*Article I wrote for the school newsletter*

Obiyan Beach 8th Grade Pathfinder Camp Out 11/19/10

Growing up, I remember fondly going on Pathfinder camp outs. They were usually in the fall, and the smells and sounds and feelings I experienced are still with me. I remember the smell of a camp fire permeating the material of a favorite hoodie, the feel of hot cider in a paper cup warming my hands, the crackling of leaves underfoot; The steam of my breath in the morning and the cool, musty smell of a log turned over as we searched for critters. All these things are memories I hold dear to me.

So it was quite a contrast then, to go to sleep with the sound of waves gently lapping against the shore at Obiyan beach; to go snorkeling on Friday afternoon before supper instead of throwing around the ‘ole pigskin; to wake up sweaty, rather than shivering.

Some things were different, but there were many things that I couldn’t help but chuckle at how similar they were. For example, the kids all ravenously devoured enormous quantities of food for supper and breakfast. There was the usual drama that characterizes the relationships between adolescent boys and girls. There were the pranks, the sleepy conversations, and the bonding that all help to make Pathfinders such an important influence in the lives of youth around the world. It was interesting to see just how similar young people are, no matter where they happen to be.

Friday night, Mr. Odiyar led us in a thought provoking worship about how God reveals Himself to us through nature, and many of the kids shared how this was relevant to their lives. In addition to the serious side, there were a lot of just plain fun things that we did. That night, a few of them couldn’t sleep and stayed up all night with us chaperones. Mr. Odiyar fended off an ant attack, and we went hunting for shrews and bugs. We found an uncomfortably plentiful population of these, in addition to a rather large green lizard who was not altogether enthusiastic about being woken up at 4:00 AM. Sabbath morning eventually came and (after disposing of a massive spider that had spent the night with Mrs. Calla) we had church and a scavenger hunt for hidden letters spelling out ‘CREATION’. Everyone had a great time, and nobody wanted to be the first one to leave.

Seeing God in action in the lives of young people is a beautiful thing, and I thank Him for the privilege of playing a part in these important years. It is my hope that the time they spend in Pathfinders is as beneficial for them as it was for me.