More than 300 Pathfinder leaders arrived at Leoni Meadows Sept. 12 for a weekend leadership convention. The theme of the convention was “Praying with Pathfinders to the King” with more than 65 seminar options during the course of the weekend, including insurance, safety, marching drills and the upcoming camporee in Oshkosh, Wis.

The wide variety of seminar topics ensured that there would be something for everyone. “I love going to these because you get to retool and energize the batteries for the next year,” says Larry Hicks, clerk of Shingle Springs Church.

According to Hicks, one of the highlights of the weekend was a seminar by Doug Ammon entitled “Transferring Belief.” The focus of this seminar was on learning how society conveys belief and the important role Pathfinders plays in teaching Church beliefs to the next generation of Adventists.

Some of the seminars were specifically designed for the teenage L.I.T.s or “Leaders in Training.” Kristina Batchelor, a pathfinder from Pleasant Hill, is one of the 85 L.I.T.s who attended. “We talked about how to relate to the younger kids and learned some self esteem builders,” she said. This was her first year as a Pathfinder L.I.T., and she plans to be back next year.

Other special guests included Bill Wood, youth director for the Atlantic Union Conference; Sandy Roberts, associate youth director for Southeastern California; Mark and Sherilyn O’Ffill from the Napa Church; and Debbie Kraft from Oroville.

The success of Pathfinder clubs across the conference depends on the loyal support of the local leaders. During the closing banquet on Sunday, yearly service pins were given out totaling more than 1,500 years of combined service—several people had served 40 to 50 years. Of the 309 people in attendance, 41 received their Master Guide certificates.