Hello Central Texas Pathfinders. Several announcements and updates below.
1. A special prayer for our two Central Texas PBE teams participating in the Division Pathfinder Bible Experience this weekend (and for all of the teams there). Also, we have added the book of Exodus and the Bible Commentary in English and Spanish to the PBE page on the CTX website, so now is a good time to begin a sustained reading program to prepare for next year - we would love to see 100 percent participation at the Area level in 2016.
2. As announced at the Texas Camporee, the Texas Conference Youth Department is offering a special $25 off one week discount for all Adventurers and Pathfinders ages 7-17 for Summer Camp 2015, if it is their FIRST time to attend. They will need to complete the reservation at youngtexasadventist.org under the Summer Camp tab. Then contact Iris or Deborah with the Youth Dept 817-790-2255 to verify eligibility for the $25 credit.
3. It is nearing Investiture time, and if you haven’t already made arrangements for Area staff to attend your Investiture program, please do so soon. We have a sign-up request form on the CTX website to help coordinate the process. http://centraltexaspathfinders.weebly.com/club-registration.html
4. For those who assisted in passing out flyers for or volunteered at the Pathway to Health program in San Antonio, they report that from April 8-10, they assisted 6192 individuals with more than $20 million in volunteer services and materials. Thank you to all who assisted in any manner, this was a blessing for the community.
5. Ever wonder how many Pathfinders there are in Texas? Currently, there are 228 Pathfinder Clubs (4749 Pathfinders) in the Southwestern Union Conference (Texas, Oklahoma, ArkLa, Texico and SW Regional Conference). Of that, there are 120 Pathfinder Clubs in the Texas Conference, with 3152 Pathfinders.
6. As you begin making plans for the NEXT Pathfinder year, remember that there are many helps compiled for the Investiture Achievement class work available at http://www.investitureachievement.org/wiki/index.php/Investiture_Achievement. There are a group of individuals also working on a suggested yearly plan to assist clubs in completing the IA work, and AdventSource is beginning to prepare some booklets to assist instructors and Pathfinders with some of the complex topical discussions found in the Ranger, Voyager and Guide IA requirements (such as Abortion, Abuse, Cyber Bullying, Teen Pregnancy, Pornography, Homosexuality and Self-Abuse). It is not yet clear when these resources will be available.
7. A reminder that for those who have participated in the Pathfinder Bible Experience, the PBE year pin and level bars are only worn on the uniform pocket for the current year, and only a total of four level bars are to be added (area through division) - multiple years are not strung together. Prior year pins and bars may be worn on the sash, but not on the uniform pocket.
8. TLT - A new website is in the works to assist with the TLT ministry. This will be at www.tltministry.org when it is active. The standard TLT cord (red and black) is authorized to be worn by current TLTs and by current TLT staff, including TLT mentors and the club TLT director. The new yellow Pathfinder scarf with red trim, for TLTs, is only to be worn by current TLTs. The all red scarf is no longer valid.
9. Uniform Clarifications from NAD - At the recent NAD meeting, several clarifications were codified in the Uniform guidelines, to ensure modesty, and to balance uniformity with some opportunity for local or club uniqueness. A key thing to remember is that the uniforms worn should be uniform within a club.
A. For Pathfinders and staff: skirts, skorts and culottes hems should be at mid-knee or below.
B. For shoes, all black dress shoes or boots with fully closed toe and heels. Heels of no more than 2 inches. If the shoes have laces, the laces must also be all black. (It is noted that a director should allow style variations if financial hardship plays a significant role)
C. Hosiery - All black socks, stockings or knee highs. No designs or patterns
D. Authorized Options: Plain, all black leather belt with no ornamentation
E. Authorized Options: Conferences, clubs and individuals may wear a non-standard issue Pathfinder or Master Guide logo’d buckle
F. Authorized Options: Individuals may wear a non-standard issue or legacy Pathfinder or Master Guide slide
G. Staff may wear the Baptismal Pin
H. The Pathfinder Name Plate is optional and should only be worn by staff
I. The Pathfinder Triangle Pin may be worn as a tie tack or on honor sash
J. Right Sleeve Measurements - Change the distance of Staff Position Strip from 3 1/2” from shoulder seam to 1/4” below lowest tip of Club Name Crest
K. Changes to the placement of pins on the left pocket: The Class level pins are located above the button on the pocket flap, centered on the pocket, with the lowest class level closes to the inside of the chest. On a line even with the button, there are four “spaces” for pins. Beginning closes to the chest first is the Baptismal pin. The second spot, next to the button, is for EITHER the PBE pin for the current year, or the PLA pin, if earned (if neither, the space remains blank). The third space, on the other side of the button, closes to the arm, is where the TLT OR PIA pin is places if earned. The fourth, final space, closest to the arm, is for wither the TLT year star or the staff service star. (We will post an illustration on the CTX site soon, as well as all of the updates to uniform code).
10. Shoulder Cords. Shoulder cords are OPTIONAL, but IF they are worn, only ONE cord is worn, and that on the left shoulder. All cords (except the TLT cord) will consist of a braided main cord, two outside shoulder loops without ornamentation, and one gold pencil device (the new cords will soon be available through AdventSource). According to the NAD, if the conference adopts cords, ranks are represented by the following colors:
Drill & Drum team members and leaders - White
Club Director - Gold (non-metallic)
Assistant & Associate Coordinators - Gold & Kelly Green
Coordinators - Gold and Scarlet
Conference Exec. Coordinators, Conf. Directors, Union Directors, Division Directors - Gold, Scarlet & Royal Blue
11. In the event a Pathfinder lacks the physical and/or mental capacity to complete parts of a an Investiture Achievement Level or Honor, the Pathfinder Club Director should make every accommodation possible to help ensure that the youth be included and can be deemed successful though their participation is not at the same level of achievement. (Otherwise, full participation and completions of requirements and demonstration of skills are required before conferring a new class level or an honor).
12. Speaking of honors, some of the new ones for 2015 include Blacksmithing, Aviators, Water Science and Advanced, Tie-dye Advanced, Animal Camouflage and Advanced, Bubbles, Raptors and Advanced. Please note that AdventSource does NOT have the patches for these yet. You can find requirements for the new honors and all the rest at http://www.investitureachievement.org/wiki/index.php/Adventist_Youth_Honors_Answer_Book
Whew! A long note, but hopefully this keeps you all updated as to what is going on in Pathfinders!
1. A special prayer for our two Central Texas PBE teams participating in the Division Pathfinder Bible Experience this weekend (and for all of the teams there). Also, we have added the book of Exodus and the Bible Commentary in English and Spanish to the PBE page on the CTX website, so now is a good time to begin a sustained reading program to prepare for next year - we would love to see 100 percent participation at the Area level in 2016.
2. As announced at the Texas Camporee, the Texas Conference Youth Department is offering a special $25 off one week discount for all Adventurers and Pathfinders ages 7-17 for Summer Camp 2015, if it is their FIRST time to attend. They will need to complete the reservation at youngtexasadventist.org under the Summer Camp tab. Then contact Iris or Deborah with the Youth Dept 817-790-2255 to verify eligibility for the $25 credit.
3. It is nearing Investiture time, and if you haven’t already made arrangements for Area staff to attend your Investiture program, please do so soon. We have a sign-up request form on the CTX website to help coordinate the process. http://centraltexaspathfinders.weebly.com/club-registration.html
4. For those who assisted in passing out flyers for or volunteered at the Pathway to Health program in San Antonio, they report that from April 8-10, they assisted 6192 individuals with more than $20 million in volunteer services and materials. Thank you to all who assisted in any manner, this was a blessing for the community.
5. Ever wonder how many Pathfinders there are in Texas? Currently, there are 228 Pathfinder Clubs (4749 Pathfinders) in the Southwestern Union Conference (Texas, Oklahoma, ArkLa, Texico and SW Regional Conference). Of that, there are 120 Pathfinder Clubs in the Texas Conference, with 3152 Pathfinders.
6. As you begin making plans for the NEXT Pathfinder year, remember that there are many helps compiled for the Investiture Achievement class work available at http://www.investitureachievement.org/wiki/index.php/Investiture_Achievement. There are a group of individuals also working on a suggested yearly plan to assist clubs in completing the IA work, and AdventSource is beginning to prepare some booklets to assist instructors and Pathfinders with some of the complex topical discussions found in the Ranger, Voyager and Guide IA requirements (such as Abortion, Abuse, Cyber Bullying, Teen Pregnancy, Pornography, Homosexuality and Self-Abuse). It is not yet clear when these resources will be available.
7. A reminder that for those who have participated in the Pathfinder Bible Experience, the PBE year pin and level bars are only worn on the uniform pocket for the current year, and only a total of four level bars are to be added (area through division) - multiple years are not strung together. Prior year pins and bars may be worn on the sash, but not on the uniform pocket.
8. TLT - A new website is in the works to assist with the TLT ministry. This will be at www.tltministry.org when it is active. The standard TLT cord (red and black) is authorized to be worn by current TLTs and by current TLT staff, including TLT mentors and the club TLT director. The new yellow Pathfinder scarf with red trim, for TLTs, is only to be worn by current TLTs. The all red scarf is no longer valid.
9. Uniform Clarifications from NAD - At the recent NAD meeting, several clarifications were codified in the Uniform guidelines, to ensure modesty, and to balance uniformity with some opportunity for local or club uniqueness. A key thing to remember is that the uniforms worn should be uniform within a club.
A. For Pathfinders and staff: skirts, skorts and culottes hems should be at mid-knee or below.
B. For shoes, all black dress shoes or boots with fully closed toe and heels. Heels of no more than 2 inches. If the shoes have laces, the laces must also be all black. (It is noted that a director should allow style variations if financial hardship plays a significant role)
C. Hosiery - All black socks, stockings or knee highs. No designs or patterns
D. Authorized Options: Plain, all black leather belt with no ornamentation
E. Authorized Options: Conferences, clubs and individuals may wear a non-standard issue Pathfinder or Master Guide logo’d buckle
F. Authorized Options: Individuals may wear a non-standard issue or legacy Pathfinder or Master Guide slide
G. Staff may wear the Baptismal Pin
H. The Pathfinder Name Plate is optional and should only be worn by staff
I. The Pathfinder Triangle Pin may be worn as a tie tack or on honor sash
J. Right Sleeve Measurements - Change the distance of Staff Position Strip from 3 1/2” from shoulder seam to 1/4” below lowest tip of Club Name Crest
K. Changes to the placement of pins on the left pocket: The Class level pins are located above the button on the pocket flap, centered on the pocket, with the lowest class level closes to the inside of the chest. On a line even with the button, there are four “spaces” for pins. Beginning closes to the chest first is the Baptismal pin. The second spot, next to the button, is for EITHER the PBE pin for the current year, or the PLA pin, if earned (if neither, the space remains blank). The third space, on the other side of the button, closes to the arm, is where the TLT OR PIA pin is places if earned. The fourth, final space, closest to the arm, is for wither the TLT year star or the staff service star. (We will post an illustration on the CTX site soon, as well as all of the updates to uniform code).
10. Shoulder Cords. Shoulder cords are OPTIONAL, but IF they are worn, only ONE cord is worn, and that on the left shoulder. All cords (except the TLT cord) will consist of a braided main cord, two outside shoulder loops without ornamentation, and one gold pencil device (the new cords will soon be available through AdventSource). According to the NAD, if the conference adopts cords, ranks are represented by the following colors:
Drill & Drum team members and leaders - White
Club Director - Gold (non-metallic)
Assistant & Associate Coordinators - Gold & Kelly Green
Coordinators - Gold and Scarlet
Conference Exec. Coordinators, Conf. Directors, Union Directors, Division Directors - Gold, Scarlet & Royal Blue
11. In the event a Pathfinder lacks the physical and/or mental capacity to complete parts of a an Investiture Achievement Level or Honor, the Pathfinder Club Director should make every accommodation possible to help ensure that the youth be included and can be deemed successful though their participation is not at the same level of achievement. (Otherwise, full participation and completions of requirements and demonstration of skills are required before conferring a new class level or an honor).
12. Speaking of honors, some of the new ones for 2015 include Blacksmithing, Aviators, Water Science and Advanced, Tie-dye Advanced, Animal Camouflage and Advanced, Bubbles, Raptors and Advanced. Please note that AdventSource does NOT have the patches for these yet. You can find requirements for the new honors and all the rest at http://www.investitureachievement.org/wiki/index.php/Adventist_Youth_Honors_Answer_Book
Whew! A long note, but hopefully this keeps you all updated as to what is going on in Pathfinders!