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Oct 01

Emory and Sarah Kelley Welcome Early Arrival at Camporee

Clarissa Rosario and
Rebecca Carpenter

Contributed

Contributed

Contributed

On Friday night of the International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyo., after the evening presentation, the unexpected happened. Sarah Kelley, after taking a chance traveling to the Camporee when she was nearly full term, felt her water break. She decided to stay overnight in their tent, not leaving for the hospital until Sabbath morning. Fast forward to Sabbath evening, and little Nathaniel made his grand entrance, the first baby to ever be born to attendees during an International Camporee.

Emory and Sarah Kelley, both 22 years old, have deep roots in the Pathfinder Club in their home state of North Carolina — Emory hailing from Greenville and Sarah from Boone. Their love story began at a GYC Conference in Kentucky. Sparks flew, and they stayed connected through various Pathfinder events including the Teen Leadership Teams (TLTs), eventually tying the knot last October 2023. Even their wedding vows included keeping the Pathfinder pledge and law in their marriage. They now reside in Winston Salem, N.C., and are members of the Winston Salem First Church.

Emory has been involved in Pathfinders since he was 9 years old, and Sarah since she was 14. Their dedication to the club is evident, with Emory serving as deputy director and Sarah becoming secretary for the Winston Salem First Club next year. The couple also serves as area representatives on the Carolina Conference Pathfinder Council.

Though baby Nathaniel decided to arrive a bit early — about a month before his September 10, 2024, due date — everything went smoothly, much to the relief of his parents. The little guy was born at 35 weeks and 6 days. Just days before she had the baby, Sarah was out in the 100-degree heat painting lines for the camping spaces and doing other jobs. Hector Gonzales, Carolina Conference Pathfinder director, shared, “We were informed on the Council that she was going to attend even though she’d be over eight months pregnant. We were worried, but she said, ‘I’ll do whatever I need to do.’”

Thinking that the new parents weren’t likely to have brought baby supplies with them, Gonzales contacted Tam Adams, Pathfinder Council leader, who sent out a WhatsApp message to the rest of the team to raise money. They collected $450 for the couple, which was used for a car seat, diapers, and clothes for the 24-hour drive home.

Their Pathfinder club is buzzing with excitement over their newest member. After all, not every club can boast about having a “Camporee baby”! The Kelleys are overjoyed, and one can only imagine the adventures that await them as they embark on this new chapter as a family of three. Congratulations to the Kelley family on their bundle of joy!

Carolina | October 2024

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