Basic Staff Training Pathfinder &

Adventurer Clubs
By Chifundo Mangame

Programming
&
Planning
Introduction

• “Failing to plan is planning to fail”

– Benjamin Franklin
• “A man who does not plan long ahead will
find trouble at his door”
– Confucius
Introduction
❑The strength of any successful Pathfinder and
Adventurer Clubs lie in careful, thoughtful
planning and purposeful programming.
❑Without structured planning, even the most
enthusiastic leaders and eager participants can
lose direction and motivation.
❑ This lesson dives into the essentials of
club programming and planning,
equipping you with the tools to build a
cohesive, Christ-centered, and impactful
experience for your club members.
Programming and Planning Overview
❑Guiding youthful lives towards eternal life
is the most important work given to
mankind. You hold in your hands that
responsibility, so plan your program well.
❑Make it a balanced program with
emphasis on spiritual, physical,
mental, and social. A plan need
to be outlined and followed with
care.
Programming and Planning Overview
❑A program with broad objectives should
first be developed for the year, then for
the quarter, monthly and weekly
meetings.
❑The Pathfinder and Adventurer
Club staff is responsible for
planning the program. The
director chairs the planning
meetings. Suggestions should be
welcomed from all sources.
Worship
Idea
• Matthew 25:14-30
– Parable of the Three Servants
Why Plan? – The Power of Purposeful
Programming
❑ Opening Illustration:
❑ Imagine two groups setting off on a journey: one
without a map, going wherever the wind takes them,
and another with a detailed map and compass, clear
about their destination and each step along the way.
Which group would accomplish its goals more
effectively?
❑ Point: Without a plan, clubs tend to lose
focus, become inconsistent, and struggle to
meet their objectives. Programming and
planning lay the path for a cohesive, inspiring
club experience.
Core Components of Club Planning
Yearly Program

❑The Pathfinder director and staff need a clear

understanding of the objectives to be reached
during the Pathfinder year. The general aim is to
help meet the growing needs of junior youth.
❑Leading the Pathfinders through a
course of study toward final recognition
in an investiture service is te means to
reach many of the objectives. It is in a
well planned yearly program in which all
facets are included that the objectives
may be reached
❑.

❑.
Other Yearly Programs
❑Staff Meetings - held monthly – time and place
to be announced. Check with CMC for dates
relative to conference bimonthly events.
❑Scoring – The conference youth department has
designed a yearly scoring plan with a variety of
requirments highlighting basic activities needed.
Record of Classwork
❑There are two places where record is
made of completed classwork:
i. The Pathfinder/Adventurer Class record
card.
ii. The CMC Checklist
Weekly Club Meetings

❑The Pathfinder/Adventurer can achieve the aim

of the program only if regular meetings are
conducted. These meetings can be conducted
according to the needs of the local club.

❑The local church can choose a model to

conduct its activities and it is also
possible to change from one model to
the other.
Club Meetings
Program Components
• Club Components
– Club honors / awards / activities / drill
– Guests
• Closing Exercises
– Announcements
– Dismissal
Club Meetings
Program Components
• Opening Exercises
– Pledge of Allegiance, Pledge & Law,
Pathfinder Song
– Prayer & Devotional
– Unit inspection / dues
• Unit Time
– AY Classwork
– Honors / Activities
Club Meetings
Program Guide
• Short attention spans = change activities
often
• Active learning works better
• 20 - 40 minute components
• Involve Pathfinders in as many
aspects of programming as possible
• Give LITs opportunities
to learn to lead
• Stick with time schedule
Record Cards and Passport/Checklist
❑ The Pathfinder Class record card, which lists the
requirements, leaving room for the authorized
signature of verification. The card is preferably kept
by the secretary in the club file. The cards may be
kept by unit or alphabetically.

❑ The Pathfinder Passport* has pages

designated for each class. Either a system
of stamps or listed requirements like those
on the record card will be the Pathfinder’s
personal permanent Pathfinder Club history.
AY Honors /
Adventurer Awards
• Introduce kids to a variety of interests
– Arts & Crafts, Household Arts, Nature,
Outdoor Industries, Outreach Ministries,
Recreational, Vocational
– Provide opportunities for kids to discover
new hobbies or even find careers
• Contain Information and
Experiential components
AY
Honors
• Make the AY Classwork worthwhile & fun
• Provide tangible rewards for learning --
honor / award patches
• Should be done with integrity
• Should be done actively, not as bookwork
• Do you really need to
test to discover what
they’ve learned?
Club
Morale
• Encourage & support positive staff morale
which happens through communication
and mutual support
• Provide clearly stated rules and
procedures that are administered
equitably
• Make club meetings active,
organized, and fun
• Help Pathfinders feel welcome
Club
Morale
• Involve Pathfinders and Adventurers in
activities with their friends
• Provide opportunities for meaningful
feedback (and follow through)
• Make sure each Pathfinder /
Adventurer has at least one
significant adult they can relate to
on personal & spiritual issues
Conference Events
• Pathfinder Fairs
– This is a special day for the Pathfinder Clubs of a
conference that takes place usually on a Sunday.
Club members are invited to come in uniform, bring
hobbies and exhibits, prepare various
demonstrations, etc.

• Who is Responsible for the Event?

– The conference youth ministries director is in
charge of the whole program and determines
the eventsw, floats, parade, booths, judges,
and location of the Pathfinder Fair.
Conference Events
• Pathfinder Camporee
– This is an occasion when clubs from the entire
conference come together for a period of two or
more days, for fellowship, inspiration, for exchange
of ideas and experience in developing camping skills
and other activities of junior youth ministry.

• Camporee provides:
– A time for camping, cooking & sleeping out
– A time of fun, adventure and exploration
– A time of hikes and nature walks
– A time to learn skills and thrills of working
– A time to draw near to God.
Pathfinder Rally
❑ Pathfinder rallies are times when clubs in a district or
conference come together on a Sabbath afternoon and
/or evening for fellowship and spiritual inspiration.
❑ The rally is conducted once each year, and is usually
held in a large public hall, church or auditorium.

❑ This is an ideal time for parents, friends, and

church members to share the inspiration of
Pathfinders.
❑ The rally is organized by the Area Pathfinder
Coordinator, who works with the conference
youth ministries director in making plans for the
event.
Special
Programs
❖Pathfinder Day (Pathfinder Sabbath)
❑Pathfinder Club leads out in the church
service taking charge of ALL aspects
• Flag Processional & Pledges
• Doing Special Music
• Calling for & Picking up the Offering
• Leading in Congregational Prayer
• Asking a Speaker in for the Sermon or
Someone(s) in the Club presenting the Sermon
NOTE: The order of varies by church
Special
Programs
❖Induction Ceremony
– Happens at the Beginning of the Year
– It is a ceremony to formally welcome new
Pathfinders to the organization
– Typically happens as a vespers or evening
service with Pathfinders, staff, & parents in
attendance
– The service typically includes a candle
ceremony which helps to explain the
symbols and meaning of Pathfindering
Special
Programs
❖Club Formal Inspection
– Director Calls Area Coordinator to Schedule
– Happens December - February
– EACH COORDINATOR DOES IT DIFFERENTLY
(Ask your’s what their expectations are)
– Entire Club Dresses in Class “A” Uniform
– Written Meeting Schedule Followed
• Includes AY Classwork & Honors
– Drill & Marching Demonstration
(standing movements & basic marching)
Special
Programs
❖Investiture (Award Ceremony)
– Concludes the Pathfinder Year
– Is usually held in the church or meeting place
– Is a showcase opportunity for Pathfinders to
demonstrate their accomplishments
– Contains a song service & worship thought
– Each club turns in a form to the
conference this weekend giving their 1st
& 2nd choice of dates in order to have a
conference representative in attendance
Special
Programs
❖Investiture (Award Ceremony)
– Master Guides present Progressive Class Rank
pins & insignia
– Honors earned during the year are presented
or read off if distributed earlier
– Supplies are ordered from AdventSource
• BE SURE TO ORDER 4-6 weeks BEFORE your
Investiture Date
Special Adventurer Public Events
❖ Induction / Family Blessing
❑ The Induction Service and Family Blessing is a stand-
alone service that can be done in the evening for
vespers or incorporated in an abbreviated format as part
of the Sabbath church service.
❖ Adventurer Sabbath
❑ The Adventurer Sabbath is usually a Sabbath
morning service completely done by
Adventurers, their families, and the Adventurer
staff.
❑ It is best if it happens mid-way through the
Adventurer club year. It is a great way to
remind the church of the club’s vibrant
existence.
❖ Adventurer Review
❑ Some clubs and conferences have considered, or
even practiced year-end testing or examination for
all Adventurers.
❑ The stakes are usually high -- the Adventurers don’t
receive their awards and pins unless they satisfy the
inquiries of the examiners.
❖ Investiture
❑ Investiture is the time of year when
Adventurers receive their class-level pin,
and awards. This event sometimes takes
place during a church service, sometimes as
part of an afternoon youth program, or as
an evening vespers program.
Service Events
❖ At the Church
❑ There are many ways that Adventurers can do service
for their local church. Planting flowers, acting as
greeters, helping parents with church tasks, and leading
in worship are all ways Adventurers do acts of service.
❖ In the Community
❑ Community service events make a difference for
those outside the church fellowship. Sometimes that
involves visiting elderly people, singing in
neighborhoods; sharing toys with those who don’t
have any; collecting shoes, toiletries, non-perishable
foods, or coats for charities; writing notes, emails,
texts, or cards to those unable to attend public
events, sharing Jesus books with neighbors, or
raising money for missions far away.
Campouts
❑ Campouts are a great way for your Adventurers to
experience God’s second book, nature.
❑ However, unlike in Pathfinder Clubs, Adventurer
clubs camp by families rather than units. This
allows whole families to participate in shared
experiences and learn outdoor skills. Planning for a
campout can be a year long quest!
❑ Camping for Adventurers is more basic than
with Pathfinders. Many clubs only camp for
a single night, and sometimes even set up
tents in a neighbor’s field or church yard, so
that restrooms and parking lots are nearby!
Closing Thoughts
❑. "A goal without a plan is just a wish." –
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
❑Planning isn’t just about filling a schedule—it’s
about creating a meaningful journey that guides
each Pathfinder and Adventurer toward knowing
Christ, serving others, and becoming equipped
for life.

❑With intentional and balanced

programming, we can foster a
community where young people grow
spiritually, physically, and practically.
Conclusion:
The Impact of the Master Guide
❑ "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when
he is old, he will not depart from it." – Proverbs 22:6.
❑ As Master Guides, you hold an incredible
responsibility and privilege. The planning and
programming you put into place today will shape the
hearts, minds, and faith journeys of young people for
years to come.
❑ Through intentional, Christ-centered
planning, you’re not just filling a
schedule—you’re building a foundation of
spiritual resilience, practical skill, and
servant leadership.
❑ Every activity, every honor earned, every moment in
worship and teamwork contributes to creating young
people who know they are loved by God, equipped to
face life’s challenges, and empowered to serve others.
You are mentors, role models, and guides. Through
structured, Christ-centered programming, you have the
chance to help young people discover their purpose in
God’s kingdom and to ignite a lifelong passion for serving
Him.
❑ Let this training inspire you to plan boldly, lead
faithfully, and create programs that leave an
eternal impact. Your dedication to shaping the
next generation in the way of Christ is a
powerful ministry, and each meeting, campout,
and devotional could be the moment that
changes a young person’s life forever.