After Friend (age 10) and Companion (age 11), the Researcher class is the third step in the Pathfinder's regular journey, aimed at those who are 12 years old. The name says it all: it's the phase to research more deeply — investigating the life of Jesus in the Gospels, discovering talents to serve God, and learning to make firm decisions under the pressures of this age. This class's card is green, and upon completing all the requirements, the Pathfinder is invested in a special club ceremony.
What is the Researcher class
The regular Pathfinder classes follow the Pathfinder's age, one per year, from 10 to 15 years old. Researcher is the third of these and corresponds to age 12. It comes right after the Friend (age 10, blue) and Companion (age 11, red) classes.
Each class has a color that identifies its requirements card. The Researcher's is green. Completing the class means fulfilling a set of spiritual, physical, service, and skill requirements, always guided by a responsible instructor.
The purpose isn't just to 'move up a level.' Each requirement was designed for the stage of life of a 12-year-old Pathfinder: an age of more independence, more questions, and more responsibility within the unit and the club.
The meaning of the name 'Researcher'
Researcher comes from research: to investigate, to seek, to discover. The class name captures exactly the focus of this stage — it's the year the Pathfinder is invited to dig more deeply into the life and teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, especially the accounts of Luke and John.
That's why the class's central theme revolves around getting to know Jesus more closely, strengthening personal testimony, preventing alcohol and drug use, and reflecting on what each person can do for God. It's a stage of discovery: discovering the Bible, discovering talents, and discovering one's own role in the mission.
The card's green color fits well with this idea of growth and of something sprouting — the faith and character that keep developing with each class.
"To research is to investigate deeply — it's the year to get to know Jesus closely in the Gospels."Theme of the Researcher class
General requirements of the class
The general requirements are the foundation of every regular class. For Researcher, they include being at least 12 years old, being an active member of the Pathfinder Club, and demonstrating an understanding of the Pathfinder Pledge and Law through an activity such as a skit, debate, or essay.
The general requirements also include reading the year's Junior Book Club selection (with a short summary of what stood out most), reading the recommended devotional books, and actively participating in the club's Bible class.
These requirements are monitored and evaluated by an instructor. At the end, the folder containing the projects, reports, and signed card is reviewed by the Conference or Mission's Youth Ministries department, through the Regional or District coordinator, who authorizes the Investiture.
Read alsoField and Forest Researcher: the advanced class at age 12Specific requirements: Jesus, nature, and service
Beyond the general requirements, each area of the card has its own requirements. In Spiritual Discovery, the highlight is reading the Gospels of Luke and John, with discussion of selected passages, and reading the book 'Beyond the Magic', which helps the Pathfinder reflect on choices and influences.
In Serving Others and Developing Friendship, there are mission and service projects done together with the unit, along with conversations about personal testimony and peer pressure. In Health and Fitness, principles of temperance and body care come into play.
The Nature Study and Camping Skills areas bring in the practical side: identifying trees and birds, tying knots and lashings, finding direction without a compass, and taking part in campouts. There are also requirements such as organizing a special club event and completing additional honors.
Green card, but what about the scarf?
A common question: does each class have a different colored scarf? No. The green color identifies the Researcher class's requirements card — it appears in the class materials, on patches, and in official publications.
The scarf worn with the uniform is the official Pathfinder Club scarf, which follows the standard set by the Division and the Conference/Mission — it doesn't change with each class. What marks progress through the classes is the completed card and the patches earned, not a change of scarf.
So when talking about the 'color of Researcher,' the correct way to put it is green card. If you have questions about uniforms and insignia, your club's leadership and your region's Youth Ministries department are the official reference.
Tips for completing the class and being invested
Start early and put together a folder. Gathering projects, reports, and evidence throughout the year avoids a last-minute rush — and this folder is exactly what will be evaluated before Investiture.
Take the spiritual part at an unhurried pace. Reading Luke and John and the book 'Beyond the Magic' pays off far more when there's discussion with the instructor and the unit. Use Bible class to ask questions and go deeper.
Lean on your unit and your instructor. Many requirements are done as a group (service, camping, mission projects). Actively participating in the unit makes everything lighter — and Investiture, in the end, is the celebration of an achievement reached together.
"The folder with projects, reports, and the signed card is what opens the way to Investiture."The class evaluation process