Gillette Pathfinders Urged to Head Home Due to Storms
9 August 2024 |
Early Friday morning, the leaders of the Gillette Pathfinder Camporee announced that they were suspending the event and sending everyone home, according to the Gillette News Record.
The International Pathfinder Camporee has canceled its final nightly show scheduled for Saturday and may see attendees leave Gillette early due to the potential for severe weather Saturday afternoon and evening. Camporee leadership, in collaboration with international and national division and union leaders, decided to finish the evening main stage nighttime program on Friday. “The weather is unpredictable, and they wanted to make the safest decision based on the information we have,” said Kimberly Maran, a spokesperson for Camporee.
The National Weather Service office in Rapid City said Friday morning that there is the potential for severe storms in Gillette region Saturday afternoon and evening, including heavy rain, wind gusts of 40-60 mph, lightning, and some hail. “It’s not a forecast I take lightly by any means—there’s a lot relying on it,” said meteorologist Keith Sherburn.
Some clubs left Friday, though some Friday afternoon and evening and Saturday morning events would continue, weather permitting. Those traveling by plane had less flexibility to leave early.
Said Kimberly Maran, spokesperson for the Camporee.
“The weather is unpredictable, and they wanted to make the safest decision based on the information we have.”
The News Record has reported that some Gillette residents were quite unhappy having the Camporee in town. “Whose bright idea was it to invite 60,000 people … I don’t really care, but seriously?” said one resident. “I just don’t want to deal with that many people. I’m going to wait until they go bye-bye.”
