Why a Yearly theme?
Several years ago I became the director of the Pathfinder club at my church. After only a year into the position, I realized something had to change! My staff and I were finding ourselves struggling to keep the kids, struggling to plan and prepare activities, struggling to do anything of real meaning. The night before our meeting I would find myself pursuing the internet trying to find an honor that I could throw together for the following night. I was not utilizing the staff I had. We were not going on field trips, because I wasn’t planning ahead. I had no direction and felt discouraged because things weren’t going well... probably because I was throwing them together. After a year of this, I knew something had to change or my club was going to flop. Maybe you’ve felt something similar?
I am a teacher by day (a Pathfinder director during all the other times). I was sent to a 3 days workshop called Professional Learning Communities at Work. The main focus of this training was to understand the purpose of a vision and mission statement… to understand that these things were the “why” of your organization. So here’s what I learned about a mission and vision statement…
Once I knew my Pathfinder “why”... I was ready to improve my “what”. I knew I HAD to improve my “what”... my “what” now had purpose. I was on a mission! This mission materialized as a theme for our Pathfinder year. (See list of themes below)
I challenge you today to live out your WHY so that WHAT you do in your club is meaningful, focused, purposeful…. And in turn, successful. Have a great year!
I am a teacher by day (a Pathfinder director during all the other times). I was sent to a 3 days workshop called Professional Learning Communities at Work. The main focus of this training was to understand the purpose of a vision and mission statement… to understand that these things were the “why” of your organization. So here’s what I learned about a mission and vision statement…
- Mission Statement: Your Purpose. Why does our club exist?
- Vision Statement: Your future. It gives your club direction. Where do we need to go? What must we become? What must we accomplish this year?
Once I knew my Pathfinder “why”... I was ready to improve my “what”. I knew I HAD to improve my “what”... my “what” now had purpose. I was on a mission! This mission materialized as a theme for our Pathfinder year. (See list of themes below)
I challenge you today to live out your WHY so that WHAT you do in your club is meaningful, focused, purposeful…. And in turn, successful. Have a great year!
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“When you know your WHY, your WHAT becomes more impactful because you are walking towards or in your purpose!” |
How to choose a theme
How do I choose these themes? The selection is usually driven by a single an event, field trip, honor, or interest. The rest is built around it. For example:
- I found a great state park that had 2 tour caves. I knew I wanted to take the Pathfinders camping here. What things go with this idea that could occupy us all year? Caving honor, bats honor, rocks and minerals honor, search and rescue, survival, reptiles, etc.
- I found a great devotional book entitled, "Heros of the Bible." I knew I wanted to use this for our book study during club worship. What goes with this? A field trip to a local outdoor drama about the life of Jesus. A field trip to the Sight and Sound Theater to see a dramatic presentation about Samson. The Bible character honors from the Florida conference.
- What is your mission & vision be?
- What will your theme be?
- What is one place you want to take the kids?
- Did you find a great worship idea?
- Is there an honor you’ve been wanting to try?
- Are your kids specifically interested in something?”
Example Themes
Below is a list of actual themes from our club over the past few years and the activities we did to go along with the theme.
"ON a Mission to Explore & Serve Together" (2016-2017)
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"Be the change you want to see in the world" (2017-2018)
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"True Heroes Uncovered" (2018-2019)
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"Reach Outside" (2019-2020)
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"Project 3535" (2020-2021 during pandemic)
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Live Out Loud (2022-2023)
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Theme Verse: Psalms 98:4 “Everyone on earth, shout with joy to the Lord. Start singing happy songs of praise!”
Honors: Hymns, Praise and Worship Activities: University of Arkansas Saxaphone Ensemble, Symphony of Northwest Arkansas Christmas Concert. We bought a Ukulele and Recorder for each Pathfinder and all learned to play over the course of the year. Outreach: Christmas Caroling |
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Start Up (2023-2024)
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(Google Binder of Documents)
Theme Verse: "Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 Honors Earned: Business Chrstian Sales Principals Accounting Lettering & Poster Making Marketing Household Budgeting Social Media Stewardship Bookkeeping Pathfinders will become entrepreneurs and make a business & marketing plan to sell products that they have created. Yearlong Plan |
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