignity and esteem, and makes it commonplace
Pathfinders Bible Experience PBA
