Oakwood University Church in Huntsville, Ala., made history earlier this month by launching its first Friendship Camp, a dedicated camping experience designed specifically for 10-year-old Pathfinders in the Friend Class — the youngest members of the Pathfinder Club.
The pilot program, held April 5-7, 2025, offered an engaging, hands-on, and spiritually enriching outdoor weekend. The camp was created to address the developmental needs of the Friend Class while focusing on essential Pathfinder skills, building friendships, and supporting spiritual growth.
Led by a team of dedicated volunteers and youth leaders under the guidance of Brian Dublin, Pathfinder director, and Dwain Woode, M.D., Friend Class counselor, the Friendship Camp initiative was part of a bold effort to create a unique experience for young participants. Unlike larger Pathfinder campouts, the Friend Class weekend offered a more intimate and age-specific environment.
Campers arrived on Friday, pitching their tents and preparing for a weekend of learning, laughter, and community building. Despite rain late Saturday night, which forced the group to move indoors to the church’s Family Life Center, the event proceeded smoothly. Organizers noted that the storm’s timing seemed providential, as campers and equipment were safely moved inside before heavy rainfall started.
Throughout the weekend, campers not only developed life skills but also earned four honors: Pin Trading, Seeds, Red Alert, and a special Friendship Camp honor developed exclusively for the event. Activities included hiking, drill exercises, group discussions, worship services, and leadership training.
A key highlight of the weekend was the active involvement of TLTs (Teen Leadership Trainees), who were integrated into the camp structure as leaders- in-training. TLTs Blake Woode, Caroline Anderson, Matthew Robinson, Annayia Crummy, and Brooklyn Dublin managed logistics, meal preparation, tent setups, and camper support.
The TLT teens demonstrated their leadership capacity, particularly during Friday’s dinner when they worked as a team to organize, prepare, and serve a meal for all participants. Their efforts earned praise from both campers and organizers, highlighting their growth as emerging leaders
Serving as “Master Chiefs,” Myra Graves and Brian Dublin Jr., provided spiritual guidance and oversight during the camp. Graves added a creative touch by designing a custom logo for Friendship Camp, which was turned into a commemorative patch. Each Pathfinder received one of the patches as a keepsake, symbolizing their accomplishments and experiences over the weekend.
Young Pathfinders shared heartfelt reflections at the end of the event. Among the highlights:
• “I liked that I got to enjoy myself, have fun with my friends, and also have some good food.”
• “I learned you need a permit to start a fire — and that not everything is a game. Sometimes you have to be serious.”
• “We moved to the gym right before the rain came. It was like Jesus was holding it back just for us.”
Speaking after the weekend, Woode reflected on the event during the church’s investiture program: “We’re always looking to innovate, and this year’s Friendship Camp was one of those innovations. No fuss: just tents, tools, teamwork, and trust. It was a special weekend that we believe laid a foundation for many more Friend Class campers to come.”
The pilot program drew enthusiastic support from parents, church leaders, and Conference officials. With its success, Oakwood University Church now hopes to make Friendship Camp a recurring tradition, blending faith, friendship, and personal development for its youngest Pathfinders.
South Central | August 2025
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