Live Musical Theater and Lots of Rain Takes Camporee Center Stage
All roads at the International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming, lead to the daily evening program. After a severe storm on August 6 forced organizers to cancel that night’s inaugural festivities, tens of thousands of Pathfinders and their chaperones caravan on August 7 to the main stage and amphitheater for a fast-paced evening of talent and entertainment.
Closer to the main stage, the noise gets louder. “Mexico! Mexico! Mexico!” one group chants as they run through the aisles, waving the Mexican flag. Others join them, creating a stampede of flags and chanting.
The flags are an iconic part of the evening programs at Camporee, highlighting the diversity within Pathfinders.
A sea of people awaits the program’s start. As the sun sets, the crowd swells, and even the very back of the outdoor amphitheater fills with Pathfinders.
Damian Chandler is the keynote speaker for the camporee. He previously spoke at the camporee in 2019.
Chandler has come up with a call and response catchphrase for the week: “I believe,” he shouts, “who he said I would be.”
Because of the previous night’s cancellation, the drama begins with its first act, which was slated for last night. It opens with a biblical scene that sets the stage for the rest of the performances: the Hebrews labor under Egyptian captivity.
The small details matter. As Pharaoh talks with his daughter—who explains that she has not been able to produce an heir to the throne—scenes of Israelite enslavement continue in the foreground.
Grey clouds that hung low in the sky before the program start to release rain on Pathfinders’ ponchos as umbrellas start to appear. Meanwhile, Pharaoh’s daughter, who just heard about a brutal plan to eliminate potential Hebrew uprisings by murdering babies, shouts, “Kill the babies?!”
A few decide to leave as the rain intensifies.
Those who stay resort to creative means to keep dry. One pathfinder without an umbrella uses a camp chair to ward off the rain.
Before long, entire sections have vacated. The rain returns to a slight sprinkle, though, and many stick it out.
Jochabed holds “Moses” (a lifelike doll) before she puts him in the river to save him from the infanticidal ruler.
Rain continues falling on performers and audience members, but the show must go on.
Pharoah’s daughter finds the infant Moses floating in a basket and decides to make the baby her own—which ensures she’ll remain in power after her father dies.
Her attendants do not see the value. Giving her a side eye, they whisper among themselves about her decision.
Eventually, Baby Moses is returned to his elated mother and father. A royal palace guard watches the reunion with slight misgiving.
After act one of the Moses drama ends, the program transitions to a flag and drum corps ceremony. A text message is sent by Campbell County alerting those in the vicinity that a thunderstorm is about 20 minutes away.
Flags from each country represented at the camporee parade across the stage, keeping time with the drummers. Loudspeakers announce that act two of the play will begin shortly.
As the drum corps performs, light rain resumes.
The attendees are soaked, and many start heading back to their camp sites.
The Pathfinders are suddenly called to “attention,” “parade rest,” and “prayer attention.” On stage, Pathfinders pray in several languages. Aside from the prayers (and some minor audio issues) it is is completely silent. Even the wind has stopped gusting. It feels like a solemn moment.
Mist falls, and fog rises during the prayers, creating a picturesque scene.
By this point, the rain again came down steadily.
The worship band takes the stage in preparation for act two, but most of the remaining audience leaves the amphitheater because of pouring rain. The rainfall creates crackles and pops over the sound system as audio equipment and musical instruments risk being damaged. Eventually, program directors call off the remainder of the program, reminiscent of the previous night’s program cancellation.
