If you attended a SDA church or school, then you remember Pathfinders! Marching, the lovely colored t-shirts, class-A uniforms, honor patches, ‘Oh we are the Pathfinder strong…’ then you know what I’m talking about. As for you non-SDAs, Pathfinders is a community service oriented youth organization of our church. A.K.A….boy scouts!
Well, here at EIS, all students, grades 3-8, are required to take Pathfinders as a class. Once a week, my 7th graders dress up in their uniforms: pants, socks (with logo), black shoes, sash (with logo), belt (with logo), dress shirt (with logo and lots of pockets), and practice their drills, marches, pledges and various other activities to help move them up into the next ‘class’; Eagar Beaver, Busy Bees, Adventurers…
Anyway, I had the pleasure of attending this year’s 7th grade Pathfinder Campout. One thing different about this ‘Campout’ was the fact that we stayed at a really nice resort in the eastern part of Thailand. The resort had tons of activities for the kids to do and use to earn their honor patches. I was in charge of the biking honor, which was a treat for sure! These kids grew up in the city, so for a lot of them, this was one of their first exposures to hills, dirt roads, and physical activity. I quickly learned that their hyperactivity level only lasted half-way up a hill and about 5 minutes into a ride. Other than bike riding, they got to run through a challenge course, climb an artificial rock, kayak, swim, hike to a near by waterfall, explore a cave and play lots of campfire games.
All in all, it was a great time. I mean, what beats inspecting girls rooms, making sure they’re all in bed and not sneaking around late into the night/morning, traveling on a bus with 115 hormonal 12-13 year olds, all while wearing a Pathfinder uniform?! TIT…This is Thailand!
Well, here at EIS, all students, grades 3-8, are required to take Pathfinders as a class. Once a week, my 7th graders dress up in their uniforms: pants, socks (with logo), black shoes, sash (with logo), belt (with logo), dress shirt (with logo and lots of pockets), and practice their drills, marches, pledges and various other activities to help move them up into the next ‘class’; Eagar Beaver, Busy Bees, Adventurers…
Anyway, I had the pleasure of attending this year’s 7th grade Pathfinder Campout. One thing different about this ‘Campout’ was the fact that we stayed at a really nice resort in the eastern part of Thailand. The resort had tons of activities for the kids to do and use to earn their honor patches. I was in charge of the biking honor, which was a treat for sure! These kids grew up in the city, so for a lot of them, this was one of their first exposures to hills, dirt roads, and physical activity. I quickly learned that their hyperactivity level only lasted half-way up a hill and about 5 minutes into a ride. Other than bike riding, they got to run through a challenge course, climb an artificial rock, kayak, swim, hike to a near by waterfall, explore a cave and play lots of campfire games.
All in all, it was a great time. I mean, what beats inspecting girls rooms, making sure they’re all in bed and not sneaking around late into the night/morning, traveling on a bus with 115 hormonal 12-13 year olds, all while wearing a Pathfinder uniform?! TIT…This is Thailand!
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