Estimated Read Time: 6 minutes
Disclaimer: The following story is fictional but based on real-world scenarios and patterns identified through ARM’s work with churches. It is designed to illustrate key principles for launching a church safety program.
It was only a game of Capture the Flag.
Jacob had been darting between trees, heart pounding with excitement. The Pathfinder clubs had split into teams for the ultimate game of capture the flag, a high-stakes match planned during the last day of their weekend camping trip. Leaders had spent time carefully mapping out the boundaries and setting safety expectations. Everyone knew the rules—or so they thought.Jacob, one of the club’s most energetic 11-year-olds, zigzagged through the woods, intent on winning the game. His teammates shouted directions, their voices full of excitement, while the opposing team scattered in every direction. But in his tunnel vision to grab the flag, he forgot the strategy and ran full speed through unfamiliar terrain. That’s when it happened. One wrong step. A sharp scream. And then, silence
A few minutes passed. Marcus’s team was in trouble—more than half of their players were stuck in "jail," and he was deep in enemy territory on a rescue mission to free them. The game was still going, but tension was high. Whispers about the flag being captured were spreading, though no one knew for sure. As Marcus crept through the woods, eyes darting for guards, he noticed sudden movement just off the trail. That’s when he saw Jacob lying on the ground, holding his ankle and blinking back tears. He’d tripped on a tree root while sprinting downhill, landing awkwardly and twisting his leg.
The panic kicked in fast. Marcus froze for a second, unsure of what to do, before remembering something from their Pathfinder safety session. “Call an adult. Don’t move him.”
What happened next became a powerful teachable moment for the entire club.
From Training to Real Life
Pathfinder Counselor Monique had trained for this. As soon as she heard the alert, she grabbed her first aid kit and moved with purpose. When she arrived, she calmly assessed the situation, asked clear questions, and stabilized Jacob’s ankle. Her tone was focused but kind—one of those voices that makes you feel safe just hearing it.Later that afternoon, she gathered the Pathfinders around the campfire, not just to debrief, but to educate. “What we just experienced,” she said, “is why we prepare. Risk isn’t about being afraid. It’s about being aware.”
Why Leaders Teach Risk Awareness Early
The Spy Danger Honor was born out of this very philosophy: that Pathfinders shouldn’t just follow rules—they should understand why those rules exist. In the Spy Danger workbook, club members explore real-life scenarios where risks might pop up in everyday Pathfinder activities—like hikes, camping, community service, or games. They learn how to spot danger before it escalates.But teaching risk isn’t just about pointing out what’s wrong. It’s about building awareness in a way that’s age-appropriate, hands-on, and empowering. It’s about giving kids tools they can actually use, and leaders the confidence that they’re passing on life-saving lessons—not just badges.
Monique often says, “Every Pathfinder is a leader in training. And good leaders learn how to recognize risk before it becomes a problem.”
For Jacob and Marcus, that day changed their perspective. For Monique and the other leaders, it was a reminder that what they’re teaching isn’t just policy—it’s protection. And for every Pathfinder Club reading this, it’s a call to treat risk education not as an afterthought, but as a foundation.
Because sometimes, the best way to keep your club safe… is to train the kids to be spies. For danger, that is.
Risk Management Isn’t Just for Grownups
As a Pathfinder leader, you already carry the sacred responsibility of supervision. You plan activities, lead hikes, monitor behavior, and ensure safety on every trip, sleepover, and honor badge event. But what if we told you that part of your calling is to teach risk management, not just practice it?That’s the heart behind Spy Danger.
This new Pathfinder Honor invites young people to step into the role of safety thinkers. Through creative exercises, illustrated scenarios, and real-life case studies, Pathfinders will:
- Learn how to identify potential risks in their environment.
- Understand basic steps to prevent harm.
- Practice decision-making through simulations.
In the same way a safety officer guards a church family, a Pathfinder who completes the Spy Danger Honor begins to guard their peer group.
Training Leaders, Training Kids
In the ARM webinar “Safety and the Pathfinder Counselor,” David Fournier breaks down the legal, ethical, and spiritual responsibility of Pathfinder leadership:When a parent drops off their child, the expectation is that the child will be returned in the same or better condition. That duty has legal, ethical, and moral implications.
It’s a weighty charge. But when leaders model risk management and train young people to think that way too, they multiply safety across the club.
The Spy Danger Honor is built on a four-step process:
- Identify potential dangers in common activities.
- Assess how likely they are to happen and how bad the result could be.
- Control or reduce the risk with specific actions.
- Monitor the situation and adjust if needed.
From Faith to Function: Bible Lessons in Risk
The Spy Danger workbook also draws from Scripture: - Noah prepared for the flood (Genesis 6-9). - Nehemiah posted guards during reconstruction (Nehemiah 4). - Paul warned of a shipwreck (Acts 27).Each story reinforces that preparation isn’t fear-based—it’s faith in action. God calls His people to be wise stewards. And that includes teaching our children what that wisdom looks like in practice.
Where to Begin
Download the full Spy Danger Leader’s Guide and Workbook at here. The tools are ready-made, simple to adapt, and flexible for clubs of any size.Use the scenarios, Bible tie-ins, and reflection questions to turn safety into something that sticks.
Because risk management isn’t just a checklist. It’s a mindset. It’s a ministry. And it starts with you.
Up Next: Read our Best Practices article, “Making Risk Awareness Stick in Your Pathfinder Club,” for 6 ways to teach Spy Danger creatively in your weekly meetings.
