Sojourners Pathfinder Handbook Template

Introduction

!!!! We’re so glad your child wants to be part of our club!
The purpose of this guide is to give you a basic overview of what we do at Pathfinders and help you know what to expect from our club. We have a great year of activities planned and look forward to getting to know you and your Pathfinder better!
If you don’t find the information you need here, our staff is ready to provide additional information.

Our Club Mission

The mission of the Sojourners Pathfinder Club is to encourage each Pathfinder to:

Develop a love for the Lord and a desire to serve Him
Develop common sense and be responsible
Develop an attitude of service, unselfishness, and leadership

We do this by providing a fun, safe environment with caring, patient staff, who will mentor each Pathfinder as they:

Study scripture and worship
Participate in physical activities and games outdoors
Serve others during "share your faith" activities
Experience nature during campouts and outings
Learn new skills and hobbies through honors

Meetings and Events

Our regular club meetings are the first three Wednesdays of each month from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Bellevue Church Fellowship Hall.

Field uniform should be worn the first two meetings each month, and Dress Uniform the third meeting each month.

We have two to three weekend campouts each Pathfinder year.

Annual events include:

Induction
Investiture
Pathfinder Sabbath
High Point Outings
Pathfinder Bible Experience
Fund-raisers

Please check your Pathfinder Calendar and club email updates regularly. Additional information can also be found at:
www.sojournersonline.org

How Are We Organized?

Pathfinders are divided into groups of four to six Pathfinders called units.

Each unit has:

A staff counselor
Guidance and mentoring
Supervision during all club functions

Girls are led by women counselors and boys by men.

Our Teen Leadership Training (TLT) program provides additional leadership opportunities for experienced Pathfinders.

Uniforms

General

We wear uniforms to:

Create unity
Promote equality
Encourage pride in the club

No jewelry should be worn at Pathfinder meetings or events.

Field Uniform

Boys and Girls

Field shirt (teal polo supplied by club)
Jeans or dark pants
Tennis shoes or sturdy outdoor shoes

Full Dress Uniform

Girls

Khaki shirt
Sash
Scarf and slide
Black skirt (knee length or longer) or black dress pants for campouts
Black nylons or socks
Black dress shoes

Boys

Khaki shirt
Sash
Scarf and slide
Black slacks and belt
Black socks
Black dress shoes

The club loans:

Khaki shirt
Polo shirt
Scarf
Slide

Fees and Dues

The annual registration fee is $30, part of which goes toward uniform costs and getting the club started for the year.

Monthly dues are $15 [Oct - May] these help pay for honors, classwork etc.,

These may be paid in full $150 at the start of the year, or parents can encourage their Pathfinder to be responsible for paying their dues each month.

Campouts and other outings will have an additional charge (typically $45 per event).

Our club also receives funding from the Bellevue and Kirkland churches which helps with club expenses. Please be sure to let a director know if expenses are prohibiting your involvement with Pathfinders. We are able to generate scholarships on a need basis, and don't want anyone to be excluded because of financial reasons.

Pathfinder Song

Oh, we are the Pathfinders strong,

The servants of God are we.

Faithful as we march along,

In truth and purity.

A message to tell to the world,

A truth that will set us free!

King Jesus the Savior's coming back,

For you, and me!

Merit System Details

The Sojourners Pathfinder Club uses a merit system. Each Pathfinder is responsible for his or her behavior and actions.

Pathfinders have the opportunity to earn 10 merit points at each meeting and outing.

Point system:

One point for Attendance
One point for Arriving on time (at fall in)
Two points for Complete uniform and neatness of appearance
Three points for Obedience/orderly conduct
Three points for Spirit/participation

The points available each month will vary depending on the number of scheduled club activities.

High Point Outing

The High Point Outings (HPOs) are designed to reward Pathfinders who show outstanding merit. To be eligible to attend a high point outing, Pathfinders must have a minimum of 90% of the possible merit points for the previous semester. The club has two outings each year, one around January and one around May or June. Point accumulation for the end-of-the-year outing starts fresh at mid-year.

Extra Points

Extra points may be earned by earning Christian outreach honors. A maximum of 8 points may be earned by completing an honor, and only one honor will count toward extra points per semester. A list of eligible honors will be distributed. Completed honor work should be turned into the Pathfinder's counselor at least 2 weeks prior to the high point outing for consideration. Other extra points may be earned at the discretion of the Pathfinder directors.

Absences and Tardiness

Illness, family emergency, travel, required school trips, or other staff-approved absences are excused. Each Pathfinder may have one excused absence per semester in cases of large amounts of homework given on Wednesday night. Parents need to provide written notification to the Pathfinder's counselor for all excused absences.

End of Year Awards Requirements

Our club has some great awards for Pathfinders who show outstanding behavior during the year.

Please see below for the requirements for earning these awards, which are presented at the Investiture Service at the end of the year.

We want as many Pathfinders as possible to receive the Good Conduct Award, and we encourage all of our Pathfinders to strive for the Pathfinder of the Year Award.

Good Conduct Award Requirements

Awarded to Pathfinders who:

Are active members for at least one year.
Have a complete dress uniform.
Have an excellent attendance record (90%) and maintain at least 95% of available points.
Have a conduct record consistent with the Pathfinder Pledge and Law.
Demonstrate courteous, kind, obedient behavior at home, school, church, and within the club.
Show progress in Pathfinder classwork and complete the class level being studied for the year.

Pathfinder of the Year Requirements

To be considered for Pathfinder of the Year, a Pathfinder must:

Be present and on time to at least 90% of club meetings and outings while earning 100% of available points.
Always wear a complete, clean, and neat uniform (field or dress as requested).
Maintain a clean and neat personal appearance.
Be courteous, kind, and maintain a positive attitude at Pathfinders, school, and church.
Demonstrate spiritual growth through church attendance (Bible study and worship service) and participation in the club's Share Your Faith activities.
Attend all conference Pathfinder functions (Camporee, Pathfinder Fair, etc.).
Complete both regular and advanced classwork during the year.
Complete at least four new honors during the current Pathfinder year.

Advanced classwork requires completion of all classwork sections for the Pathfinder's level.

Bylaws

Membership

Members must be ages 10 (by January 1) through 15, or receive prior approval from club leadership.
Pathfinders over age 15 may remain in the club through the Teen Leadership Training (TLT) program, assisting staff and younger Pathfinders.

Attendance

Members must maintain faithful attendance.
Regular participation is essential for receiving the full benefit of the Pathfinder program.
According to the Pathfinder Staff Manual, after three unexcused absences from scheduled Pathfinder events, a Pathfinder may be removed from club membership.

Excused Absences

Illness
Family vacations
Business travel

Registration Fee

A $30 registration fee is required.

Each Pathfinder receives both a dress uniform and a field uniform.
Pathfinders are expected to wear uniforms at all Pathfinder activities and outings.
Pathfinders are responsible for maintaining uniforms in good condition and replacing any lost or damaged items.

Dues

Club dues are $8 per month.
Most families pay September through May in advance ($72).

Parent Support

Parents must support club activities, requirements, and staff.

Conduct

Pathfinders are expected to follow staff direction and comply with the merit system at all times.
Members are expected to participate in regular meetings, outings, fundraisers, drilling and marching, Share Your Faith activities, Pathfinder Sabbaths, and community service activities.
Members must learn and live according to the Pathfinder Pledge and Law.
Members may not leave meetings early without permission from their counselor.

Outings

Pathfinder outings are intended for Pathfinder members only, although parents are often welcome to attend with staff approval.
To attend club outings, Pathfinders must be current on dues.
To attend club outings, Pathfinders must have attended or received excused absences for the two previous meetings.
Any guests attending an event must be approved in advance by the club director.

Modesty Standards

At all Pathfinder events, no tight-fitting or immodest clothing is allowed.
Only natural-looking makeup and nail polish are allowed.

Miscellaneous

No gum or candy at meetings unless authorized by staff.

No Public Displays of Affection (PDA), including:

Hand holding
Hugging
Similar behaviors

No electronics or cell phones

Electronics, MP3 players, and cell phones must be turned in to a counselor during club activities.

Unit Captain, Scribe, and Unit Names

Units elect a captain and scribe at the beginning of the year, preferably by anonymous vote.

Unit Captain Responsibilities

Set a positive example during attention and group activities.
Remind the unit to line up quickly and remain quiet.
Carry the guidon flag during dress uniform marching.

Unit Scribe Responsibilities

Record attendance.
Record tardiness.
Record uniform points.
Assist the captain and counselor.

Unit Names

Units may choose a guidon and unit name.

Older units choose first.
Units may adopt a new name if all members agree.
New names must be approved by a club director.
Names should reflect positive aspects of nature, the Bible, and the goals of the club.

Unit Nights

One or two Unit Nights may be scheduled each year.

Purpose of Unit Night

Build unit relationships.
Strengthen connections between counselors and Pathfinders.
Provide wholesome, interactive fun.

Guidelines

Approximately $10 per person is usually available.
Two adults accompany the unit.
One adult is often a parent volunteer.
Include prayer or a short worship.
No movies.
Plans must be submitted to directors at least one week in advance.

Campouts

Sojourners campouts combine spiritual worship, outdoor skills, and recreation.

Campout Rules

Always have a buddy.
Always get permission from your counselor.
Follow staff instructions.
Practice the Pathfinder Law through kindness, honesty, helpfulness, and pure language.

Tent Rules

No food in tents.
No shoes in tents.
No fires near tents.
Always zip tents closed to keep insects out.
No wheeled or hard suitcases in tents, these damage the floor.

Pocket Knives and Sticks

Use responsibly.

No play fighting.
No throwing objects.
Close knives while walking.
Use common sense at all times.

Safety Rule

Every cut should be directed away from yourself and others.

Cleanliness

Clean up after yourself.
Pick up litter whenever you see it.

Families Attending Campouts

Families are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Inform a director in advance.
Pathfinders remain under supervision of Pathfinder staff.
Notify a counselor before taking a Pathfinder away from activities.
No dogs or other pets.
Families are welcome to eat with the group.

Campout fees are typically about $45 per person for the weekend.

Recommended Camping Gear

Pocket knife:

Any reasonable-quality model is suitable.

Suggested brands:

Swiss Army Knife (Tinker model recommended)
Spyderco Ladybug
Leatherman Multi-tools

Expect to spend approximately $20-$30 for a quality knife.

What Not to Bring

For safety and health reasons, Pathfinders should not bring:

Handheld gaming devices
Computers
DVD players
Cell phones
Skateboards
Jewelry
Pets
Unauthorized knives
Guns
Ammunition
Fireworks
Tobacco
Alcohol
Illegal drugs
Vehicles
Tarot cards
Ouija boards
Other occult items

Marching

Drill and marching are used to encourage cooperation, discipline, and teamwork.

Marching is practiced approximately 15 to 20 minutes during most meetings.

Levels

Basic

Beginning marching skills.

Advanced

Requires mastery of:

Left face
Right face
About face
Proper marching discipline

Pathfinders distracting others may be reassigned to the basic level temporarily.

The goal is for all Pathfinders to progress into the advanced level.

No Puh Duh!

Pathfinders is a Public Display of Affection (PDA) free zone.

What This Means

No hand holding.
No arms around each other.
No similar displays of affection.

Pathfinders is intended to provide a wholesome environment for building friendships.

Violations May Result In

Loss of points.
Disciplinary action.
Being sent home from an event or campout.

Please remember: No Puh Duh!

No Electronics

No electronics are allowed at Pathfinder meetings, campouts, or activities.

This helps maintain focus on:

Spiritual training
Mental development
Physical growth

Prohibited Items

Cell phones
MP3 players
Similar electronic devices

Cell Phones

Pathfinders may carry phones while traveling.

Upon arrival, Pathfinders may contact parents and then must turn phones over to counselors or directors.

Counselors can contact parents in emergencies.

Cameras

Cameras are encouraged when used respectfully and without causing distractions.

Camera functions on cell phones may be used with permission and then returned to a counselor.

Information for Counselors

Be Present

Aim for 100% attendance.

If you will be late or absent:
- Inform a director or deputy director.
- Ensure substitute supervision is arranged.
- Explain your absence to your unit.
Build Relationships
- Greet each Pathfinder individually.
- Learn about their interests and activities.
- Show interest in their lives.
Conduct Meaningful Unit Time

Include:
- Prayer requests
- Prayer
- Merit point review
- Encouragement and unit goals
Wear the Proper Uniform

Counselors should model the standards expected of Pathfinders.
Help Pathfinders Behave

Assist Pathfinders in:
- Standing properly
- Remaining attentive
- Following instructions
Support other units when appropriate.
Never Scold

Step A

Give a gentle reminder.

If that fails, send the Pathfinder to:
- Director
- Deputy Director
- TLT Leader
- Another Counselor
Step B

Explain the concern privately and pray with the Pathfinder.

Step C

Refer continuing issues to the Director or Deputy Director.

Always consult leadership before using additional disciplinary measures.
Plan Ahead

Have activities prepared:
- Worships
- Stories
- Games
- Walks
- Skits
Especially during campouts.

Pray with your unit before bedtime.

Counselors, thank you for your service!

Please continue to pray for our counselors, as theirs is truly one of the most important roles in the club.

Resources

Sojourners Pathfinder Club

www.sojournersonline.org

Current club information, forms, calendars, photos, and announcements.

North American Division Pathfinder Ministry

www.pathfindersonline.org

Honor requirements, classwork information, and Pathfinder resources.

Center for Youth Evangelism

www.adventistyouth.org

Information about Adventist youth ministries and the International Pathfinder Camporee.