Excited Pathfinders scurried to find protection from the cold as they faced a climate vastly different from Arizona during the Pathfinder camporee in Oshkosh, Wis.

The cold reception did not diminish the warm enthusiasm for the historic event from Arizona's 341 Pathfinders and staff from the 16 participating clubs. Most of the youth came by plane into Chicago and rode to the site in vans and buses. Others drove from Arizona, approximately 2,000 miles.

Themed "Faith on Fire," the camporee events included Spirit-filled preaching, community service events, honors classes, rope courses, parades featuring clubs from around the world and pin trading.

Pin trading brings people together in a special way as Pathfinders and staff compete to see how many pins they can collect from other clubs. Then they display them on caps, vests, shirts and jackets.

Participating Arizona Pathfinder clubs included Apache Junction Desert Scouts, Bisbee Gems, Glendale Eagles, Glendale White Tigers, Holbrook Solders4Christ, Kingman Kougars, Phoenix Beacon Light Hawks, Phoenix Camelback Mountaineers, Phoenix Paradise Valley Pioneers, Phoenix South Mountain Eagles, Tucson Desert Valley Mountain Lions, Tucson Lobos del Sur, Tucson Midvale Park Mustangs, West Valley Maranatha, Yuma Central Suns and Yuma Desert Kings.

Pathfinders have enjoyed sharing their Oshkosh experiences with local church congregations who supported them generously. "The stories of Joseph taught me a lot," Cody Blake told his church. "It was all great, but I especially liked walking inside a hot air balloon. That was awesome."

Arizona Pathfinders have chosen “Keeping the Fire Alive” as their motto for the new year.