Greater New York Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Adventist Youth Ministries Department
Update for Pathfinder Clubs
5/20/09
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We have received many calls, E-mails, text messages, and Facebook notes in regards to the Cancelation of our Pathfinder Camporee. Many of the notes and messages show relief and support for the measure taken. Parents, club leaders, and young people alike have expressed their appreciation. They are glad to know that we have an Adventist Youth Ministries Department which responds responsibly in difficult situations, not putting the safety of our kids and the good name of our church at risk. We have also received messages, chain letters, and notes from Pathfinders, Teens, and kids who cannot envision a year going by without a GNYC Camporee. One thing is clear; we are all disappointed that we will not have a Camporee. Even with the Oshkosh Camporee coming up, the financial crisis, and swine flu, we had over 1,000 registered and were expecting somewhere between 1,300-1,500 Pathfinder & Master Guides. The work had been done, items had been purchased and paid for, clubs had purchased new tents, and were in the midst of their food shopping. Camp Berkshire also looses income when a planned event is canceled.
Having mentioned the previous, we must also note, that none of them would compare in cost to having an outbreak during Camporee or right after Camporee; or having a fatality of a kid or adult suffering from other complications as a result of acquiring swine flu during one of our sponsored activities. Or having our church held publically responsible for an outbreak in an area which has not yet been reached heavily by swine flu. We must affirm that as Christians we have faith that God protects us and must not be afraid; we also acknowledge that He gives us the wisdom and discernment to not put ourselves on harm’s way or at risk unless it is absolutely necessary. Through this note we would like to confirm the decision taken, to cancel the Camporee, due to the imminent and present risk of the Swine Flu.
Following you will find an important update.
Partial Refund with Purchase of Camporee Package (T-shirt, Patch, Pin, Beach Ball, & Camporee Registration Souvenir Wristband):
There are club leaders who have called and asked whether they can still get the Camporee Paraphernalia for their club and Master Guides. The answer is yes, the same package that you would have received at Camporee Check-in is available. Many of our Pathfinders and Master Guides like to get their collection of Pathfinder Items, and they are all available. The package includes a T-shirt, Patch, Pin, Beach Ball, & Camporee Registration Souvenir Wristband. If your club decides to get this Camporee Items, the Adventist Youth Ministries Department would only charge $20.00 for the Camporee Package and reimburse the remaining $15.00 (camp site & programming) per person. It’s a decision each club needs to make. Please call (516) 467-5212, or E-mail, Veronica Chaug at the Office of the Adventist Youth Ministries Department and communicate with her in regards to your decision.
If your club decides to get the Camporee Package, we would prefer that someone picks it up here at the office, this way there would not be extra expenses in shipping and handling. T-shirts and Beach Balls can be heavy and add to the shipping bill. Graphics of the Camporee Package are included below.
Full Refund to Clubs:
If your club does not wish to get the Camporee Package, get in touch with Veronica at the office and make the proper arrangements. All Clubs have the right to a Full Refund and will receive it in the upcoming weeks as it is requested. Clubs that request a full refund will not receive the Camporee Gear or Paraphernalia (T-Shirt, Patch, Pin, Beach Ball, & Camporee Souvenir Wristband). The refund will be given in a Conference Issued Check.
Purchase of Separate Items and Not the entire Camporee Package:
If you wish to purchase come of the individual Camporee items, the costs are listed below:
T-shirt $12.00
Patch $ 3.50
Pin $ 3.00
Beach Ball $ 5.00
Registration Souvenir Wristband $ 2.00
Limited Edition Pin (Glitter) $ 5.00 (only 100 pins available, not included in Camporee Package)
Special Conference-Wide Pathfinder Day:
Due to the extremely stretched Adventist Youth Ministries Calendar, we will not be able to make up the Camporee in another date. However, we are working with the possibilities of having a special Pathfinder & Master Guide Day, with spiritual and nature activities on Saturday, July 4, 2009, on the second Saturday of English Campmeeting. We would like to make sure that we have something special for our kids. We’ll keep you up to date.
Once again, thanks for the understanding. Give a lot of love to your Pathfinders and Master Guides during this weekend; they are disappointed as we are. Remember, your reaction and what you say in front of them helps to determine their attitude. If you are able to do something locally for your club, with your local church and your Pastor’s authorization, please do so. Anything you and your team decide to do, needs the approval of your Church Board and your Church Pastor. A hike, a walk on the beach, with your kids can be a blessing. Find a way to minister to them locally. Some have asked if Camp Berkshire is closed, the answer is no. Camp Berkshire will be opened during the weekend.
Many Blessings and Love,
Jose
Pastor Jose H. Cortes Jr., M. Div.
Director of the Adventist Youth Ministries Department
Greater New York Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
7 Shelter Rock Road
Manhasset New York, 11030
www.gnycyouth.com (website)
ay@gnycyouth.com (Secretary’s E-mail address)
gnycyouth@aol.com(Pastor Jose’s E-mail address).
www.youtube.com/user/gnycyouth (For videos on YouTube)
JoseJoanne (on Twitter)
Jose Joanne Cortes (on Facebook)
Pastor Jose & Joanne (on My Space)
(516) 627-9350 (Greater New York Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church)
(516) 467-5212 (Direct Line to Veronica/Adventist Youth Ministries Department Office)
(516) 749-2080 (Joanne’s Cell)
(516) 749-6057 (Pastor Jose’s Cell)
(516) 627-9272 (Greater New York Conference Fax)
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