From July 11th to 13th, the 30th anniversary of the Pathfinders’ Club Bulgaria was celebrated with great solemnity at the Vurhovrah Hut in the Rhodope Mountains, coinciding with the National Pathfinders Campmeeting.
The National Camp Meeting, held from July 4th to 13th under the inspiring motto "Choose Your Path," culminated in a shared celebration that united both young and older members, all bearers of the Pathfinder promise and spirit. Over 400 guests attended the club's milestone anniversary, including more than 120 Pathfinders aged 11 to 15, along with past and present leaders from the Bulgarian Union and visitors from the Inter-European and Euro-Asian divisions.
The young Pathfinders who participated in the national campmeeting had the opportunity to engage deeply with the story of Joseph, surrounded by a vibrant atmosphere of games and workshops themed around "Egypt." On Friday evening, over 30 of these young individuals made their official commitment as Pathfinders in front of an audience that included their predecessors and anniversary guests. Many of the current Pathfinders, who have grown up in this nurturing environment, shared tearful, joyful farewells, accompanied by enthusiastic waving of ties. All attendees, along with the club leaders, expressed their pride and gratitude to God for the legacy of youth that has forged a familial bond over the past 30 years.
The Pathfinders’ Club is a global organization established by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, inviting adolescents aged 11 to 15 to deepen their personal relationship with Christ while acquiring survival skills, learning teamwork, and fostering a healthy lifestyle. The club laid its foundation in Bulgaria in 1995 with the first national training for leaders, conducted by José Figols, then head of the Pathfinders’ Club for Europe. Today, the club boasts nearly 2 million members worldwide. During the 30th anniversary celebration, a temporary museum showcased the history of Pathfinders Bulgaria, featuring a collection of ties from various countries, uniforms, patches, and photographs documenting the Bulgarian delegation's participation in both national and international camporees. The solemn program on Sabbath morning included heartfelt personal stories and experiences shared by Pathfinders active during different eras of the club's journey.
Following the Sabbath evening service, Dimitriy and Elena Zakharenko, members of the management team of the Pathfinders Club in Belarus, extended their congratulations on the anniversary. They expressed a desire for the Belarusian delegation to connect with their Bulgarian counterparts and conveyed their appreciation for the continuity and inspiration received from the campers and leaders in Bulgaria.
Among the special guests at the anniversary were Erik Hook and his sister, Megali Hook. Erik showcased a prototype of a video game he developed, titled "Crown of Life," which aims to unite local clubs worldwide while creatively narrating biblical stories. The game is currently available for download at www.erikhook.com.
The highlight of the program was the presentation of awards earned by Pathfinders and leaders throughout the year and during the camp. Pathfinders could achieve up to four honors from a selection of eleven categories, which included pottery, horse breeding, beekeeping, basketry, agriculture, bread baking, travel, stars, muscles and joints, camp safety, and patriarchs and prophecies. Several leaders also advanced in their ranks. The results of the Scout Master competition, held for the second consecutive year, were announced. This multi-component contest tested essential camp skills, such as fire starting, first aid, knot tying, plant and mushroom identification, animal tracking, and biblical knowledge. A team from Stara Zagora emerged as the inaugural winners in this format, while the current Scout Master titleholders hail from Plovdiv.
