This decision means the camporee will move from Oshkosh, Wisconsin to Gillette, Wyoming, and the new dates are August 5-11, 2024.
Debbie Michel
January 28, 2021On Jan. 26, 2021, the 2024 International Camporee Executive Advisory Committee voted to change the location and date of the 2024 Believe the Promise Camporee. This decision means the camporee will move from Oshkosh, Wisconsin to Gillette, Wyoming, and the new dates are August 5-11, 2024.
The rationale for the changes, which came about after countless hours of research, planning, site visits and prayer, was the fact that the camporee has grown exponentially over the years. The International Camporee was first held in Oshkosh in 1999 with the Discover the Power International Camporee. That camporee attracted about 23,000. In 2019, there were over 55,000 participants from 105 countries from around the world at the Chosen International Camporee.
According to the Camporee Director, Ron Whitehead, who also serves as the Lake Union Youth Director: “For years we have been looking for another site to grow the International Camporee, but it was not until recently we found, or should I say that God found a new campground for His camporee.”
For months, evaluation teams visited the Cam-Plex Facilities in Gillette, Wyoming to determine if this new site offers more support for the International Camporee and it was felt that the new location will greatly improve the International Camporee experience for all attendees.
The Cam-Plex facilities regularly host large events that include camping and on-site activities much like the Camporee, and it boasts the largest campground of full amenities in the world. This means double the indoor activity space, more camping space, and over 25 new additional activities unique to the west.
Whitehead notes that the vote, representing Pathfinder leaders, conference presidents, and others from around the world, was unanimous. “It surprised me that everyone was in one accord.” For him this signaled it was indeed the right decision. “I had prayed that God would make it very clear where He wanted His Camporee and I believe 100% vote from leaders all over the world gave me my prayerful answer,” he says. “God made it clear He wants His International Camporee to go west.”
Another benefit is that the date of the camporee could be changed to a week earlier. Due to date restrictions at the Experiential Aircraft Association’s Aviation Center, that was never possible.
“This is a benefit to Adventist schools,” says Whitehead. “This gives most students a week after the International Camporee is over to get back home for their school opening.”
As expected, there are some who decry the move but Whitehead says that group doesn’t include our Wisconsin Pathfinders. “They are excited. Now they can leave their state for an International Camporee.”
For more information, join the camporee organizers for a Q &A next Tuesday, February 2 at 1:00 p.m. EST via Facebook live on the International Camporee Facebook page.
You can also watch a video announcement at https://www.camporee.org/
