The Pathfinder Club, or simply Pathfinders, is a department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA), which works specifically with the cultural, social and religious education of children and adolescents located in the age group between 10 and 15 years. Part of the official program of the Adventist Church since 1950. Globally the Pathfinder Club is part of the church's youth ministry. An estimat
ed 38% of Adventist youth aged 18 and under "Are members of Pathfinders or a similar church-sponsored youth group", according to a 2002 worldwide survey of local church leaders. History: The first step towards the organization of the Pathfinders Club within the Adventist Church in 1907 when the Department of Youth Missionary Volunteer ( Volunteer Missionary Society ) was established under the leadership of Pastor M.E. Samuthram in 1958, founder of the "Society of Missionary Volunteers" in Malaysia. In 1909 are the first organized societies Missionary Volunteer Youth (MVY), and in 1914 developed the first lessons to be MVJ's, that would be the precursor of the progressive classes Pathfinder. In 1911 the embryos are formed from the Pathfinder club in Takoma Park, Maryland. Three clubs were formed in Takoma Park in 1911, they were: "Scouts Missions", "Woodland Clan & Pals" and "Takoma Indians". Were characterized by only accepting registration for boys. In 1919 Arthur Spalding founded the club "Scouts Missionaries", in Madison County, Tennessee. Spalding studied the organization, made compatible with the spiritual goals of the Adventist Church (feature that was not initially adopted by clubs from Takoma Park), rules and created the outline of the movement. The "Scouts Missionaries" developed the fundamental ideals for the current club of pathfinders. In 1929 for the first time the name "pathfinder" on a schedule of juvenile SDA is utilized. The Association of Southern California promotes a camp for Youth Missionary Volunteer, and entitles the camp "pathfinder". And the same Association (Southern California) in 1946, unilaterally and formalizes shall sponsor the program, with its first prototype recognized club, being tested in Riverside, California. Alongside the experience in California, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, in 1950, program formalizes the club, and adopts a uniform, a hymn (composed in 1947 by Henry Bergh) and a flag (made by Helen Hobbs in 1948) for the official new department. The name was adopted for the program "Youth Club - Missionary Volunteer". Between 9–11 October 1953, the Southern Association of New England promoted the first Pathfinder Camporee in Ashburnham, Massachusetts. Since then this has been the main camp and form of interaction between Pathfinder clubs worldwide. Since the formalization of the movement as the SDA program, it has undergone some upgrades, the most significant being: (1958) Development of progressive classes;
(1959) Development of physical and moral classes (gold and silver medals); (1976) Addition of "masters" to the curriculum of the club; (1982) The global emblem Missionary Volunteer is replaced by the Pathfinder world emblem, and the name Missionary Volunteer falls into disuse; (1988) the first overhaul of the curriculum Pathfinder is made. In 2001 it was recorded that there were over 2 million pathfinders in the world, and 90.000 clubs in over 150 countries. Philosophy and Objectives
The Pathfinder Club is centered in the "physical-mental-spiritual tripod", which develops activities to meet the needs and interests of children and adolescents between 10 and 15 years old, with a specific focus on this age group religious program. Much of the Pathfinder Club program is built around physical activities. According to the Pathfinder club manual, the focus on it is explained because "young people between 10 and 15 years old are at a stage of growth and very rapid physical development.". According to the philosophy of the club activities involving action, adventure, challenge and group activities "provide opportunities for the development of new attitudes and skills that produce personal growth, team and community spirit," which yet according to philosophy of the program, part of the tripod of "citizenship and loyalty" that preaches respect for "God, His creation, and His church." While the Pathfinder Club exists primarily for the youth, one of its primary purposes is to also meet parents and church members through an active involvement with the club. The purpose of this involvement is correct (or suppress) the gap between generations approaching youth and adults to work and have fun together in a bond of common experience. The whole philosophy Pathfinder is built on the premise that "juveniles and children learn best by example, instead of the precepts." The way they see the leaders and parental values is used as a spiritual and social role model. With this is expected to develop high moral principles, attitudes of love, care and determination, these startling in all the activities. The educational philosophy of the club, also emphasized that youth learn more effectively in a positive, happy and secure atmosphere. According to the General Conference of SDA, "the attitude of the leaders of the club is therefore vital to ensure the success and effectiveness of this ministry for youth ingredient, because it will be one of the main models to be followed by juveniles." Leadership role
Neckerchief Pathfinder Club
The leadership role is to "help young people understand and love God and to watch over the church and the next." According to the Manual of the Pathfinder club, the goals and duties of the leadership of the club are:
"Encourage Pathfinders to discover their God-given potential and use their gifts and skills to meet the expectations of the plan of salvation";
"Inspire them to give personal expression of their love for God, uniting with other youth in various extension activities";
"Becoming number one priority club program the personal salvation of every Pathfinder";
"Building on the groundbreaking appreciation for a healthy life (enjoy outdoor activities) and cultivate in them a love for God's creation";
"Teach the groundbreaking immersive and interactive skills in order to make the time and talents of the most significant youth";
He should "encourage the Pathfinder to keep physically fit, and teaches them to take care of your body and establish habits that will give your health benefits";
"Provide opportunities for development of leadership by encouraging club members working together and sharing the responsibilities of leadership.";
"And aim to promote the harmonious development of pathfinder, taking care of all necessary aspects, be they physical, social, intellectual and spiritual." Organization
Each Pathfinder club is run by a director of the club, vice-principals, counselors, instructors, chaplain, secretary and treasurer. The administrative offices of the club require that trained people are occupying the function. The General Conference Youth Department instructs that are preferentially leaders invested - 18 years who have completed the "Class Leader" - or at least they are fulfilling the requirements of the Class Leader. The club is divided into separate units, classified by sex and age. Each unit has an average of six or eight pathfinders, accompanied by an counselor, who is their leader. The unit functions as a cell of the club, or "micro-club" because it also develops an administrative organization chart with a captain and a secretary, and develop practical and theoretical activities through interaction among its members. Clubs are also organized into "regional", which act as groups of various clubs. Usually has the authority to develop a longer term activities (the example of camporees), demanding more effort and planning, also supporting the club through "regional team". The regional is coordinated by a regional coordinator, usually a leader invested. On a broader scope is the local coordination of fields Pathfinders (missions, associations, unions and divisions), which, as well as regional, has the mandate to coordinate activities that require more planning, besides answering the General Conference for all activities and work done in your geographic region. Activities developed
Various activities are carried out in the club program, and subdivided according to the educational tripod club, focusing on the physical, mental and spiritual.
