The Seventh Day Adventist church in Samoa hosted their annual "Pathfinders fair" on Monday with the SDA school field at Lalovaea packed with congregation members of Upolu SDA churches.

Director for the Youth Ministry in Samoa and Tokelau, Pastor Tino Okesene, told the Samoa Observer in an interview that the event was set for all the SDA churches in Upolu but unfortunately not everyone could attend due to unforeseen circumstance.

"There should be 60 churches or clubs that should be here, but there is only 25 who is participating in today's Pathfinders fair," he said.

"This is a pathfinders club event for kids ages 10 to 14. The sports they are playing right now are from the things they've learned from their classes. They start from friend to guide. 

"These games can help them prepare for anything such as camping, building a shelter using woods, and many other. It helps them to react to different kinds of events that may arise in their surroundings."

Their sports event was divided into eight games, the Marching Drills, Flags, Questions and Answers, Parts of the Bible (Vaevaega o le Tusi Paia), Coconut Relay, Knots, Lashing & Semaphor, and Super Hero (Funny Game).

"Not only that we do common sports but we also do religious sports to test their understanding and knowledge of the lessons being taught in their classes. 

"This is one way we know that they are learning and are making progress. The game that is happening right now is knots, and will be followed by Lashing and Semaphor. 

"With Lashing and Semaphor, they will be building a house then a kid will climb up on top and write a message and the others will read it out."

According to Pastor Tino, these games is essential for them to learn as it will help them in the future when they go camping as well as in whatever that they do. 

They will learn these skills and they won't be surprised when anything arises as they are already prepared for it, he added.

Despite the hot weather, all the participants enjoyed themselves at the SDA school field at Lalovaea joined by families and friends who crowded the sports field on Monday.