Camporee History
1985 - Camp Hale
On July 31, 1985, 16,129 Pathfinders from around the NAD filled up the mountainous valley at Camp Hale, Colorado. Being the first NAD camporee, it took quite a bit of organizing to pull off. 1500 people volunteered their time and efforts to help make this camporee a reality.
BMX biking, rock climbing, and archery were just a few of the activities available to the Pathfinders at the camporee. A circus bear was even brought in as a special event!
A few days later, on August 6, the Pathfinders packed up their belongings to head back home. It had been an adventurous week, but completely worth it!
Theme Song:
• Spanish •
1989 - Friendship Camporee
In 1989, after the NAD voted to not host another national camporee, the Columbia Union and youth director Ron Streeter sponsored 12,032 Pathfinders from 509 clubs to meet in Mt. Union, Pennsylvania.
Instead of a national camporee, the Friendship Camporee was open as an International Camporee, paving the way for the large worldwide camporees held today.
Theme Song:
1994 - Dare to Care
In 1994, 12,232, Pathfinders, representing 23 countries, came to the Bandimere Speedway outside of Denver, Colorado. Originally, the camporee was to be held on a private farm. However, after the incident in Waco, Texas with David Koresh, the original property owners rescinded their offer to host the camporee. Despite initial concerns, after attending a conference youth rally at the Denver First SDA Church, the owners of the speedway offered to host camporee on their property.
Theme Song:
1999 - Discover the Power
In 1999, over 21,000 Pathfinders from 53 different countries came to the first camporee held at the Experimental Aircraft Association property in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The camporee sold out of tickets in March of 1999, six months before the event. God protected this camporee, as a storm was headed directly towards the campground, He split the storm, causing it to go around the campers. By the end of the week, over 150 people had been baptized.
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2004 - Faith on Fire
In 2004, 31,000 Pathfinders from 83 countries returned to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the Faith on Fire Camporee. This camporee was affectionately nicknamed "The Winter Camporee" due to the record low temperatures faced by the Pathfinders. Despite the cold weather, 10,000 Pathfinders kept warm by participating in community service projects, and another 296 were baptized.
Theme Song:
2009 - Courage to Stand
In 2009, more than 36,000 Pathfinders once again came to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the Courage to Stand Camporee. By the end of the event, 518 Pathfinders committed themselves to Christ through baptism and personal commitment.
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2014 - Forever Faithful
In 2014, 50,000 Pathfinders from 65 different countries gathered back in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the Forever Faithful Camporee. Over 600 Pathfinders were baptized during the week, and over 2000 more went home and began studying for baptism.
2019 - Chosen
In 2019, 55,000 Pathfinders from 105 countries returned to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the Chosen Camporee. Two world records were set: the largest human cross, and the largest neckerchief/woggle. But the ultimate highlight was the 1320 Pathfinders that were baptized during the week and the thousands more who went home to study for baptism.
2024 - Believe the Promise
In 2024, over 58,000 Pathfinders travelled to Gillette, Wyoming for the Believe the Promise Camporee. Despite ending early due to a severe storm threat, over 1100 Pathfinders were baptized that week, and over 200 more returned home to study for baptism.
Theme Song:
2029 - Stand Strong
Stay tuned!