The Pathfinder year is about to begin, and we, as the leaders of the Castle Hill Pathfinder club, would like to invite you to join us and make this year a special time of growing with God, friendship, fun, and a learning experience that will last you for the rest of your life.
This page contains important information you need to read thoroughly before joining our Pathfinder club, so that you know what is involved.
Pathfinders is designed for children 10-15 years of age (school years 5-10). It is designed to help your child develop socially, physically, mentally, and spiritually, through participating in many different activities. We attend camps with members of our club, and also mix with other clubs at Conference events like Pathfinder Fair, camporees, and the Expedition held every September.
Our calendar lists our club meetings and camp schedule, along with many other events that we currently have organised. Please put this calendar in a prominent place so that you are aware of upcoming events. It is your responsibility as parents to be aware of the dates involved. Please try to plan other activities so they don’t clash with Pathfinders. Occasionally we may have to change our plans due to unforeseen circumstances, so we will communicate these changes as soon as possible.
There is considerable expense in outfitting your child for Pathfinders. It is important to us that no child will be disadvantaged due to their financial situation though. Please let us know if we can help address this problem.
Finally, we would like to emphasise that we do not want you to see Pathfinders as “child minding”. It is a big responsibility that we as leaders voluntarily assume, and we need your support and prayers.
Any assistance or feedback, positive or negative, you would like to give us through the year is appreciated. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Classes
Castle Hill Pathfinders runs the “Way to Go” curriculum, which divides the club into three class groups: junior, intermediate and senior. Pathfinders join class groups based on their age or school year, and remain in that class group for two years, earning a different achievement each year.
| Age | Class Group | Achievement |
| 10 or year 5 | Junior |  |
| 11 or year 6 |  | |
| 12 or year 7 | Intermediate |  |
| 13 or year 8 |  | |
| 14 or year 9 | Senior |  |
| 15 or year 10 |  | |
| 16 or year 11 | Master Guide |  |
Honours
Pathfinders derive a good deal of satisfaction from earning honours. To this end, the club tries to arrange various activities throughout the year which allow the children to develop different skills to a level that meets the requirements for each honour. These requirements are specified by the Conference, and we are required to keep worksheets and other evidence to demonstrate to the Conference that a Pathfinder has met the requirements for an honour.
For each honour earned the child gets a patch token to be sewn onto the dress uniform sash; these patches are given out at the Investiture service. Pathfinders need to complete at least two honours each year to be invested.
Investiture
This is the ceremony where Pathfinders receive their awards for completing the years’ work. It takes place in November, during a church service run by the Pathfinders. We encourage each child to work throughout the year towards being invested so that they can receive the pin for that class.
To be invested, Pathfinders must participate in at least 75% of prepared activities and attend at least 75% of the club’s compulsory annual program. Children must complete at least two honours, learn and understand ten Bible texts, and exhibit the spirit of Pathfinders.
Attendance in 75% of club activities includes club meetings, camps, Pathfinder days, camporees, Expedition, Pathfinder fair, community projects and fund raising. It is necessary for us to adhere reasonably rigidly to this in order to make it fair on those who do attend and put in the time and effort. We believe you will understand the need for this, and as the kids are usually reliant on someone for transport, we trust you will support them and us in this regard. Please speak to one of our leaders if you need more clarification around attendance requirements.
Uniform
Each Pathfinder is required to have two uniforms:
Dress uniform is worn on formal occasions like Pathfinder day and Investiture.
- Bottle green trousers (boys) or skirt (girls)
- Khaki shirt (boys) or white blouse (girls) with buttoned pockets and shoulder straps for epaulettes
- Patches for shirt/blouse
- World patch, Conference patch and Pathfinder emblem patch
- Castle Hill club name patch
- Black tie (different styles for boys and girls)
- Black belt with Pathfinder buckle
- Scarf (yellow for Pathfinders, red for leaders)
- Woggle
- Sash
- Black leather shoes
- Black socks (boys) or white socks (girls)
- Epaulettes (for seniors)
Field uniform is worn for all other events including club meetings and camps.
- Polo shirt for regular club meetings
- T-shirt for outdoor activities such as camps, Expedition, and camporees
- Bucket hat for outdoor activities
Dress uniforms (except for the Castle Hill club name patch) are available from the Adventist Book Centre at 1A Colyton Rd, Minchinbury, or from the ABC online store. Refer to this guide for placement of patches on the dress uniform.
Field uniforms are available from the club’s online store. The club also has a limited supply of dress uniform skirts and trousers which are available for hire for $10 per item per year. We ask you to please treat the uniforms loaned to you with respect, and make sure that you return them when they are no longer needed.
Activities
Please refer to the calendar for all activities planned for the year. Club meetings, camps, Expedition, community days and Investiture are all marked.
Club meetings start at 3:30pm and finish at 8:30pm. The content of club meetings may vary, though they will usually have some core activities that include parade, drill and marching, worship, class pursuits and games.
Camps are held over both Friday and Saturday nights. They are usually in a bush setting, with the Pathfinders doing their own cooking. If there are any changes all Pathfinders will be notified.
The annual Conference Expedition is usually held away from Sydney. Pathfinders are required to be completely self-sufficient. They are required to carry a pack with all their gear, food, sleeping bag and tent. Expeditions are planned in detail with a range of challenges to suit the different ages and abilities represented.
Equipment
Of all the expenses incurred in equipping Pathfinders, camping and hiking gear is the biggest expense. The following guide takes into account cost and efficiency. We are happy to provide advice when it comes time to purchase these items.
Shoes/boots:
A decent, sturdy pair of hiking boots or hiking shoes are necessary for both safety and comfort.
Sleeping bag:
We recommend you consider getting a –5°C rated sleeping bag, warm enough for winter camping but also suitable for general use. Light weight and compact size are advantageous, but these sleeping bags tend to be the more expensive ones. Buy the smallest, lightest –5°C rated sleeping bag you can afford.
Sleeping bag liner:
Not compulsory, but it will help keep your sleeping bag free from dirt, grease, sand etc. It will also add warmth.
Torch:
Each child must have their own torch. We recommend a small compact one, which is light to carry on hikes, with spare batteries and a spare globe. Head torches are great for setting up in the dark and hiking but are not compulsory.
Sleeping mat:
Should be one that can be rolled up. This is essential for all camps to insulate against cold ground and give a small amount of comfort.
Water bottles:
Two 1-litre water bottles are required for all campouts and Pathfinder activities.
Wet-weather gear:
A nylon type poncho is cheap and compact and required on all camps regardless of the weather forecast.
Thermal underwear:
These are not compulsory but make winter camping more pleasurable, especially on cold nights. We recommend proper polypropylene or woollen thermals.
Hiking pack:
Very important that a proper-fitting, well-constructed pack be obtained. Looking for pack with a volume of 55-65 litres, which should last for the duration of their Pathfinder experience.
Cooking equipment:
750ml billy, cutlery kit, light bowl (can be used for all meals), cup, lightweight gas cooker and spare gas canister.
Compass:
The ability to navigate with a map and compass is an essential outdoor skill which the Pathfinders will learn. Each Pathfinder needs a good quality orienteering compass for all hiking camps and expeditions. We recommend Silva brand compasses; their basic model (the Silva Field Compass) is all you need and costs around $35.
