SOME 400 campers from the Caribbean will travel to Guyana this week to participate in a five-day Survival and Wilderness Training Camp for Pathfinders and Master Guides being hosted by the Seventh-Day Adventists (SDA) denomination.

The initiative was set in motion by the Caribbean Union Conference, which is the administrative headquarters for the Adventist Church in the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Windward Islands, Guyana and Suriname.

The visitors along with some 1,500 Guyanese will meet at the body’s Loo-Creek campsite located on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway for the event themed ‘I Dream of Greatness Camporee: Guyana 2018’ from March 27-31.
At the opening ceremony, President David Granger is expected to deliver the feature address and to inspect a Guard-of-Honour, while other ministers of government will also be in attendance.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure under the management of Minister David Patterson has awarded a contract of some G$10 million towards the surfacing of a loam road in place of the previous sand road for smooth passage into the camp site.
Apart from the main tent, the camp will see other small tents and booths set up to facilitate medical services, registration, food, camporee souvenirs and more.

The campers will compete in challenges such as obstacle courses; will be trained in areas such as tent-building, fire-building and first aid; will experience drama and church services and will be trained in nine Master Guide and Pathfinder camp honours.

According to Assistant Youth Ministry Director Lennox Jason, safety is an important aspect of the camp’s success and, as such, members of the local conference have teamed up with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to assist with security throughout the event’s duration.
In addition, prior to entry, all individuals including campers, visitors and vendors, must produce a security pass acquired during the registration period of the camp.

The Caribbean Union camp has been in the planning stages for quite some time under the direction of Union Youth Director Pastor Anthony Hall, who realised that Guyana is the only country within the Region with a pristine campsite to provide the best camping experience.
The Caribbean visitors will also be given the chance to visit other tourist locations in Guyana, either prior to or after the camping event.

Just last week, the body hosted a Caribbean Union Conference (CARU) ‘Impact Guyana 2018’ evangelistic initiative, whereby 50 preachers from the Caribbean conducted one-week crusades in various parts of the country, baptising over 1,200 individuals.