710 participates in the Davao Mission Pathfinder Camporee

October 29, 2013 • in News & Events

“Lipay kaayo ko nga nakaapil sa camping. Kamo lipay ba mo?” (I am very happy to have joined the camping. How about you, are you happy, too?), said one young camper when asked by documentation staff on how it feels to be in this camporee.

Young campers, composed of 4th-6th graders of the Adventist Elementary schools in Davao Mission thronged the Boy Scout of the Philippines Camp in Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City for the four-day Pathfinder Camporee with the theme, Love-Live-Lead.

With Typhoon Zorayda threatening the opening night on November 12, the camporee directorate postponed the program to the afternoon of November 13, thus giving everyone a great treat–a wonderful sunny afternoon for the Parade and Review, which featured 11 schools participating.

Digos Center Adventist Elementary School came in with 107 and the biggest delegation. Coming in next was Royal Valley Adventist Elementary School with 78. This was followed by Davao City Central Adventist Elementary School with 77. Tagum Adventist Elementary School with 70 participants while Adventist Elementary School of Digos City was with 63 delegates. This was followed by Compostela Adventist Elementary School with 44 participants. Lams Learning Center came with 43, 39 from SPAC Elementary Department, 27 from Laak Adventist Elementary School, 19 from Nordida Adventist Elementary School, and 5 from Sta. Maria Adventist Elementary School.

The delegations also were with 138 teachers and counselors.

“I hope and pray that you will always love God supremely, live with others harmoniously, so that you will lead others for Christ courageously,” challenged camp director, Cheryl Lin-ao, who is the director of Education of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Davao region.

Pastor Edwin Magdadaro, executive secretary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Davao region in his keynote message, “I want everyone to enjoy! Make new friends and treasure the friendship. This you have to do not just for yourself but for the glory of God!”

Campers involved themselves in knot-tying, cookery, marching and drill, and the different ballgames. Extra challenge activities made the camp more enjoyable as campers would line the cues to dash through the pendulum obstacles, wall climbing and rappelling, and flying fox. Of course, there were the songs and yell, religious musical presentations, and fancy drills.

“It was my very first try to ride the flying fox! Finally! I have conquered my fear!” exclaimed one of the counselors!

The camporee should have ended on November 17 had it not been for Typhoon Zorayda’s threat on November 12. With this, the camp break was held on November 18 with Pastor Jerry Patalinghug, president of the Adventist Church in the Davao region, challenging each one to do more for the Lord.