Trending With Jesus: Wisconsin Pathfinder Fair 2026
- PZ
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
While Pathfinder clubs may meet year-round, the official Pathfinder year in Wisconsin runs from September to May. It begins with a camporee in September and concludes in May with Pathfinder Fair. At the Fair, Pathfinders gather to worship Jesus, celebrate the year’s accomplishments through year-end videos, and compete in challenging events that test skill and teamwork.
This year’s theme, Trending With Jesus, focused on internet safety, online bullying prevention, using social media to spread the Gospel, and content creation as evangelism. Ricardo Colindres, JAHWI President, was the speaker and did an excellent job keeping the Pathfinders engaged. Ricardo is no stranger to Wisconsin, having been a local Pathfinder, summer camp staff member, and student in Wisconsin Adventist schools. He is currently completing his undergraduate theology degree in preparation for pastoral ministry.
Each year, Pathfinders compete to design the special event patch distributed at Fair. This year’s winner was Colleen Condado from the Green Bay Pioneers club. Her simple design featuring a cross and trending arrow beautifully captured the weekend’s theme.
Pathfinder year-end videos are a highlight of the event, showcasing the exciting experiences and accomplishments of each club. Clubs are encouraged to create inspiring videos that not only report what they’ve done but also motivate others to join. If you missed the Fair, you can watch all the videos on our YouTube channel.
Sunday morning featured the Fair Events, which tested each club’s teamwork through three creative challenges. The Compass Event required Pathfinders to interpret directions and navigate to a goal. The Paper Route Simulation was a bike relay where teams threw rolled newspapers into target zones. The Platform Lash challenged clubs to lash together a sturdy table from sticks and rope capable of holding the entire team.
Camping and marching remain core traditions at Pathfinder Fair. This year, clubs camped on the rustic side of Camp Wakonda. Thanks to Camp Ranger Elgin’s mowing, treatment of the area, and improvements (including extra camping space and a new solar-powered light post), tick sightings were minimal. We’re grateful to Elgin and Becky for preparing the camp so well. Also, it may have helped with the ticks that it got down to 29 degrees on Friday night...but worry not, our tough northern-grown Pathfinders survived the night and the rest of the weekend was sunny and beautiful.
Pathfinders also marched in a camp-wide parade, a helpful warm-up for the June Camp Meeting parade. Saturday night featured the annual March and Drill Competition, followed by a fun all-Pathfinder game of Simon Says.
At the end of the Fair Events, each club came forward to receive various awards. A highlight of the weekend was the presentation of the prestigious 200 Club award, given to Club Directors who excel in monthly reporting, hosting key events, leading community service, and attending leadership trainings. This year, five clubs earned the honor: Green Bay Pioneers, Hudson Heat, Milwaukee Northwest Good Seed, Watertown Sentinels, and Wisconsin Academy Voyageurs. This year, for the very first time, we started to incentivize Adventurers leaders with a similar system. Congratulations to the Hudson Heat Adventurers for being the first club to receive the newly minted 100 Club award!
The weekend was a tremendous blessing, with nearly 300 people attending and strong participation across the board. We are proud of our Wisconsin Pathfinders and thankful for our dedicated volunteer leaders, the Camp Wakonda staff, and our Council of Club Ministry Coordinators who helped make the event possible.
God has truly blessed our Pathfinder ministry this year. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Lake Union Pathfinder Camporee September 24–27 in Berrien Springs, Michigan!
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