The Camporee is the most anticipated event of the year for any Pathfinder. But between the excitement of seeing the field filled with tents and the moment you actually get there, there's a step that makes all the difference: preparation. Arriving well prepared — with the right gear, documents in order, a rested body, and a ready heart — is what separates an unforgettable Camporee from a stressful week. This checklist gathers what clubs and official Pathfinder materials typically recommend. Whenever something varies from one Camporee to another, we'll flag it: the final rule is always your event's official guidance manual.
Start with the list: camping gear
The foundation of everything is what will shelter you and keep you comfortable at the campsite. The centerpiece is the tent. When choosing one, consider how many people it needs to fit (better to have extra room than not enough) and how it will be transported — by car or on your back. Many clubs camp by unit, so coordinate with your counselor on who brings what, so you don't end up with three tents and no stake bag.
For a good night's sleep, bring a sleeping bag suited to the season and a sleeping pad or foam mat — the ground pulls more heat from your body than you'd think. Round it out with a pillow (or a pillowcase you can stuff with clothes), a flashlight with spare batteries, and, if your club uses one, a lantern for the tent.
Also think about cooking and mess gear, depending on what your Camporee allows: some are self-sufficient (each club cooks for itself), while others provide meals. Washable plates, utensils, and mugs, trash bags, and a folding stool or chair usually make the list — at many Camporees, an individual stool is even required for activities.
Uniform and personal care
The uniform is taken seriously at a Camporee and often counts toward the club's score. In general, each Pathfinder is asked to bring at least two uniforms: the dress uniform (official) and the activity uniform (everyday wear, like the club T-shirt). The dress uniform should be complete — scarf, slide, honors sash, black shoes, socks (black for boys, white for girls), and all patches and insignia in their correct places. It's worth checking all of this ahead of time, since last-minute sewing is guaranteed stress.
Clothing for the rest of the time should cover both cold and heat: a jacket, a rain poncho, swimwear per the event's rules, plenty of socks and underwear, and closed, comfortable walking shoes. Bring a separate bag for dirty laundry.
Your hygiene kit shouldn't be missing: toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, shampoo, towel, toilet paper, deodorant, and, for girls, feminine hygiene items. Add the essential protective items: sunscreen, insect repellent, a cap or hat, and your canteen or water bottle — staying hydrated is a safety item, not a luxury.
"Check your tent, sleeping bag, clothes, and gear, and bring everything you'll need: uniform, flashlight, sunscreen, repellent, canteen, and your Bible."Typical club guidance for Camporee participants
Documents and authorizations: handle this first
Before the gear, really, come the papers — because without them a Pathfinder doesn't board the bus or get through the gate. Documentation is organized by the club's leadership and submitted at the Camporee's front desk, but each family needs to handle its own part. The most common set includes parental or guardian authorization (required for minors, with a signature), a completed medical form, and a copy of an ID or birth certificate.
The medical form deserves extra attention: it typically asks about allergies (including food allergies), medication use, conditions like diabetes, and other information the event's health team needs to know. Many fields print this form directly from the club's own management system (SGC). If the Pathfinder takes ongoing medication, bring enough of it, clearly labeled and, whenever possible, accompanied by the prescription.
There are also items the club handles, such as insurance for all participants and, in some cases, transportation contracts. But the message for families is simple: turn in the authorization and medical form to the leadership early. A late document is the number one cause of headaches the day before departure.
Physical prep and practicing the requirements
A Camporee is tiring — and that's part of the fun. It's days of walking, heat, sun, activities, and shorter nights. That's why it pays to arrive with your body ready. In the weeks before, keep up a routine of light, regular physical activity, stay well hydrated, and, above all, sleep well the week leading up to the event. Those who arrive exhausted get sick more easily and enjoy it less.
Much of the preparation happens right at the club. Drill practice — that synchronized marching that mobilizes the whole club — usually happens at meetings in the weeks before. Drill builds discipline, reflexes, teamwork, and unity, and tends to produce one of the most anticipated moments of the Camporee. Don't skip these practices: the group's synchronization depends on everyone showing up.
Also practice the requirements and challenges your Camporee will test — knots and lashings, first aid, timed tent setup, fire building, honors, memory verses. The event manual usually lists the scoring and what will be evaluated. Practicing ahead of time, at a relaxed pace, turns the test into a moment of confidence rather than panic.
Spiritual preparation: the heart packs a bag too
A Camporee isn't just competition and adventure: it revolves around a spiritual theme. Leadership itself often describes the event as an invitation to spiritual preparation, not just logistics. So pack what feeds the heart: your Bible and your Sabbath School lesson are considered essential for devotional moments.
Before traveling, prepare on the inside too. Keeping up personal devotions in the weeks before, memorizing the theme verse, attending meetings, and going with a spirit of service and respect makes the Camporee far more rewarding. The schedule commonly includes worship services, Bible studies, times of prayer, and even baptisms — arriving open to that is part of being ready.
For families, here's a tip: talk with your child or teen about the meaning of the Camporee before they leave. Knowing they're about to experience something bigger than tests and medals — an experience of faith and friendship — helps the Pathfinder enjoy it with their heart in the right place.
"The Guidance Manual is more than a guide for the event, it's an invitation to spiritual preparation and excellence in every detail."Guidance Manual, VI South American Division Camporee 2027 (adventistas.org)
Safety tips that make everything easier
Safety at a Camporee is teamwork between the club and the family, and a few simple habits prevent most headaches. Label your belongings — the Pathfinder's name and club on the backpack, tent, and valuables — and bring only what's necessary. Agree with the Pathfinder on meeting points and make sure they always move around with a buddy, never alone across the campground, especially at night.
Take care of the health basics: constant hydration (a full canteen), reapplied sunscreen, repellent, and closed shoes to avoid sprains and bites. Bring a small personal first-aid kit, and if there's any health condition, make sure the leadership knows — that's exactly what the medical form is for.
Finally, respect the event's rules: schedules, permitted areas, fire restrictions, and camp boundaries. These rules exist to protect thousands of people gathered in the same place. A prepared Pathfinder is also a Pathfinder who looks out for others — and that, in the end, is what a Camporee most wants to teach.