Starting a Pathfinder Club is one of the most beautiful gifts a church can give its youth: a space of faith, adventure, friendship, and growth for boys and girls ages 10 to 15. But contrary to what many people imagine, a club isn't born from one enthusiastic person's solo decision. It's born from an organized process, with the support of the local church and registration with the field (the Conference or Mission of your region). The good news is that this path is well defined. In this guide, we've gathered the official step by step, from the first conversation to the club's first meeting. And whenever something can vary by region, we'll make that clear so you're never left in the dark.
Before You Start: What a Real Club Actually Is
It's worth understanding one thing from the outset: a Pathfinder Club is not a group of friends who get together to go camping. It's an official ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, for boys and girls ages 10 to 15, with a program that blends spiritual life, nature, honors, regular classes, and service to others. That's why starting a club involves the whole church, not just whoever had the idea.
That changes how you begin. The club needs the church's legitimate backing to exist: it's the local church that approves it, chooses its leaders, and supports it. And it's the field (Conference or Mission) that officially recognizes it, connects it to the larger structure of the Pathfinder Ministry, and provides training. Understanding this from day one prevents frustration and gives the club a solid foundation from the start.
If you're a parent or a member with this desire in your heart, your initial role is clear: be the first one to get things moving. Gather willing people, pray about it, and bring the idea through the right channels, in the right order. That's exactly what the next steps show.
Step 1: The Decision and Support of the Local Church
The first formal step happens inside the church. The idea needs to reach the local church board, which has the authority to approve the club's founding. According to the Pathfinder Ministry's guidelines, it's up to this board to choose the leaders who will organize the club, vote on and approve its founding, and even suggest names for the club. This step provides the legitimate backing we mentioned.
Along this path, the local pastor is a key player. He is the leader chosen by the Conference or Mission to oversee all of the church's activities, and he generally knows the structure well enough to help with the organization. Talking with the pastor before (or alongside) bringing the matter to the board tends to make everything flow more smoothly. Treat him as an ally from the very beginning.
In practice, it helps to come to the board with the idea already well thought out: why start the club, how many young people the church has, who could lead it, and what support is needed. Remember to also involve the teenagers' parents: they tend to be a new club's biggest partners.
"The Church needs to be involved in this process, to give the Club legitimate backing."Pathfinder Ministry
Step 2: Guidance from the Conference or Mission
With the church on board, it's time to talk to whoever coordinates the clubs in your region. The field's Pathfinder Ministry leader (your Conference or Mission) and their staff are responsible for all the clubs in the area. They exist precisely to support those getting started, and this contact is essential to doing everything within the guidelines.
The process is usually simple: call the Conference or Mission office and ask to speak with the Pathfinder department. From there, you may be guided by the department leader or by the district or regional coordinator responsible for your area, who often even pays a visit to help set up the club on site.
Here's an important point of honesty: practical details like required documentation, deadlines, fees, insurance, and calendar can vary from field to field. So rather than following a fixed script found online, confirm each requirement directly with your region's coordination. They are the ones who can speak with authority about local procedures.
Step 3: The Director and the Staff
The heart of the club's leadership is the director. He is chosen and voted in by the local church board, and must be a person of maturity and good reputation, a baptized and active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Pathfinder Ministry's guidelines state that the director must be 18 or older, precisely because he is the legal guardian of the young people during official activities. By joining the club's leadership, the director becomes part of the church board.
The director, however, doesn't work alone. The staff brings together associate directors (at least one man and one woman), plus a secretary, treasurer, chaplain, counselors, and instructors. These leaders should be committed, of legal age, with a dynamic spirit, and willing to truly engage in the activities. A good team is what separates a club that lasts from one that runs out of steam within a few months.
It's worth noting a useful distinction: being director requires being a full 18 years old (as legal guardian), but other leadership roles in the club, such as unit counselor, can be filled by people 16 and older, according to the ministry's guidelines. This opens space to involve young leaders in training alongside the responsible adults.
"The Club Director is the legal guardian of the young people during official activities."Pathfinder Ministry Guidelines
Step 4: Registering the Club and Training the Staff
With the director and staff set by the church, the club needs to be officially registered with the field, that is, the Conference or Mission. This registration is what makes the club recognized within the Pathfinder Ministry's structure, and it's also where the name chosen for the club, from the suggestions voted on by the church, is confirmed.
Along with registration comes a step that can't be skipped: staff training. The field's Pathfinder Ministry runs the Basic Training Course for the staff, and it's essential that the entire leadership take part. A club is far healthier when its leaders understand from the start how the program's spiritual, administrative, and educational sides work.
This is also the right time to align practical matters with the coordination: member documentation, forms, parental permissions, insurance, and the regional calendar. Since these items can vary by field, handle them directly with whoever guides your region rather than assuming. Getting this right from the start avoids headaches down the road.
Step 5: Units, Counselors, and Planning
With the team in place, the internal structure gets organized. The club is divided into units, small groups of Pathfinders led by a counselor. The guideline is that each boys' unit have a male counselor and each girls' unit have a female counselor, all of legal age. The counselor has the closest contact with the Pathfinders, making this one of the club's most important roles.
Next comes what many consider the most important step in the whole organization: building the annual program. The executive committee meets to define the regular meetings, goals, costs, activities, participation in regional events and camporees, and also how it will be promoted. A club with a clear calendar starts the whole year off on the right foot.
Finally, it's announced to the church. During a service, present the club, its goals, and its program, and invite those interested in supporting it, especially the parents. Many fields recommend announcing the opening schedule a few weeks in advance, opening a registration period, and, after an adjustment period, holding the induction ceremony, when the new Pathfinders receive their scarf. That's the moment the dream becomes a real club.