Every February, Wisconsin Pathfinder clubs eagerly anticipate the Winter Retreat at Camp Wakonda. Unlike our spacious summer camping events—where everyone can spread out and pitch a tent—indoor heated accommodations are limited. This makes the retreat a first-come, first-served event, with registration filling up quickly. Yet even when February nights dip into frigid temperatures, we manage to warmly welcome nearly 200 Pathfinders and adult chaperones into our cozy lodges and cabins.
On February 20-22 2026, this year’s Winter Retreat carried the inspiring theme “I Am a Child of the King.” The program focused on discerning truth from error, embracing God as our loving Father, recognizing His goodness, and sharing that truth with others. Our guest speaker, Pastor Tom Baker, brought his well-known passion for youth ministry. He connected deeply with both Pathfinders and leaders through heartfelt preaching, interactive group discussions, and clever optical illusions that invited everyone to question whether we can always trust what our eyes tell us. Pastor Zack and a team of young adults led music throughout the weekend, with the theme song “Good, Good Father” playing into the overall theme.
We aren’t always blessed by snowy weather on Winter Retreat weekends, but this weekend was a rare treat of the natural beauty of the camp. Friday morning, ahead of the event, a blizzard swept through central Wisconsin and left the camp gleaming in pure white splendor. This is fortunate, because all of Sabbath afternoon’s activity plans revolved around snow and ice. Pathfinders enjoyed snow-sculpting, sledding, ice fishing, broom ball, nature hikes, and scavenger hunts in the glittering snow globe of Camp Wakonda. It was a weekend to remember, as you’ll see from the pictures.
One of the weekend’s highlights is always Saturday evening’s race, held after the day’s devotional and educational sessions conclude. In odd-numbered years, Pathfinders race handcrafted wooden cars in the Pinewood Derby. In even-numbered years like 2026, the focus shifts to the Toy Boat Regatta, where handmade vessels take to the water. Watching the excitement build—as Pathfinders (and staff alike) proudly register their creations and cheer on their peers—is a cherished tradition every year.
This year’s retreat also marked the deadline for the Pathfinder Fair Patch Design Contest. Pathfinders from across the area submit original artwork, and one winning design is selected by the Area Coordinators to grace the official 2026 Pathfinder Fair patch. The upcoming Fair, themed “Trending With Jesus,” is scheduled for May 1–3.
Next year’s Pathfinder Winter Retreat may look a little different. We discussed with club leaders on Sunday morning that, as clubs grow and multiply around the Wisconsin Conference, there are more people who want to come than can fit in winter-appropriate housing. That’s a great problem to have, and for our Pathfinder Camporees and our Pathfinder Fairs, it’s not a problem because they are camping events and the camp has plenty of room for everyone. However, it’s a struggle to continue planning events that we know everyone wants to go to, but not everyone can make it to. Starting in 2027, the plan is to shift the focus and audience of this event to Pathfinders in 8th grade and older. That will help with the space problems, and it will also give older Pathfinders something to look forward to: an event just for them. We’ve seen the value of this from other conferences that have intentional programming and outings for teen Pathfinders, and the Wisconsin Conference has a long-term plan for connecting with this age group more in the future.
Pastor Zack Payne,
Youth Director