THE PATH FINDER
December 2011
Publication of the Maritime Conference of the SDA Pathfinders
A Silly Nature Quiz (Flowers)
1. All the better to kiss you with.
2. How did she get out of her chair?
3. She is my Aunt's sister.
4. A spread for your biscuit and something for your tea.
5. A sophisticated roaring cat.
6. A crazy cartoon duck and a kosher pickle.
7. An amphibian noise and you and I.
8. The fifth month with a pretty blossom.
9. Vixen mittens.
10. A Christmas berry in a raptor's beak.
Answers will be at the end of the newsletter.
BIBLE BOWL
I hope you have all had a chance to read all the verses I sent to the clubs. Some have raised concerns about the amount of verses presented. I was recently reading that one Bible Bowl required the book of Recelation plus the commentaries to be read, They had a year to prepare. However to me that would be formidable. My purpose with these Bible Bowls is to aquaint our Pathfinders with a specific topic. That there were so many verses concerning creation surprised me.
Instead of studying all those verses, study the first two chapters of Genesis.
A quote from the " 2014 FOREVER FAITHFUL CAMPOREE NEWSLETTER"
Q: What are some statistics on pathfinders staying in the church as adults compared to those who were not pathfinders? - GT, Wisconsin
A: In the book, Why Our Teenagers Leave the Church, page 74 contains information on how youth participation in various church activities relates to retention 10 years later. Of the sample who were still in the church at the end of 10 years, 79% had been pathfinders. Of those who dropped out, 71% had been pathfinders. The difference is not large, but it is statistically significant. The reason we don't find large differences is that the majority of our teens do get involved in pathfinders whether or not they eventually remain in the church as adults. "Therefore, keep pushing pathfinders, the most successful youth ministry the church has ever had," according to Dr. Roger Dudley at the Institute of Church Ministry.
NEWS FROM THE CLUBS
From St. George:
Special events this month___We had our Pathfinder Induction on November 26 with our special Guest Paul Llewellyn, Youth Ministries Leader. We inducted 2 new pathfinders, 1 Adventurer and 1 Eager Beaver. We also inducted 2 pathfinders into the Teen Leadership (TLT) program.
In December our Pathfinder group will be delivering Fruit Baskets to people in our community, taking part in the St. George SDA Church Christmas Program on December 17 and on December 18 we will be going to St. John Aquatic Center for our Swimming Honors.
The Pathfinder Leader, Brenda Henry has taken another step toward her Master Guide by reading the book "Education".
WINTER CAMPING
A different experience. No blackflies or mosquitos and with my experience at camping the annoyance of insects is far greater than the cold. I have camped on the Prairies when it has been -50 degrees and I have been rained out in Nova Scotia. Never once did I regret going winter camping. Probably because I was properly trained in the Military for winter survival. It has been a great challenge.
The challenge for winter camping is to get as much counsel from those with experience. There are many books available (check your library) also the internet has a lot of help.
What I am going to write is based on my own experience. There have been times when I have been much colder then what it is like in my own bed but have always got a good night's rest. You will use a lot more energy in the winter so a good rest is important.
Food: Coco Puffs will not cut it for food. It takes up a lot of space and gives you empty calories. Rolled oats, Red River Cereal etc. fill you up and give you energy. Other filling foods are: dried fruit, nuts, vegies and vegetarian entres. It is important to carry light foods. Canned foods, bottled drinks will freeze and explode, fresh fruits, vegetables and eggs will also freeze.Plan a day by day menu and take a little extra.
Transport: A sleigh with a covered box built on it. You will be taking much more equipment. The tent, if you use one, needs to be winter camping approved. If you decide to build a snow fort you will need shovels. (Never go by yourself, you will not be able to diagnose hypothermia in yourself. Keep an eye on each other for signs) There will be a more detailed account of this condition later.
Make a set plan as to where you are going to camp and make sure you tell as many people that you can trust where you are going and for how long. (Take a communication device.) A one night camp out is not advisable as that is not enough time to get climatized. Three would be the least that I would recommend. While in the army our plattoon winter camped at Shilo, Manitoba for twelve days. We were told later that for the whole time we were gone it never got above -30F. When I returned to the barracks it took a few days to get climatized to the heat.
NEVER SWEAT OR GET WET, if you do change immediately. Have a proper rated sleeping bag and don't stay in it for more than eight hours. Use as much wool clothing as you have. The Army Surplus will have shirts, sweaters, pants and socks. There are new materials being used for winter camping but check them out. I know wool is excellent. Get socks with more than sixty percent wool. If you start to sweat open just a few button or a zipper a little way, cool down slowly.
Your shelter may be a winterized tent but they are heavy. A snow lodge is probably the best along with caves dug into snow drifts. (Check the weather forcast for when you plan to camp.) Snow may not be available at the time you decide to camp so use your judgement and be wise.
HYPOTHERMIA is a condition in which core temperature drops below the required temperature for normal metabolism and body functions. If exposed to cold and the internal mechanisms are unable to replenish the heat that is being lost, a drop in core temperature occurs. As body temperature decreases characteristic symptoms occur such as shivering and mental confusion.
PREVENTION: Appropiate clothing helps to prevent hypothermia. Synthetic and wool fabrics are superior to cotton as they provide better insulation when wet and dry.
From Zealand:
Pictures of our Induction Service on Nov. 5, 2011.
