Board declines international Camp Pathfinder travel after safety concerns; students and staff press alternatives

Students, parents and outdoor-club advisors pressed the Rochester Board of Education on April 29 to allow the district’s longstanding Camp Pathfinder trips to Canada, but the board declined to approve the travel-related resolutions after several members raised safety and legal concerns.

Speakers described Camp Pathfinder as an ‘‘irreplaceable’’ expeditionary-learning experience. ‘‘This trip fosters countless positive attributes, but most importantly it brings genuine happiness to students,’’ said Hazel Roberts, student representative to the Student Leadership Congress, wearing an Outdoor Club shirt during her remarks. Advisors and alumni who run the district’s Outdoor Clubs described multi‑decade ties to Pathfinder and financial supports that have kept costs low for families. ‘‘If there’s ever been a time to be brave on behalf of our young people, it’s now,’’ said Erica Mason, who identified herself as an RCSD graduate, Wilson Outdoor Club member and assistant director at Camp Pathfinder.

Board discussion framed the decision as a balance between student opportunity and border‑security risk. Vice President Malloy said she supported letting families decide, calling the trips ‘‘beneficial’’ and urging clear, accurate information for parents. ‘‘I actually support the trips. I think you assume risk with any trip internationally that you take,’’ Malloy said.

Other board members cited safety concerns and advice from legal counsel. Commissioner Patterson described a personal recent incident he said influenced his vote: ‘‘I was stopped by ICE, and I was taken in the back by ICE. That feeling that I had, it just shook me… I would never want one of our students, not even one, to go through that.’’ Patterson said he would not support any school leaving the country at this time. In public record, Commissioners Santiago and Malloy voiced support for the travel; Commissioners Patterson, LeBron and Board President Simmons opposed the specific travel resolutions.

Outcome: During a bundled vote on academic resolutions the board approved most items but the three travel-related resolutions did not carry. The meeting transcript identifies the failed items by board resolution numbers (listed on the meeting agenda) as 6-23, 6-24 and 6-25; the district did not read a roll-call tally aloud in the minutes for each resolution during the public session. The board directed administration to identify alternatives for affected students and to return with options.

Speakers gave concrete scope numbers: advisors said 109 students across Wilson, Padilla and World of Inquiry had earned spots for the trip. Students and alumni described Pathfinder as a years‑long, culminating experience for many seniors; several senior students asked that families be allowed to sign liability releases if they wished to proceed.

District response and next steps: Interim Superintendent Terrence Strickland said administrators would develop alternate experiences and asked district staff to work with school leadership to plan viable local or domestic alternatives. Chief Moscadri was identified in the meeting as the administrator charged with coordinating next steps and reporting back to the board.

Why it matters: Camp Pathfinder has been a regular expeditionary program for RCSD students for nearly two decades and advocates argue it advances equity by providing low‑cost international experiences. Board members who opposed the travel cited recent changes in immigration‑enforcement climate and advised caution; commissioners who supported the trips emphasized parental choice and longstanding safety procedures used by chaperones and partner organizations.

Documentation: The transcript records many first‑hand testimonials from students, parents and chaperones, advisors’ statements about scholarship funds and logistical experience, and board members’ discussion of legal counsel’s advice. The board did not approve the travel-related resolutions on April 29 and asked administration to report back with alternate plans.