Master Guides Join Historic NAD Camporee

GLEN JEAN, W.VA. – Around 300 Master Guides from the Southwestern Union joined about 2,300 others from across North America for the first-ever North American Division Master Guide camporee, held Aug. 6-9 at the Summit Bechtel Reserve.

Every conference in the Southwestern Union was represented. Together, the union’s delegation made a strong showing, ultimately taking top honors in the camporee’s icebreaker activities Thursday evening.

The experience was both inspiring and practical. Camporee organizers designed the schedule to balance fun with purpose. Training seminars and leadership courses helped Master Guides strengthen their skills while community service demonstrations introduced tools and techniques for real-world disaster relief. Attendees also enjoyed games and interactive worship experiences that created opportunities for camaraderie across age groups. 

“When you see young adults engaging, it’s a joy for me to know that the church is in good hands for now and the future,” said Helvis Moody, Southwestern Union young adult and youth ministries director. Moody, who led a session on leadership, found the open discussions especially meaningful. “To me,” he said, “the Master Guide camporee was an opportunity to just develop leaders for the glory of God,” he said.