MANUAL - Pathfinders
WAY TO GO! Version 2THE ACTIVITY BASED PATHFINDER PROGRAMMANUALIndexPageBackground2A Biblical Foundation3Section One:An Overview5Section Two:Requirements6Section Three:Making the Program Work.7Section Four:Other parts to the Program9Section Five:Investiture9Section Six:Debriefing: The Vital Ingredient11Section Seven:Relational Leadership16ConclusionA Parting Word19Appendix20
WAY TO GO! Version 2 – MANUALBACKGROUNDPathfinders has continued to be the main ministry program for young people aged between 10 –15in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and has provided positive memories for thousands of peopleright throughout the world.To keep the Pathfinder program relevant and interesting to young people who live in a world that isconstantly changing, a group of youth specialists and educators were commissioned by the SouthPacific Division to devise a new approach to the Pathfinder curriculum.They believed that –1. Pathfinders enjoy doing things when they are involved and when it is fun!2. Pathfinders really learn by doing.3. Pathfinders enjoy learning when they can see that it is important to them.4. Pathfinders are very interested in God, provided He is presented to them in the rightway.5. The majority of Pathfinders want to give themselves to God and follow Him.Years of discussion and hard work have resulted in the program that you have before you, aprogram that seeks to keep Pathfinders on the 'cutting edge' of where young people are at!This program is called the Activities- based Pathfinder Program because that’s just what it is!This Manual is the first Revision of the Program. You will notice that we have tried to simplify theManual to make it easier for you to understand how this Program works. Plus we have changed thedesign and layout to make it more affordable for everybody.There are now more than 400 Pursuits on the CD (which has also been revised) for you to choosefrom.A huge thanks to the many who have made this dream a reality, especially to Lanelle Cobbin whohas lived and breathed this program for the past 10 years. Without her commitment this programwould have not been in its present format. Thanks Lanelle!Also a big thankyou to Mark Rosenberg from the SPD IT Department who has designed and setupthe CD. A mammoth task which has taken hundreds of hours!It is the prayer of the Committee who put this program together that it will be a means to turningour children’s hearts toward God and His ways.So Go ahead and enjoy the Program and grow your Pathfinders in God.Andrew KingstonAssociate Youth DirectorSouth Pacific Division2
WAY TO GO! Version 2 – MANUALA BIBLICAL FOUNDATION FOR ACTIVITY-BASED LEARNINGThe main philosophical foundation of this program is that it is based on Activity-based orExperiential learning and subsequent debriefing which is exactly the way God operates in much ofHis communication with humankind.Imagine Adam and Eve looking with wide eyed horror as God slaughtered those animals, skinnedthem, and then gently removing the hastily made fig leaf coverings, clothed them in ‘garments ofskin.’ (Genesis 3:21) The very first communication with Adam and Eve after sin involved an activitybased exercise. Huge themes were acted out before their eyes. They saw and smelt and sensedthings that would be forever etched in their minds.The Old TestamentThe same theme was amplified in the Passover service where a lamb or a goat that had been handreared was killed and its blood smeared on the door frames of their houses. They were to eat theroasted meat with bitter herbs and unleavened bread with their bags packed and their staff intheir hand, ready to go at a moments notice! (Exodus 12:1-11)Think of the huge meanings associated with this!Other activity-based or experiential learning experiences would include The covering cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. (Exodus 13:21) The Sanctuary Services. The Old Testament Feasts. Imagine Pathfinders building a little bush house tocelebrate the Feast of Tabernacles! Ezekiel doing all sorts of strange things! Shaving his head with a sword,(Ezekiel 5:1ff) lying on his side for days,( Ezekiel 4:4ff) and drawing pictureson clay tablets! (Ezekiel 4:1,2)It seems that God wanted people to really understand and sense what He is like and what He wasgoing to do to save humanity.How Jesus OperatedJesus used the same method of teaching in His ministry. You recall when John the Baptist’sdisciples came to Jesus wanting to know if He was the Messiah, Jesus did not answer immediately.The question hung in the air as the disciples saw Jesus at work, healing, comforting, encouragingand instructing. Then He said, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see. The blindreceive sight, the lame walk and the Good News is preached to the poor.’ (Matthew 11:2-5)The Lord’s Supper and the service of foot washing again are activity-based exercises where bigthemes are experienced and explored. Jesus actually commands us to engage in this activitybased service. ‘Now that I your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also should wash oneanother’s feet.’ (John 13:14)What about His parables? The Parable of the Sower. Every time his hearers saw a farmer planting seedthey would think of Jesus’ story.3
WAY TO GO! Version 2 – MANUAL The parable of the Ten Maidens. I guarantee that when the disciples werenext invited to a wedding, Jesus’ words rang in their ears.The pearl of Great Price. A story with a huge meaning. Walk past a JewelersShop with pearls on display and the disciples would remember the story Jesustold about the man who sold all that He had to buy this beautiful pearl.As Lawrence Richards, Christian educator says,‘To move up even to the re-statement level of learning, students must be led beyond listening.They must personally think through the meaning of Bible truths. They must toss the ideas aroundin their own minds to formulate and express them in their own words. For this kind of learning,the students have to participate, to express their own ideas and their own insights But thecreative teacher makes sure that his students take an active part in exploring meaning.’ (LarryRichards, Creative Bible Teaching, Chicago, Moody Press, 1973)DebriefingA vital part of activity-based learning is debriefing and it is interesting to observe that Jesus inHis ministry used this technique.‘When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then He took themwith Him and withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida.’ (Luke 9:10)The disciples had been involved in one of their first active learning exercises. They had visitedtowns and villages announcing the Kingdom of God. They had used the power Jesus had given themhealing the sick and driving out demons. They returned, eager to share their experiences, theirsuccesses and their failures. Jesus understanding this retreated to a quiet place where they hadtime to reflect on their efforts.Another example of debriefing is when Jesus talked to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.(Luke 24:13-35) Cleopas and his companion were bewildered, confused and discouraged over theevents of the past couple of days. Jesus, in disguise, walked up to them and noticing theirdiscouragement asked them what they had been discussing. It is significant to note that at firstJesus asked questions, which encouraged them to open up and share their feelings. They told himwhat had happened and how they felt by what had happened. When you think about it, Jesus wasencouraging and allowing them to debrief. Once that had happened, He led them to the next step,the step that led to their hearts ‘burning within them.’ (Luke 24:32)So really this program is following a God given method, the method God Himself has used in Hiscommunication with us here on earth, the method Jesus used over and over again – Activity orExperiential based Learning.4
WAY TO GO! Version 2 – MANUALSECTION ONEAN OVERVIEWThis Program is based on four things.1. It is activity-based in its learning style. That means that rather than relyingon theoretical bookwork, Pathfinders learn by being involved in active learning.2. It is carefully designed so values and attitudes can be readily internalised.3. It is based on activities called Pursuits*.4. It contains a wide selection of Pursuit choice so each club can implement aprogram that will suit themselves and their specific needs.5. It focuses on debriefing during and after each Pursuit as a vital component toactivity-based learning.* PURSUITS are the structured activities each Pathfinder participates in to be invested.They are each carefully designed to highlight a value, attitude or skill. There are differentcategories of Pursuits that highlight different valuesThe program includes: A CD Rom resource of more than 400 activity based programs (called Pursuits) for usewith your Pathfinder club. The CD ROM is web based and searcheable. Ownership of theCD Rom entitles the user to access internet updates, training and news on how to maximizethe ‘Way to Go’ program. A Manual which outlines the philosophy, background, organisation, regulations andleadership helps for planning, implementing and developing your program. A system for recording and recognising the achievement of Pathfinders. It includes a fullset of necessary forms and organisational aids. A Pathfinder journal for use by each Pathfinder. The journal serves as an official recordof the Pathfinder’s journey and provides the criteria for investiture. It is designed for thePathfinder to personalize and keep as a lasting memory of Pathfindering and therelationship with God that is developed as a result.What is Different? What is the Same?As you have read, the emphasis of the ‘Way to Go’ program is on activity and values based learning.It is built with fully resourced activities called ‘Pursuits’. It is a web-based program withcontinuous updates and regular new editions of CDs available.Apart from that everything else is much the same. Hall meetings, hikes, campouts, social andsports times, charity appeals, the uniform, investitures, conference and union programs are still allthere – and still form the foundation for all of Pathfindering. The Pathfinder structure remains.It is only the approach to the classwork that is different.5
WAY TO GO! Version 2 – MANUALSECTION TWOTHE REQUIREMENTSLet’s have a look at what is required to complete the program.A. THE YEARLY PROGRAM1.To run this program successfully a club needs to plan for a minimum of 230 hours of total clubtime for the year. That includes everything - hall meetings, camps, hikes, sports nights,conference events, - the lot!2. Of those 230 hours, 180 of them must be spent in outdoor/nature activities3. To be an effective club, you must meet at least once a month.In the appendix at the end of this Manual you will find a sample program. Have a look at it and youwill see how easy it is to get to those 230 hours for the year.B. THE PATHFINDER’S INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMTo be invested for each of the classes, each pathfinder will need to Participate in 40 hours of Pursuits. Know and understand 10 Bible texts Complete at least 2 honours Demonstrate a positive attitude to Pathfinders. Participate in the normal program of the clubFor a more detailed list of Investiture requirements, study the Investiture section on page 76
WAY TO GO! Version 2 – MANUALSECTION THREE.MAKING THE PROGRAM WORK.This is where it is easy to get a little confused, so read this bit carefully! Pursuits must be chosenaccording to Levels and Pathways. Here’s how it works:1. The LevelsThere are three Levels of Pursuits.Level One. Age 10 & 11.Level Two. Age 12 & 13.Level Three. Age 14 & 15.Friends and CompanionsExplorers and RangersVoyagers and GuidesMost Pursuits are designed for a specific Level. However some (see the rating at thebeginning of each Pursuit) can be used for multiple Levels or for those of you in a small club,run as a combined Pursuit. Just because a Pursuit is listed as a whole-club Pursuit, however,it does not mean that you need to implement it as such. If you have a larger Club and plantoo many whole-in a given Pathfinder year, it in effect means that you cannot repeat thePursuit for another 6 years, until your Level 1 Pathfinders have finished Level 3. Such arating simply means that it could be implemented at any of the Levels successfully. You maylike to keep this in mind in your planning.2. The PathwaysThe Pursuits are divided into 4 main categories called ‘Pathways’. They are:1.2.3.4.PursuitsPursuitsPursuitsPursuitsabout GODabout the COMMUNITY.about YOURSELF.about NATURE.As you choose the 40 hours of Pursuits for your Pathfinders to complete, keep in mind that youneed to have a spread of Pursuits from each of the 4 Pathways. To help you in this, the followingapplies. 8 hours of Pursuits must come from each of the 4 Pathways. That’s a total of 32hours, but remember you need 40 hours! So The final 8 hours of Pursuits comes from ANY of the Pathways. It is your choice.3. Choosing The PursuitsReview:When you go to choose the 40 hours of Pursuits, remember that: Levels relate to the age of the Pathfinder Pathways relate to what the Pursuits are about.As you choose your Pursuits, think of your Pathfinders. Where are they up to in their own personal journey?7
WAY TO GO! Version 2 – MANUAL What type of kids are they? Outdoor? Indoor? Quiet? Noisy?Girls or guys or both?Choose what you think they need rather than what you think they want!Put yourself in their shoes and choose Pursuits that you feel they will both learn from ANDenjoy!4. A Note on StrandsAn important developmental part of this program has been the concept of Strands. These arestages of development that Pathfinders progress through that are sometimes different from theactual age of the Pathfinder.Originally we included Strands as part of planning a balanced program, but we have seen thatA. It can be confusing and difficult to sort Pursuits by Levels, Pathways AND Strands and –B. Pathfinder directors naturally picked a healthy mix of Strands in their program planning. Inlight of this, while each Pursuit is tagged with a specific strand, there is no need to rigorouslybalance the strands as you select your Pursuits for the year.If you want to know more about Strands and their function, you will find more information in theAppendix.5. The JournalFor this program to be effective, each Pathfinder is expected to own and maintain a personalJournal. This is the place where the completion of each Pursuit is recorded; along with the yearlyPathfinder program and other records.The Journal includes – Pursuit record sheetsInvestiture requirementsSpace for the Bible passages to be learntInvestiture sign off sheetSpace for personal and club informationThis is a vital part of this program. It is the ‘official record’ of each Pathfinder’s activity, and may be requested forsighting by the investiture official, so please ensure that your Pathfinders care for their journal.8
WAY TO GO! Version 2 – MANUALSECTION FOUROTHER PARTS TO THE PROGRAMHonours.These are still an important part of this program. At least 2 will need to be completed each yearfor Investiture. You choose your own Honours, but be aware that in order to complete somePursuits, Honours will need to be completed as a prerequisite. In your selection, try an selectHonours that come from different categories each year.Memory Texts.Memorising Scripture is also included in this program. We want Pathfinders to learn to value andunderstand the Word of God. Pathfinders are to learn, know and understand 10 Bible texts everyyear. These are chosen by the level instructor from the list of Bible passages listed at thebeginning of every Pursuit. In order for this part of the program to be undertaken in the spirit oftruly ‘hiding God’s Word in our hearts’, we know you will want to ensure with your planning andimplementation that your Pathfinders not only know these verses in their long term memory, butthat they have a clear UNDERSTANDING of the texts they’ve learned.Club nightsYour club meetings can operate much the same as in the traditional program except that when youbreak for classwork, your Pathfinders will move into completing Pursuits.You can still do your crafts, games and other traditional activities if you find you cannot includethem within your Pursuits.SECTION FIVEINVESTITUREInvestitures are positive measurements of achievement and are very much a part of this program.While it takes two years to complete a Level, Pathfinders will be invested at the end of each year.Remember – Level 1, Year 1 – FriendsLevel 1, Year 2 – CompanionsLevel 2, Year 1 – ExplorersLevel 2, Year 2 –RangersLevel 3, Year 1 –VoyagersLevel 3, Year 2 -GuidesTo be invested a Pathfinder will need to have completed the following. Complete 75% of the 40 hours of PursuitsComplete 75% of the total club programComplete a minimum of 2 HonoursLearn, know and understand the 10 Bible passagesMaintain the Journal to an acceptable standard9
WAY TO GO! Version 2 – MANUAL Exhibit the Spirit of pathfindersAdvanced Level.If any of your Pathfinders wish to be invested at the Advanced Level, they will need to do alittle more work and devote a little more time to earn that bar! They will need to – Complete 95% of the 40 hours of Pursuits Complete 95% of the total club program Complete 5 Honours Learn, know and understand 15 Bible passages Maintain the Journal to a high standard Exhibit the spirit of Pathfinders in an outstanding mannerA record of each Pathfinder’s completed yearly program is kept in the journal and needs to befilled in and signed off for investiture to occur.For those Pathfinders wishing to continue after completing Guides, we recommend they obtaintheir Master Guide and complete their Basic and PLA Training as listed in the Red Manual.10
WAY TO GO! Version 2 – MANUALSECTION SIX.DEBRIEFING – THE VITAL INGREDIENTWhat is Debriefing?When the Pursuit is over and the fun or challenge has faded, the kids can be restless and keen tomove on to the next thing. It can be tempting to just skip the ‘application’ bit and let them kickback for a while. DON’T!Some experiences can fail to teach us anything because we don’t take the time to recognize,articulate or evaluate what we did. Others can leave us with the wrong message! Every learningopportunity must be followed up.Young people may share a stirring experience together. But they may never draw the richChristian meaning from it unless we as leaders stop the action and help the kids interprettheir experience We call this process debriefing. During debriefing we ask: “What justhappened here? What can we learn from it? How will we be different because of it?”Thom & Joani Schultz, Do It! Active Learning in Youth Ministry, (Loveland, California: Group Books, 1989), p. 47.Make no mistake about it, the bit that comes after the game is usually the most importantpart of the whole experience. This is the time when the players can come down to earth andreflect on the effect the game had on them, and on the entire group. It gently pushes kids tothink about what happened and offers them the chance to measure their conclusions against theideas and perceptions of the ‘significant others’ in their lives - their leaders and their peer group.Often even so-called tough or rowdy kids will sober up as they hear their peers sharing seriousreflections and insights following an active learning activity or simulation.Why Debrief?1. To Take the Lesson On BoardIn a nutshell, the debriefing experience allows Pathfinders to connect what they have learned orexperienced in an activity or simulation with real life. Discussion questions and response devicesfocus on what happened and then invite the participants to reflect on how they felt, what theythought, or what they believe about a certain concept or experience.By going through the process, leaders hope that the things the kids have experienced will be takenacr
A Manual which outlines the philosophy, background, organisation, regulations and leadership helps for planning, implementing and developing your program. A system for recording and recognising the achievement of Pathfinders. It includes a full set of necessary forms and organisational aids. A Pathfinder journal for use by each Pathfinder.
“THE PATHFINDER”. Pathfinders In Step With Christ SEC Drill Manual (2-15-17) . members of Seventh day Adventist Church. The Pathfinder organization is focused on leading young people to Christ as well as guide adults to a strong relationship with God. This being said, All Pathfinders and staff members will be asked to not wear jewelry outside of a wedding band and watch while in uniform .
the Pathfinder Law mean? The Law is for me to: Keep the morning watch Do my honest part Care for my body, Keep a level eye Be courteous and obedient Walk softly in the sanctuary, Keep a song in my heart, Go on God's errand. 3 Personal Growth Memorize Pathfinders Pledge Learn the meaning of the Pathfinders Pledge Pathfinders Pledge By the grace of God, I will be pure, and kind, and true. I will .
Honors and investiture levels expose Pathfinders to new talents and interests. In . addition, the club director and other personnel can provide godly guidance and direction as Pathfinders begin developing their leadership skills. Who Are Pathfinders? A Pathfinder Club is designed for youth ages 10-15 (grades 5-10). With such a wide
the mission of the SDA Church with Pathfinder adult leadership in a “shared service experience” of the Pathfinder ministry in the North American Division. ranklin Moses had been a Pathfinder for five years. He had completed his freshman year in high school and was finding the continued routine of Pathfinders “a bit boring.” He wanted .
Pathfinder ministry and will lead the Pathfinders in your club through an exciting journey as they learn and grow in their Christian experience. The Investiture Achievement Curriculum is for Pathfinders in grades 5-10 or their equivalent. As you review the requirements, you will see that they are aligned with the goals that are listed for each segment. Throughout the curriculum special focus .
Please remember that Honours are designed to develop our Pathfinders in many ways; their interests, their knowledge and their relationship with their Saviour and Creator. Your enthusiasm and creativity will have a huge impact on those doing the honour. To complete an Honour, the following (where applicable) must be completed satisfactorily:
Ranger Investiture Achievement SAIL Pathfinders 2021-22 Personal Growth 1. Be in Grade 8 or its equivalent. 2. Develop your daily devotional life by studying the Weekly Devotional Guide (weeks 40 - 52) and the book of John utilizing printed or electronic resources, then journal your
BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence V1.1 Oct 2020 Syllabus Learning Objectives 1. Ethical and Sustainable Human and Artificial Intelligence (20%) Candidates will be able to: 1.1. Recall the general definition of Human and Artificial Intelligence (AI). 1.1.1. Describe the concept of intelligent agents. 1.1.2. Describe a modern .
