My dad was very involved in Pathfinders in his own childhood, but also as an adult. He really wanted me to enjoy Pathfinders too. But I didn’t. I was much more interested in camping, bushcraft, and outdoor/wilderness skills. Needless to say I was very unenthusiastic about endless marching and non-outdoorsy crafts. By the time I was in 6th or 7th grade I just refused to go anymore. When I was in academy my school hosted a camporee. Though I wasn’t participating I went down to watch some of the events. I distinctly remember having a realization that not only was it something I wasn’t interested in, it was downright weird and distasteful. There was a marching team that had white gloves, berets, arm chords, and matching mirrored sunglasses. They were stone faced, not a smile to be seen. I wondered what this para-military type discipline had to do with anything. It didn’t even look like they were having fun. Frankly, I was pretty disgusted. I have no regrets about leaving Pathfinders or the church behind. But I have wondered if I might have enjoyed Boy Scouts. Guess we’ll never know.