Pathfinders ministry was born in the heart of Paul Etheridge, a Royal Ranger and a fellow FCF'er, to provide work teams for needy places where many other MAPS teams are unable to go. This focus does not change; Pathfinders continues to provide teams to accomplish these most difficult projects. To help promote Royal Rangers involvement at all levels of AGHM and AGWM MAPS projects, one identifiable name was needed. Pathfinders is that name and has three categories: Bronze, Silver and Gold trips.
    Royal Rangers Pathfinders provides teams to meet needs in Mission America Placement Service (AGHM MAPS) and Missions Abroad Placement Service (AGWM MAPS). The most difficult MAPS projects go and serve where other teams are unable to go because of primitive conditions. (The most dificult projects are now now as the Gold Pathfinder. These Gold Pathfinder projects will continue to be a primary focus.)

VISION:
    Royal Rangers participating in AGHM and AGWM MAPS projects through Bronze, Silver and Gold Pathfinders approved trips.

PURPOSE:

• Royal Rangers participation in AGHM and AGWM MAPS projects.

• To make propagation of the gospel possible in all areas of the world by assisting in MAPS construction projects.
• To retain the current Pathfinders mission "To Go Where No One Will Go" type projects.
• To provide additional credit for AGHM projects and regular AGWM MAPS projects.
• To develop a closer working relationship between AGHM MAPS, AGWM MAPS and the national Royal Rangers ministry.
• To encourage others to become involved in a home and world missions benevolent service.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE:
    Participants in all three categories can be Royal Rangers, FCF'ers and skilled non-Royal Rangers approved by their pastor and by AGHM or AGWM office.

    Royal Rangers who participate in any of the three categories may wear the appropriate Pathfinders pin on their uniform or awards vest per the uniform guide. To qualify for the Pathfinder award, the member must participate in a mission that meets the criteria listed below.

BRONZE:
AGHM MAPS trips within the United States. The Pathfinders pin has a bronze world on the pin to identify this category.

• The project must be approved throught he AGHM MAPS office and have a project number.
• Projects must have prior approval of the national Royal Rangers office.
• The AGHM MAPS project must be outside of your home district to qualify. Projects within your home district are given Trappers Brigade points credit.

SILVER:
AGHM or AGWM MAPS trips with your church, or any team approved by the MAPS office and national Royal Rangers office. The Pathfinders pin has a silver world on the pin to identify this category.

• The project must be approved through the MAPS office and have a project number.
• Projects must have prior approval of the district office and the national Royal Rangers office.
• The mission must be at least five days long, not including travel time.

GOLD:
The phrase "To go where no one else will go" is an appropriate missions statement. These are experienced tradesmen and individuals who choose a difficult project to complete. The project may include hiking, backpacking, boating, or conoeing to out-of-the-way locations that may not have electricity or other modern conditions. The Gold Project coordinator will evaluate these projects. The Pathfinders pin has a gold world on the pin to identify this category.

• The Pathfinders Gold projects must also be approved by the AGWM MAPS office and national Royal Rangers office.
• The project must be the type most other groups would not attempt because of remote location, hardship, or required campcraft skills. To provide teams for difficult projects typically not done by other church teams.

    Royal Rangers who participate in any of the three categories may wear the appropriate Pathfinders pin on their uniform or awards vest per the uniform guide. To qualify for the Pathfinder award, the member must participate in a mission that meets the criteria listed below.

BRONZE:
AGHM MAPS trips within the United States. The Pathfinders pin has a bronze world on the pin to identify this category.

• The project must be approved throught he AGHM MAPS office and have a project number.
• Projects must have prior approval of the national Royal Rangers office.
• The AGHM MAPS project must be outside of your home district to qualify. Projects within your home district are given Trappers Brigade points credit.

SILVER:
AGHM or AGWM MAPS trips with your church, or any team approved by the MAPS office and national Royal Rangers office. The Pathfinders pin has a silver world on the pin to identify this category.

• The project must be approved through the MAPS office and have a project number.
• Projects must have prior approval of the district office and the national Royal Rangers office.
• The mission must be at least five days long, not including travel time.

GOLD:
The phrase "To go where no one else will go" is an appropriate missions statement. These are experienced tradesmen and individuals who choose a difficult project to complete. The project may include hiking, backpacking, boating, or conoeing to out-of-the-way locations that may not have electricity or other modern conditions. The Gold Project coordinator will evaluate these projects. The Pathfinders pin has a gold world on the pin to identify this category.

• The Pathfinders Gold projects must also be approved by the AGWM MAPS office and national Royal Rangers office.
• The project must be the type most other groups would not attempt because of remote location, hardship, or required campcraft skills. To provide teams for difficult projects typically not done by other church teams.