Masks. Distancing. Individual camping tents.
Throughout the past 11 months of COVID-19, the Federation of North American Explorers (FNE), out of Mater Ecclesiae Mission in Berlin, have been making the best of difficult times. Indeed, that seems to be the core mission right now.
“Our mindset is, let’s do the best we can with what we have, without abandoning the program,” explained Paul Pagano, a leader of the FNE Explorers Boys’ group, ages 12-16, and business manager of the entire FNE program.
Part of a larger organization called the International Union of the Guides and Scouts of Europe – Federation of Scouts of Europe, FNE itself began in 1999, and the Catholic faith-based youth organization “teaches responsibility, promise, commitment, leadership, service and loyalty,” as its mission states.
“We explore nature, the outdoors, the community, service to others, leadership and the Catholic faith,” Pagano said.
The Mater Ecclesiae Chapter was founded 10 years ago, and it has boys and girls groups for Otters (ages 6-7), Timberwolves (8-12) and Explorers (12-16).
Pagano’s Explorers still meet for meetings at Mater Ecclesiae; participate in camping trips, many on the church grounds; and engage in outdoor activities as well as faith-based experiences, such as the Rosary, prayer vigils and time for confession.
It helps that Mater Ecclesiae’s rector, Father Robert Pasley, is the FNE religious advisor and actively involved with the youth.
“Faith is integral to this program,” Pagano said, adding that “the goal is to help form young Catholic men and women to live a holy life.”
In these days, it’s “good to help youth get out, especially since the majority of these youth are homeschooled,” Pagano stressed.
The Explorer leader has four of his own children involved in the program. “Having something outside of the home is a good outlet for them,” he said.
He said that the FNE had planned a trip to France this year that was scrapped due to COVID-19, but Pagano is hopeful that the trip will take place in the near future.
Another aspect of the program has been the service projects the FNE has undertaken to help the less fortunate, such as the visits to the Cathedral Kitchen in Camden.
“The Otters made 38 place mats, the Timberwolves 527 to-go bags, and the Explorers 40 blessing bags” for the Cathedral Kitchen in the past few months, said Shannon Widmer, Timberwolf leader for the girls.
Throughout all of the organization’s activities, health and safety has been paramount, as leaders know it’s crucial to be able to keep providing these experiences for youth.
“We’re doing everything we can to keep each other safe,” Widmer said.
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