July 2007 - Southern Adventist University

Gulf States NewsPathfinders Parade at Camp MeetingDrums beat, wagonsrolled, flags flew, andPathfinders marched atthe annual Pathfinder fairparade which was held onthe first weekend of campmeeting. Seventeen clubsthroughout the Conferenceattended the fair. Paradefloats depicted the Pathfindertheme for the year,which is “Pioneering forChrist.”Saturday night and earlySunday morning, boothswith impressive displaysshowcasing individual andclub accomplishments,were set up in the gym.In the afternoon, clubsparticipated in field events,including an egg toss, slowbicycle race, and a relayrace, which entailed fillinga bucket with one cup ofwater at a time (no spillsallowed!).At the end of thefield events, a plane flewover the field and dropedpackages of M & M candy.Among the dropped candywas specially marked packageswith certificates for afree week of summer campat Camp Alamisco, and giftcertificates for purchases atthe Camp store.After the award ribbonswere presented byBob Kimbro, Pathfindercouncil chairperson; JeffWood, Conference youthdirector; and other councilmembers, groups of tired,but happy, Pathfindersand staff, headed for theirvehicles for long driveshome.The fair was plannedby the Pathfinder counciland the Conference youthdepartment.—BY REBECCA GRICEDeb Gorecki Receives John Hancock AwardThe John HancockAward is an award uniqueto the Conference, andis given each year torecognize outstandingleadership of a Pathfinderleader. The leader must bea Master Guide, and theymust attend three out ofthe four major yearly ConferencePathfinder eventswith their club or attendthe event as a supportperson. The recipient isgiven a plaque and $300.This year, the JohnBob Kimbro, Pathfinder council chairperson,presented the John Hancock Award to Deb Gorecki,recognizing her for outstanding leadership toPathfinders.HancockAward of Excellencewaspresented toDeb Gorecki,Birmingham,Ala., Pathfinderleader.More than15 years ago,Deb and herhusband,John, beganthe Adventurerclub at theBirminghamFirst church. When theirdaughters joined Pathfinders,they became Pathfinderleaders and still continue tolead youth to Heaven.Deb served as thegirls’ director on a Conferenceteen mission trip, as amember on the ConferencePathfinder council, and shecurrently assists with thecentral Alabama Pathfinderdistrict.July 2007 • TIDINGS 15