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Surprise Stake

2014 PIONEER TREK

"I Can Do All Things Through CHRIST Which Strenghteneth Me"

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION 4

TREK THEME 4

TREK OBJECTIVES 4

TREK WEBSITE 5

REGISTRATION 5

CRITICAL TREK DATES 5

TREK LOCATION AND MAPS 6

TREK ORGANIZATION 9

ROLE OF MA AND PA 10

Your Trek Family 10

Vision of Trek 10

Your Duties 10

MA AND PA PREPARATION 12

Trail of Faith Program 12

Spiritual Preparation 12

Trail of Faith Monthly Themes 12

Physical Preparation 12

Trail of Faith Physical Preparation 13

Historical Preparation 13

TEACHING THE YOUTH 15

Learn, Act, Share 15

Processing Technique (Helping the youth share) 16

Guidelines for Processing Technique 16

Sit in a Circle 16

Setting the Stage 16

Getting Started 16

The Focus 16

Reinforcement 16

No Right Answers 17

Caution 17

Be Yourself in Developing your Own Processing Techniques 17

USE OF JOURNALS 17

MORNING OF TREK 18

Pioneer Company and Family Assembly 18

Family Introductions 18

The Orange Roll Activity 18

GAP FILLERS 20

Wink-um 20

Do You Love Your Neighbor? 20

States 20

Tangle 20

Mingle 20

Person to Person 20

Champion the Cause 20

Hand Cart Rules 21

Leave No Trace Camping 21

Fire-making 21

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT LIST 22

MA AND PA EQUIPMENT LIST 23

TREK SHELTER 24

MEDICAL INFORMATION 25

Water Use and Guidelines 25

Food 25

Trail Sickness 25

Signs and symptoms 25

Prevention and Treatment 25

Sanitation 25

Cold and Rain 25

Footwear 25

Major Illness or Injury 26

Procedure if Trekker is Injured 26

First Aid Kits 26

First Aid Treatment 26

Dehydration/Heat Exhaustion 26

Heat Stroke 27

Blisters 27

Splinters and Thorns 27

Minor Cuts and Abrasions 28

Nosebleeds 28

Bleeding 28

Sunburn and Other Burns 28

Chafing 28

Poison Ivy 28

Bug Bites and Stings 28

Sprains and Strains 28

HISTORY OF THE HANDCART PIONEERS 29

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Pioneer Trek! As a Ma and Pa, you perform one of the most critical roles in the adventure that our young people have as they experience Trek. You will guide your Trek family through the physical, spiritual, and emotional challenges and key learning experiences of the four-day trek journey. You will act as a great instrument in the hands of God to bring his chosen youth to greater light and knowledge. The ultimate goal of trek is to facilitate the conversion of each of your trek children to the gospel and help them come unto our Savior Jesus Christ. You are vital to the success of the Surprise Stake Pioneer Trek.

The selection of Ma's and Pa's was a very careful, deliberate, and inspiration-filled process. The trek executive committee selected couples that have the greatest capacity to contribute to the spiritual and emotional growth of the youth. This manual is intended to help you better understand your role as Ma and Pa and will cover some of the basic aspects of the Pioneer Trek. Please take time to carefully study what is contained in this manual.

We are confident that as you give your all to this calling and strive to serve the youth in our stake that Heavenly Father will bless you with a greater capacity to comprehend and appreciate the mission of our Savior, the power of the gospel to change lives, the sacrifice and legacy of our pioneer forbearers, and God’s all-encompassing love for His children.

TREK THEME

The theme for the 2014 Trek is, “I Can Do All Things Through CHRIST Which Strengtheneth Me”. This theme is taken from the New Testament in the book of Philippians (4:13). Everything you do as a Ma and Pa should be done with the trek theme and objectives (see below) in mind.

In the 1850s, many pioneers willingly gave up all they had and crossed the plains with nothing more than a handcart and a few possessions. They willingly sacrificed to reach the Salt Lake Valley-some giving the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. Incredibly, they knew that they were headed for tremendous hardship and that, for some, death might be the end of the journey. They went anyway.

What was the driving force behind such submission? It was their complete and perfect faith and trust in Heavenly Father. Their hearts were etched with a deep testimony of the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ to overcome any obstacle in life. They understood that by completely submitting to God's will, they would be strengthened, even if the price they were asked to pay was their life. Our pioneer ancestors accepted that they were always in the Lord's hands as they drank their bitter cup. They had developed a deep understanding of the infinite atonement of Christ and the enabling power of his grace.

TREK OBJECTIVES

1. A burning testimony of the true power of the Savior's Atonement to conquer life's greatest obstacles such as sin, sorrow, infirmity, and even death.

2. A clearer vision of their endless potential to accomplish challenging things and become their greatest selves through faith, obedience, hard work, and the Savior’s added strength.

3. A deeper understanding, appreciation, and reverence for the experience of their pioneer forbearers as they “walk in their shoes".

4. A profound feeling of gratitude and love for their families at home and a renewed commitment to do more to help ensure their eternal inheritance.

5. A ton of fun creating memorable experiences interacting with new friends and youth leaders!

TREK WEBSITE

A website for the Surprise Stake Trek can be found at http://surprisestaketrek.blogspot.com. It is filled information and resources for you such as: calendar of events, outline for the Trail of Faith Award, examples of and patterns for pioneer clothing, packing lists, forms, videos, contact information, and a special password-protected section for Ma's and Pa's. Please visit the website often for the most up-to-date information.

REGISTRATION

The fees for Trek do not apply to Ma's and Pa's, but you are required to fill out the registration forms. You may obtain these forms from the website and turn them in to Sister Karin Clark.

CRITICAL TREK DATES

The dates for the Surprise Stake Pioneer Trek are Wednesday, June 4- Saturday, June 7, 2014

Check-in for the youth will be at the stake center on Wednesday morning at 4:30 a.m.

Ma's and Pa's will drive up to the trek site on their own. Plan to arrive at the trek site by 7:45 a.m.

Date	Time	Location	Event
January 1			Print out Trail of Faith requirements for January
January 25	9-11 a.m.	Stake Center	Training for Ma's & Pa's
February 1			Print out Trail of Faith requirements for February
February 22	9-11 a.m.	Stake Center	Trek run and pioneer clothing workshop
March 1			Print out Trail of Faith requirements for March
March 22	10-12 a.m.	Stake Center	Hoe down practice
March 29	9-12 a.m.	Stake Center	Training for Ma's & Pa's
April 1			Print out Trail of Faith requirements for April
April 26	10-12 a.m.	Stake Center	Hoe down practice & make leather goods
May 1			Print out Trail of Faith requirements for May
May 17	5:00 p.m. session	Mesa Temple	Temple session, Ma's & Pa's, Stake Presidency, Company Captains, Trek Staff
June 4-7	7:45 a.m.	Forest Lakes	Trek!! Meet at staging area
June 22	7:00-8:30 p.m.	Stake Center	Post Trek Fireside

TREK LOCATION AND MAPS

We will be trekking on national forest land north of Forest Lakes, Arizona. The Trek site is north of Forest Lakes, AZ off of highway 260.

Forest Lakes is 151 miles from Surprise and is a about a 3 hour drive. Forest Lakes is approximately 25-35 minutes east of Payson.

Map 1 will guide you to Forrest Lakes.

If you are using a GPS system to get to the Trek site enter Forest Lakes, AZ

Once you are near Forest Lakes, use Map 2 to direct you to the staging area, which is 7.25 miles north of Forest Lakes off of Fire Road 99. There will be signs posted to guide you to the site.

Map 1

Map 2

TREK ORGANIZATION

Each family will be part of a company of approximately 4-6 families. Each family will be led by Ma and Pa and each company will be led by a Company Captain. The Company Captains will report directly to the Trail Bosses (our stake presidency). Each company will be named after one of the five companies that crossed the plains in 1856: Ellsworth, McArthur, Bunker, Willie, and Martin. Each handcart will have a banner with your family name on it. Stake Trek Leadership is organized as follows:

Trail Bosses
David Allen	Stake President
James Ellis	Stake 1st Counselor
Keith Bresee	Stake 2nd Counselor

Committee Chairman
Gary Luna	Stake YM 1st Counselor

Executive Committee
Marvin Stover	Stake YM President
Karin Clark	Stake YW President
Spencer Bailey	YM High Counselor
Rich Pond	YW High Counselor

Company Captains Marvin Stover Dan Smith Brandon Klippel Jared Weech Committee Leads
Activities	James & Aimee Mallory
Equipment	Scott Peterson
Family History	Lon Leavitt
Food	David & Kim Buell
MA/PA Training	Veronica Luna
Medical	Steven Horrocks
Music	Becky Allen
Photography/Video	Brian Snyder
Registrations	Karin Clark
Trail of Faith	Anne Smith
Website/Clothing Coordinator	Erin Eames
Youth	Korri White

ROLE OF MA AND PA

You were called because of who you are- your character and testimony as well as your talents and abilities. You will lead and help the youth of the stake on a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience to solidify their testimonies of Jesus Christ.

Your Trek Family

Each trek family will consist of Ma, Pa and 8-10 youth between the ages of 14 and 18. You will spend the entire four days with your family. Remember that each youth comes from a different background, has developed their testimony to a different degree, and has unique strengths and weaknesses. However, all will dress similarly, have the same possessions, and will probably smell the same!

Each family will be assigned a handcart in which to place the family's belongings and Trek supplies. The youth are charged with pulling the handcart, not Ma and Pa, although, there may be especially difficult times when you feel inspired to help the youth. Your family will cook your own meals together and you will have your own individual camping area at each campsite. Everyone in your family will cooperate in cooking, cleaning, setting up/taking down camp, gathering wood, and any other work in the family. Do not try to do the work yourself, instead delegate jobs to each person in your family. Your family will study the scriptures, pray, and have nightly devotionals together. Open your heart and love your youth and you will see unity and love grow in your trek family.

Vision of Trek

Pioneer Trek is designed to provide an individualized experience, in a family setting, and it does this by teaching general principles that each youth can apply to his or her life. Many of these principles are taught through symbolism and analogy.

Throughout the history of God’s dealings with man, we see evidence of the trials and afflictions given to members of the church so that their hearts would be softened. When their hearts were softened sufficiently, they became teachable. This is when real change can occur. We are not trying to “humble” participants; rather, we are trying to “awaken” them. We want to open their hearts, and this is accomplished, in part, through pulling the handcart.

Trek participants are given the opportunity to face and overcome difficult tasks. Part of the challenge comes as they are asked to work alongside people they don't really know; part of it comes later as they are faced with arduous challenges along the trail. They are given the chance to discover their own strengths and weaknesses, to recognize the strengths of others, and to see where they need to change in their own lives. As the youth in your trek family deal with the physical and emotional experiences of trek, they will need your spiritual and emotional strength to support them. There will be many teaching opportunities along the way that can have a life altering impact on your youth. With your strength and support, each of your youth will have an amazing trek experience.

Your Duties

Love: Your most important responsibility will be to "love" the youth. Each youth has unique needs and challenges. You will be in the position of being able to guide your youth during a memorable time in their life. They will not have their parents, friends, or familiar leaders to lean on. Your responsibility will be to give the love and support that they need. Your love will be your greatest resource. Pray to develop love for each member of your family.

Lead: You will lead the family throughout the Trek. You were chosen because you have the ability to lead the youth. You will take the lead in all family prayers, family scripture study, discussions, assignments, and activities.

Listen: You will find that some of the youth will need someone with whom to share their thoughts and feelings. Be observant and identify those youth and then truly listen. Look for opportunities to connect with each person. Use eye contact when listening to avoid distractions.

Have Fun: Trek will be fun! Your attitude will influence the atmosphere in your family. Help your family have fun. Look at the bright side of things when faced with a challenge. Show enthusiasm for all Trek activities. Smile, it's infectious!

Sing: Pioneers sang often to help them deal with boredom or hardship or to have fun. Each participant will be given a notebook with pioneer songs. Sing trail songs, campfire songs, happy songs, and hymns.

Gap-fillers: There are occasions on Trek when you will find extra time on your hands. These gaps often occur between meals and scheduled events, or when there is some unforeseen holdup in scheduled events. Don't be afraid, however, to give the youth time to contemplate the feelings they are experiencing.

Firmness: You will find that your family will love, respect, and appreciate when you are firm with them. Make sure your expectations are clear. Let them know that you must know where they are at all times. They must get your permission before they leave the family camp. Everyone must help with family chores and everyone must participate in Trek activities.

Allow Creativity: Allow the youth to show their creative skills. They may find new and better methods for accomplishing a task or they may learn and grow from trying different things. Don’t be tempted to take this opportunity for growth from them. Some examples of this are building the handcart, packing the handcart, overcoming challenges presented during trek, making meals, and other similar activities.

Resolving Problems: When challenges arise in your family, it will be your responsibility to use the Spirit to resolve problems in a positive way. React with love instead of anger. Say a prayer, sing a hymn, or use discussion with your family. Use conflict as an opportunity to teach rather than preach. Every challenge can be turned into a meaningful experience for the family. Allow them to share their feelings and express their point of view. Remember that love is the key.

Stay on Schedule: You will receive a Trek itinerary with approximate times for activities. Try to follow those times but be flexible and patient with others as well. Your primary focus should be the youth and your relationship, not the schedule. The recipe for trek is not an experiment. Please have confidence in the program. When it calls for a "teaspoon of salt", so to speak, don't dilute it, omit it, or cut it in half. Taken individually, an activity or challenge may seem like the "teaspoon of salt", however when combined with the other ingredients it is indispensible.

MA AND PA PREPARATION

Trail of Faith Program

Now is the time for you to prepare. Your spiritual, physical, and historical preparation will have a powerful effect upon the youth in your trek family. Remember to seek inspiration and focus on the trek objectives. Please visit the trek blog at http://surprisestaketrek.blogspot.com to find the Trail of Faith program, hundreds of pioneer stories, and other helpful resources. A great amount of time and effort was put into creating this program as key scriptures, hymns, talks, stories, and monthly themes were chosen through inspiration of the Holy Ghost. If you follow this program, read the stories, and pray for guidance, your faith and testimony of trek will flourish and you will be prepared to lead and inspire the youth in your trek family. The Trail of Faith has outlined goals by month to help leaders and youth prepare for Trek.

Spiritual Preparation

Pioneer Trek is like going on a mission. It requires spiritual preparation. That means additional effort by Ma’s and Pa’s to bring their lives in tune with the Spirit.

· Personal and family prayer each day.

· Pray to listen to the Spirit--then follow promptings

· Personal regular study of Book of Mormon and other scriptures

· Attend the temple regularly (including our Trek temple day)

2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel ^afirst appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had ^bsearched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and ^afasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with ^bpower and authority of God. –Alma 17:2-3

Trail of Faith Monthly Themes

January The Godhead

February The Atonement

March The Restoration

April Follow the Prophet

May Fire of the Covenant

June Brother’s Keeper

The details of the program will not be recreated in this manual but can be found in online and PDF printable format on the website http://surprisestaketrek.blogspot.com.

Physical Preparation

We will be doing a lot of walking over the four days of Trek and, therefore, we ask that you prepare yourselves physically. If you follow the Trail of Faith program, you will be physically ready for the challenge of Trek. Please visit our website for forms and suggested monthly activities. Make sure you have shoes that are well broken in to avoid blisters.

Trail of Faith Physical Preparation

Physical Preparation requirements are for youth and adult Trek participants. Pioneer Trek is physically strenuous. We will be walking over 20 miles in 3 ½ days. We will be pushing and pulling heavy handcarts. You may work on your core strength and endurance by doing push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, squats, wall sits, burpees, etc. Be sure you are using correct form and challenge yourself by increasing your performance each month. While these additional exercises are not required for Trail of Faith, better fitness will benefit you on the trail.

January Walk, run, or bike for 20 minutes at least three times each week.

February Walk, run, or bike for 30 minutes or two miles at least three times each week.

March Walk, run, or bike for 40 minutes or three miles at least three times each week.

April Walk, run, or bike for 40 minutes or three miles at least four times each week.

May Walk, run, or bike for 40-60 minutes or four to five miles at least four times each week.

June Walk, run, or bike for 40-60 minutes or four to five miles.

A one page PDF spreadsheet for the physical preparation requirement can be found at the website http://surprisestaketrek.blogspot.com.

Historical Preparation

We must not forget that we are trekking to honor those pioneers that went before us so that we may have the blessings that we enjoy today. Our trek website has hundreds of pioneer stories. Please take the time to read these stories as part of your personal daily study. If you study and internalize these stories, you will feel the spirit of these pioneers as you trek with the youth.

"It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for the present and perspective for the future. It is good to look upon the virtues of those who have gone before to gain strength for whatever lies ahead. It is good to reflect upon the work of those who labored so hard and gained so little in this world, but out of whose dreams and early plans so well nurtured has come a great harvest of which we are the beneficiaries. Their tremendous example can become a compelling motivation for each of us, for each of us is a pioneer in his own life, often in his own family, and many of us pioneer daily in seeking to do God’s will and lift and serve those around us." -Gordon B. Hinckley

Elder M. Russell Ballard also counseled:

“We cannot begin to understand the journeys made by those who laid the foundation of this dispensation until we understand their spiritual underpinnings. Once we make that connection, however, we will begin to see how their journeys parallel our own. There are lessons for us in every footstep they took–lessons of love, courage, commitment, devotion, endurance, and, most of all, faith. Handcarts were heavily laden with faith–faith in God, faith in the restoration of His Church through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and faith that God knew where they were going and that He would see them through. We all face rocky ridges, with the wind in our face and winter coming on too soon. Always there is a Devil’s Gate, which will swing open to lure us in. Occasionally we reach the top of one summit in life, as the pioneers

did, only to see more mountain peaks ahead, higher and more challenging than the one we have just traversed. And how will we feel then, as we stand shoulder to shoulder with the great pioneers of Church history? How will they feel about us? Will they see faith in our footsteps? I believe they will. We will learn, as did our pioneer ancestors, that it is only in faith–real faith, whole souled, tested and tried–that we will find safety and confidence as we walk our own perilous pathways through life. We are all bound together–19th and 20th century pioneers and more–in our great journey to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and to allow His atoning sacrifice to work its miracle in our lives. While we all can appreciate the footsteps of faith walked by Joseph Smith and his followers from Palmyra to Carthage Jail and across the Great Plains, we should ever stand in reverential awe as we contemplate the path trod by the Master. His faithful footsteps to Gethsemane and to Calvary rescued all of us and opened the way for us to return to our heavenly home. Joy will fill our hearts when we fully come to know the eternal significance of the greatest rescue–the rescue of the family of God by the Lord Jesus Christ. For it is

through Him that we have promise of eternal life. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the source of spiritual power that will give you and me the assurance that we have nothing to fear from the Journey.” -Elder M. Russell Ballard

TEACHING THE YOUTH

Learn, Act, Share

In recent years the church has changed the way it teaches the youth. Key programs such as Duty to God for young men, Personal Progress for young women, and Come, Follow Me have been developed to specifically emulate the Savior’s own way of teaching. As in all things His way is the best way. As the master teacher, His focus was not on the content that was being taught but on the student or learner. His goal was not just the exchange of information but an actual conversion of His listeners. His desire was not just to have them know but to have them become.

“The Apostle Paul taught that the Lord’s teachings and teachers were given that we may all attain “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13). This process requires far more than acquiring knowledge. It is not even enough for us to be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it. In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.”- Elder Dallin H. Oakes

If we are to be instruments in the Lord’s hands to facilitate the conversion of the youth on trek we need to understand the principles of learning and teaching for conversion.

“Learning for conversion is a continual process of knowing, doing, and becoming. Likewise, teaching for conversion requires key doctrine, invitations to action and promised blessings. When we teach true doctrine, we help the learner to know. When we invite others to action, we help them to do or live the doctrine. And when the blessings come that the Lord has promised, we are changed.”- Russell T. Osguthorpe

“We LEARN the doctrine, we ACT on the doctrine, and then we SHARE with others our experience. That’s how a generation can be moved.” -David L. Beck

The Come, Follow Me guide explains that teaching in the Savior’s way can be summarized in the follow steps:

1. He loved them

2. He knew who they were

3. He prepared Himself

4. He used the scriptures

5. He shared simple stories, parables, and real-life examples

6. He asked questions

7. He invited them to testify

8. He trusted them

9. He invited them to act in faith

10. He was their example and mentor

As we follow this model for teaching our youth, the true agent of conversion, the Holy Ghost, will be present and “he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.” (D&C 50:22)

Processing Technique (Helping the youth share)

As a Ma or Pa, you will have the opportunity to conduct a group activity called contemplation and reflection. It is an essential part of the Trek experience, and its success will, to a great extent, make the difference between a good and a bad experience for the participants. Usually, you will follow the same general guidelines for each session. Reflecting is a lot like a family council. It is the exchange of spiritual insights by the members of the group. It provides a vehicle to internalize the gospel as its principles are related to various Trek activities. A good reflection session does not happen automatically; it requires considerable preparation and reflection on your part. As you participate in the Trek, keep in mind the events and how they relate to gospel principles. This offers the youth a chance to ponder what is going on both spiritually and physically and how it affects everyday life. Remember that the youth should have their agency and not be forced into a situation where they feel they have to share their feelings. We want them to remember the spirit rather than feeling embarrassed or mad because they were forced to talk.

§ Involve all family members

§ Use personal Trek experience

§ Use gospel parallels and analogies

Guidelines for Processing Technique

Sit in a Circle

The family should sit in a circle. The buckets used for personal equipment can be used as chairs. No one should be on the outside or on the inside but should be facing in towards the center. Each person should sit close to the one next to him. This lends to a feeling of belonging and togetherness to the experience. Equally important, it permits each person to look into the eyes of the other participants.

Setting the Stage

After the circle is formed, ask them to think about the experience you want to discuss. Invite them to think of a parallel to life, their relationship with their Father in Heaven, their Savior, their own families, or any gospel principle.

Getting Started

One way to get the discussion going is to start at one point on the circle and have each participant respond in turn to the question: “If you could choose one word to describe how you felt last night, what would it be?” Some of them will be very negative, and some positive. Next you might ask certain individuals why they said what they did. You can continue this process, asking for details and changing the topic where necessary.

The Focus

Remember that this is a time for sharing and expressing feelings and ideas about the experience, life, and the gospel. Your responsibility is to initiate the sharing. You can do this by asking thought-provoking questions, or at times by sharing some of your own feelings. However, if you just open the time up for discussion you may have complete silence, so you need to structure the sharing a little.

Reinforcement

For many of the youth this will be a new experience. Try to encourage everyone to share, but don’t force anyone to do it and don’t force the parallels. The participants should come up with them. This is not a time to preach to the youth! It is their time to teach themselves. After you ask a question you should sit back and listen.

No Right Answers

You may need to ask additional questions to help the youth think about what has happened to them, or to help them to understand their feelings. However, you should never ask a question that looks for a specific answer. Don’t force your feelings on them. There is no pre-determined right answer, just their insights and feelings. It is often hard to implement new changes and thoughts in our lives, but it is all part of life and the process we must go through to become like Christ. On the last day of Trek, we encourage you to challenge the youth to take home what they have learned and to “really change” and become like Christ.

Caution

Please take note of the following issues that may arise.

Occasionally a participant will be very open, honest, and sincere about a member of the family who perhaps did not give 100 percent of himself/herself to pushing the handcart. If this type of situation arises, it is important to take control of the group and let them know that the purpose of processing is to express personal insights in feelings about oneself, (and others if those feelings are edifying) not to criticize, judge, or blame others. Don’t let the participants laugh at each other or talk while someone else is sharing. You should listen carefully to each participant. It is often hard to implement these new changes and thoughts in our lives.

Be Yourself in Developing your Own Processing Techniques

The way that you approach contemplation and reflection might be different than others. There is not necessarily a right way. It is important, however, for you to be comfortable as you approach this very important part of the Trek experience. The techniques or ways in which you conduct your processing of contemplation and reflection is left to your choice, experience, personality, and preparation. Follow the spirit and help your family search for insights as they learn from their actual Trek experience.

USE OF JOURNALS

Each participant in Pioneer Trek will be provided a journal wherein they can record those things they are feeling and learning. Elder Richard Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve has effectively taught a basic premise for recording spiritual experiences in journals: "I will seek to learn by what I hear, see, and feel. I will write down things I learn and I will do them". During the course of Trek there will be times provided wherein the participants can write in their journal. You should help to provide them a framework that will help them be most effective in this effort. For example, a journal entry might consist of at least one sentence with each of the following questions: What did I do? What did I learn? What did I feel? How will I apply what I have learned?

Elder Scott further expanded on the scripture in D&C 8:2. "I will tell you in your mind and in your heart by the Holy Ghost." He taught that: "An impression to the mind is very specific. Detailed words can be heard or felt and written as though instruction were being dictated". He then taught about communications to the mind and heart by saying, "Communication of the heart is a more general impression. The Lord often begins by giving impressions where there is recognition of their importance when they are obeyed one receives more capacity to receive more detailed instruction to the mind. An impression to the heart if followed is fortified by a more specific instruction to the mind." As our youth begin to understand these concepts they will become better at recording what is important in their journals. Journals help us remember what the Lord has taught us. This theme is repeated several times in the Book of Mormon. We need to remember both what we feel and what we see and hear. The raw history is also important to remember. Remember, it is important in your experience with our Trek participants not to over teach.

MORNING OF TREK

Pioneer Company and Family Assembly

Upon check in at the stake center, all youth will be assigned to a company. Each company will be assigned to a different bus so they can arrive at Trek as a company. The Company Captain will direct his company upon arriving at the Trek site. The Trailbosses will direct the formation of the family groups.

Family Introductions

Once your family is formed, proceed with the following steps:

Read your family list and confirm all are present. Make sure that you don’t have any extras.

2. Play the Name Game

§ Have the family sit in a tight circle with their knees touching. The success of this experience depends on the first impressions with this activity, so be enthusiastic and have fun from the start.

§ Everyone needs to think of a rhyme-name, which needs to be easy to remember and have positive connotations. Possible names are “Fancy Nancy” or Swell Mel.”

§ Announce that you will begin and give your new name.

§ The person next to you will then repeat your rhyme-name, and state his or her own. The person next to them will repeat yours, then the second person’s then their own, and so on. Encourage the group to help think of positive names. Each person should repeat all the names mentioned previously before revealing his own.

§ After you have gone around the group, ask if someone can name everyone. Make sure that you know everyone’s name because there is a good chance they will all want you to do it first.

§ Don’t put too much pressure on anyone. If they can’t think of a name for themselves or of someone else help them out.

§ Keep the group excited and involved.

§ Watch the participants carefully, this is a chance to get to know your group and see potential problems. It will also give you an idea of who your leaders will be.

After you play the name game, announce that the group needs to come up with a family cheer or yell. You can sing, chant, dance in unison, hoot—whatever they want to do. It’s ok to be a little crazy (but appropriate of course). Brainstorm, but do it quickly so that you don’t get behind schedule.
Count off. Assign each member a number. Starting with Pa as “1” and Ma as “2” and so on. This is very important! Especially when it is dark. At different times you will start the family count to make sure everyone is present before each pull or activity.
Talk to your family about how tough it is to pull a handcart over the long distance ahead and set the goal as a group to finish the pull successfully. Always end in some sort of group hug! Cinnamon roll, etc…
Complete the Orange Roll Activity.

The Orange Roll Activity

The first processing session is important. It is here that you will be establishing the patterns of the other processing sessions. Before you pass out the orange, assemble your entire group in a standing circle of about fifteen or twenty feet in diameter. The larger circle will make this activity more challenging. Give each person an orange and ask him or her not to eat it. Explain to them that you are going to give them 15 seconds to become as familiar with the physical characteristics of their orange as possible. After the 15 seconds, ask them to close their eyes and gently roll their orange to the center of the circle. After all of the oranges have come to a full stop, ask them to open their eyes and go find their orange. After each person has his or her orange, have the youth sit in a circle and process what they have just done.

1. Ask each person to think about the orange roll activity. Invite each person to think of a parallel to life, their relationship with their Father in Heaven, family or any gospel principle. This is the technique of reflecting.

2. Explain that it is your expectation that all family members participate and that to facilitate this they will be taking turns one after the other as they progress around the circle. If someone chooses not to participate on their turn, don’t make them feel bad, just move on. Let them know they can share later if they choose.

3. Indicate that while they are organizing their thoughts you will go first. Make it easier for the youth by saving the more visible and obvious parallels for them. One parallel, which you may use, goes something like this:

“I wonder how many of you did as I did while I was searching for my orange? While I was getting acquainted with my orange, I noticed it had a funny little wart (or what ever it may have been), and so it gave me something to look for. I was just thinking in life how many of us look for the negative things in the people we meet. How many of you identified your orange because of some beautiful characteristics, like its symmetry and beautiful shade of orange?”

4. Your spouse should anchor the session after everyone has had a chance to respond. If the following parallel has not been given it should be brought out.

“I was just thinking that if in fifteen seconds of getting acquainted we could each know our orange well enough to identify it out of (number of oranges) what could we do in one minute or five minutes? Could you have identified your orange out of say 100? Do you think if you had an hour to study your orange you could find it out of 1,000? How many minutes did we live with our Heavenly Father before we were rolled down to earth…? Fifteen seconds, one minute, five, one hour, a year, and a thousand years? Ten thousand years? Is there just a chance that even after just a few years of living day after day with our Father that he knows us as individuals separate and unique from all the other oranges on earth…. etc.”

5. The following are some techniques that will ensure that this is a positive experience for all:

§ After each youth gives their parallel, reinforce it by commending the youth with some positive reinforcement. This will give you a chance to make every person’s parallel seem great.

§ It is always a bit unsettling when you have a neat parallel and the person just before you gives it. If this happens to a person and he or she can’t think of one quickly, you might skip him or her and go to the next person indicating that you will come back to them.

§ If you encounter a youth who just can’t seem to come up with a parallel, be prepared to kind of “prime the pump” a little by suggesting a key word of a parallel.

§ After you have gone around the circle and everyone has responded, you could, open it up to anyone on a random basis to give an additional parallel.

§ Avoid levity while processing. The kids will quickly pick up on this and the session will become counter productive.

§ Finally, and perhaps the most important, seek the spirit to assist you. Inspired spontaneity, as you perceive the needs of your group, will be of great value. As the Lord stated:

“Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people: speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men. For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.”

D&C 100: 5-6

GAP FILLERS

Wink-um

Pairs of players form a circle with the girls sitting and the guys kneeling behind them (or vice versa). There is one empty spot where there is the person behind but no person in front. The person kneeling without anyone in front winks at one of the sitting people. The person sitting then tries to run to the empty spot while the person kneeling tries to detain her. If the person escapes, there is a new winker. If the person sitting does not escape--the same person winks again. The people kneeling behind must keep their hands down to their sides until the person sitting in front moves. The people behind cannot watch the winker, only the head of the person in front of them.

Do You Love Your Neighbor?

Players stand in a circle-formation with one person in the middle. The middle person is IT. IT asks one of the people in the circle, "Do you love your neighbor?" If the player answer "YES", the players on each side of him must switch places before "IT" can take their place. If the player answers "NO" he must then say whom he does love. He will say something like "'NO', but I love everyone wearing blue." Then, everyone wearing blue must switch places before IT can take their place. The person left without a place is the new IT.

States

Sit players in a circle and everyone chooses a state (or a fruit or a famous person, etc.). Go around the circle twice, having each person name their state so that the players can memorize them. IT stands in the middle with a hat or bandana and approaches a player who must name another state (belonging to another player) before IT hits them on the head with the hat or bandana. IT must hurry to the person whose state was named and try to hit him/her before s/he can name another state. Whoever is hit on the head before naming another's state is IT. If a player says his own state or a state not included in the game, he becomes IT.

Tangle

Stand in a tight circle. Have everyone put their right hands in the middle and instruct them to join their left hands with someone else's right hand. No one should join two hands with the same person. Now, without letting go, the group must become untangled.

Mingle

Have the group wander around in a close area while you yell "Mingle, Mingle!" At a good point, yell out a number under 10. The young people must then get in groups of that size. Anyone not in a group of that size is out and must wait till the game is over to participate again. Continue mingling and yelling out numbers until only two remain. These are the winners.

Person to Person

Everyone has a partner. Players mingle about the area until the leader calls a command. When a command is given, the players must find their partner and follow the command. For example, if the leader calls "Nose to hand", players must find their partner and touch their partner's nose with their hand. Any combination of body parts (within reason) may be called. The last pair to find his partner and follow the command is eliminated. Play is continued until only one pair remains.

Champion the Cause

In a circle, one person shares a peak experience that they have had--one that has meant a great deal to them for some reason or another. When he/she has completed sharing the experience, the other members of the group share their observations about that person's outstanding characteristics. This is continued until everyone has had a chance to be championed.

Hand Cart Rules

As you might expect, the handcart pull is one of the most important parts of the trek; it gives the youth the opportunity to experience physical hardship first-hand, thereby coming to more fully appreciate great faith and sacrifices made by the early pioneers. The handcarts are primitive and heavy and can be dangerous unless rules are followed.

Tip- Load the handcart with the heaviest items toward the front of the cart because the people pushing on the back tend to push down, thereby pulling the front of the cart up.

§ Everyone needs to be a handcart puller or pusher and support the family.

§ Ma and Pa should not push or pull the Hand Cart.

§ The handcarts are heavy when loaded. Advise your family to avoid the wheels as they walk.

§ They should never run with the handcart, as this creates even greater risk.

§ When stopped for breaks, place rocks behind the wheels so that the cart doesn’t roll down hill.

§ The trail boss will determine when to stop for breaks. All the handcarts will stop at the same time so the handcart train stays together.

§ Keep the tarp and gear away from the wheels by poking it inside the sideboards or by tying the canvas down tightly.

§ No one is allowed to ride in the cart at any time. If someone is ill, contact medical personnel.

§ Do not use your hands to turn the handcart wheels.

Leave No Trace Camping

§ Garbage bags are provided for the removal of trash. Before camp can be vacated, it must be inspected for trash, fires, etc. Do not burn any plastic products.

§ Portable toilets are provided for staff and participants. If there is no possible way to use the toilets then appropriate care must be taken to properly bury any waste. No waste or paper is to be left exposed—everything must be buried.

§ No trees are to be cut down under any circumstances. Use dead wood found on the ground for fires. Do not cut any branches off the trees.

Fire-making

The importance of safe fire-building techniques cannot be overemphasized.Please pay careful attention to the following rules and regulations regarding fire-building:

§ Build the fire away from dry grass and leaves, the base of any tree, nearby bushes, overhanging branches, a fallen tree, stump whose roots go into the groun or steep slopes. It is better to build in an open space. You should also scrape away any litter, duff or other burnable material within a 10’ wide radius.

§ Keep water handy. Quick action will prevent fire from spreading to surrounding areas.

§ Keep the campfire small. Use small wood for cooking, as it produces coals more quickly. Never leave the campfire unattended, as it may spread with a sudden breeze.

§ Though it may help with cooking, putting rocks around a campfire does not keep a fire from spreading. If you do use rocks, remove them from the fire ring and scatter them so that the beauty of the landscape will not be spoiled.

Also, remember the following rules when you put a fire out:

§ The fire is not out until you are sure the last spark had been extinguished. Sprinkle—do not pour—water on the embers. Turn logs and sticks and drench both sides.

§ Stir the ashes with a stick until everything is wet, extinguished and cooled. Feel the sticks and coals to make sure they are cold, even those that are deep down. Make sure no roots are burning

§ When everything is cold and wet, cover the spot with dirt and bury the wet ashes. Try and make the spot look as natural as possible.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT LIST

The following items are required of each person participating in trek

☐ 5-Gallon Bucket with lid: LABELED with name and ward, ALL gear must fit in bucket (except sleeping bag), bucket will be used as a STOOL and it also waterproofs your gear.

☐ Flashlight w/batteries

☐ Warm sleeping bag in a heavy-duty trash bag

☐ Heavy-duty trash bag for dirty or wet clothes

☐ Mess kit (plate, bowl, spoon, and fork) labeled with your name

☐ Mesh bag to hold mess kit

☐ Tin cup with handle or water bottle that can be carried on you hands free

☐ 2 Carabiners (1 to attach tin cup to belt loop or apron and 1for mesh bag)

☐ Personal hygiene Items

Small hand towel/or pre-moistened wipes for face & hands
travel size shampoo, conditioner, and soap
toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss
deodorant, lotion, and chapstick
comb or brush
hand sanitizer and tissues
contact lens solution and case (if you wear contact lenses)
feminine hygiene products (young women)

☐ Prescription medications: labeled in original pack (to be checked in with medical staff).

☐ Insect repellent

☐ Sunblock

☐ Sunglasses

☐ Personal first aid kit (Band-Aids & Mole Skin for foot care)

☐ Pillowcase (use to make a pillow out of your jacket)

☐ Old set of scriptures in a Ziploc bag

☐ Sturdy work gloves for pulling the handcart (these are a MUST)

☐ Clothing

2 pairs of tennis shoes or hiking boots (MUST BE broken in)

4 pairs of sturdy socks + 1 thick pair to sleep in
4 undergarments
rain poncho
warm jacket
warm pajamas

YOUNG WOMEN

1-2 bonnets
2 mid-calf length skirts and 2 blouses or 2 dresses
1-2 Aprons
2 pairs of bloomers (can be made of old pajamas or scrubs)

YOUNG MEN

· 2 pairs of light-colored cotton pants (NO camouflage, athletic pants or jeans)

· 2 long-sleeved, button up, light colored shirts, preferably cotton (NO t-shirts)

· western-style hat (no baseball caps, beanies or army hats)

· suspenders or vest (optional)

☐ NO JEWELRY OR ELECTRONICS OF ANY KIND

MA AND PA EQUIPMENT LIST

This list constitutes equipment maintained by the Mas and Pas for use by their family during trek.

· (2) 14”or larger Dutch ovens with lids

· (2) Wooden spoons for cooking and serving from the Dutch ovens

· Dutch oven lid lifter (Channel Locks work just as well and serves as a tool item also)

· Stockpot w/lid for heating water to wash dishes – enamel preferred

· Hot Pad-Pot Holder

· Matches --- Flint and steel (alternate fire starters)

· 2 bowls (1 for dishes, 1 for mixing and serving)

· Cooking utensils (can opener, ladle, knife, spatula, cutting board)

· Salt, pepper, and spices you prefer

· Dish Soap, scrubber, and Towels to wash and dry

· (2) 5-gallon coolers for drinking water

· Large 15X15 or 20X20 Tarps for Shelter assembly

· Support Poles to be used for Shelter assembly (Dimensions will be covered in Ma & Pa Training)

· (20) Stakes for securing shelter

· Rope to secure Shelter assembly (Will be covered in Ma and Pa Outdoor Hands-On Training)

· Leatherman or equivalent Multi-tool

· Small Shovel, hammer, sturdy work gloves (bring extra for kids who forget theirs)

· 2 Lanterns with fuel/ batteries

· Flashlight w/extra batteries (use only at campsite, not on trek route)

· Wet wipes and hand sanitizer

· 4 rolls toilet paper

· Feminine hygiene products for the girls' bag.

· Matching bandanas for each member of your family

· Spray bottle

· Trash bags to hang on the handcarts to pick up trash along the way.

· Consecrated oil

· Bag for “forbidden” items

· 5 extra carabiners for those who forgot theirs

· First Aid Kit

Band-aids Soap

Sterile gauze pads Needles

Moleskin – small scissors to cut the moleskin Tweezers

Sunscreen Tape

Vaseline Safety pins

Foot powder Latex gloves

Small scissors Tylenol

Hydrogen peroxide Hydrocortisone cream

Antibiotic ointment (Polysporin or Neosporin) Chapstick

TREK SHELTER

Equipment Needed:

· 2- 20' x 15' tarps

· 2 - support poles (2 per tent)

these can vary in height, usually

between 4-7 ft

· enough rope to secure two lines to each support

pole

≈45° to the long axis of the tent

· enough stakes to fully secure sides of shelter and

rope lines

· remember to fasten a nail to the top of the pole for securing the rope to it

MEDICAL INFORMATION

The trek medical team has organized the following information to help the Ma’s and Pa’s recognize and treat health problems in their trek family. Prevention is KEY. If prevention isn’t taken then alerting the Medical Staff is KEY. The Ma’s and Pa’s will be our first line of defense against medical problems. If there is a problem you don’t feel comfortable handling, don’t hesitate to consult the Trek doctors or nurses. The following outline gives an idea of the most common anticipated problems.

Water Use and Guidelines

Only drink water that is provided for you from the water trailer or at the campsites. Never drink rainwater, stream water, lake water, pond water, or water from puddles or creeks. Serious sickness can occur from drinking impure water. Giardia is a common parasite in impure water; it can cause flu-like symptoms and cramps.

Food

Each of the Trek participants will be asked to bring a good sack breakfast the day we depart for Trek. We will have a lunch at the staging area before heading out on the trail. Other meals will be organized throughout the course of the Trek. Nutritious meals will be provided throughout. This will not be a survival Trek.

Trail Sickness

This is a term used by some to refer to a general illness that is common on strenuous hikes. It is due in large part to sodium (salt) becoming too low in the body as you sweat and replace the fluid lost with water. Other factors that probably contribute are heat or cold, physical exertion, lack of food, fear, unfamiliar surroundings, poor sleep, and homesickness etc.

Signs and symptoms

Thirst, impaired taste, shortness of breath with exertion, fatigue, dulled thinking, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, abnormal walking, slowed speech, combativeness, apathy, withdrawal, fear, hyperventilation, dizziness, seizures.

Prevention and Treatment

On a long strenuous hike, usually you replace sodium by eating frequently along with drinking water. Please encourage your family members to drink whenever the chance arises.

Sanitation

Encourage family members to wash hands with soap and water or use the hand sanitizer after using the latrine and before meals. Also have them wash plates and utensils with soap, instead of just rinsing.

Cold and Rain

Be sure that each family member brings their required warm coat, rain poncho, and plastic bags to keep their clothes and sleeping bag dry. If they get wet and stay wet, they will be cold, miserable, and at risk of hypothermia.

Footwear

Make sure shoes are well broken in. Do not wear new shoes. Wear good socks made for hiking that will wick moisture away from the feet. If you start to get a “warm spot”, stop and treat it (moleskin, etc.) before it becomes a blister. Please re-emphasize this to your family members before they start hiking and throughout the hike. Blisters are one of our most common problems. If you now have a foot problem, such as an ingrown toenail, treat it before the trek.

Major Illness or Injury

You may encounter a large variety of medical situations on Trek. Most of these will be minor injuries that you can easily and effectively treat. However, there is always the possibility of a serious accident or illness. If someone faints, complains of chest pain, difficulty breathing, falls or experiences some form of traumatic injury, has a deep cut, or reports severe pain, contact the medical team as soon as possible. Also contact them if you have any doubt at all concerning the seriousness of the problem.

Procedure if Trekker is Injured

§ Stop trekking

§ Ma or Pa will contact their Company Captain who will radio the medical support staff. Company Captain will also inform the Trail Boss of the situation.

§ Ma and Pa will temporarily treat the injured trekker and the rest of their family until the medical staff

arrives.

§ Medical support will evaluate the condition of the sick trekker and give treatment.

§ Medical staff will communicate with the Trail Boss, Company Captain, and Ma and Pa of the trekker’s

condition.

§ If the situation involves evacuation, the medical staff will contact the proper medical facilities and inform the participant’s parents, bishop, and the appropriate stake leaders.

First Aid Kits

Please be sure to have a basic first aid kit as part of your family equipment. Please see the Ma and Pa Equipment list for a complete list of items to include in your basic first aid kit. If you need advice or additional supplies, such as moleskin for blisters, check with a Medical Specialist.

First Aid Treatment

Dehydration/Heat Exhaustion

This is one of the most frequently encountered medical issues along the trail. Each handcart will carry 10 gallons of water and will have the opportunity to refill as necessary.

§ Did you know that if you’re thirsty, you’re already partially dehydrated?

§ Drink to prevent thirst, not to quench it!

§ We will stop at least every 20-25 minutes for water breaks. Encourage the youth to drink water at every break even they don’t feel thirsty. This is particularly important for the young women as they don’t seem to want to drink enough water.

§ You will be provided with powered Gatorade or an equivalent powder to scoop into the tin cups once or twice during the day.

§ Remember to drink even when you are not pulling handcarts.

§ Dehydration and heat exhaustion often go hand in hand, so make sure water goes in, but also keep the outside cooled down with wet bandanas around the neck and/or by using a spray bottle.

§ Spray bottles help keep the youth cooled off.

§ Symptoms

· dry sticky mouth

· thirst

· pale face

· cold and clammy skin

· decreased urination

· headache

· dizziness or lightheadedness

· nausea and vomiting

· heavy sweating

§ Treatment

· Place the person on their back and raise their feet

· Provide shade for the person

· Loosen clothing or remove some of the patient’s clothes, shoes and socks

· Give patient water. If you have Gatorade or equivalent powder, dilute it with water (half and half). Encourage patient to drink all possible.

· Fan and put cool, wet cloths to back of neck, face, armpits lower legs

Heat Stroke

Heat exhaustion can quickly progress to heat stroke without adequate medical care and supervision.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency

§ Symptoms

· Red, very hot face. Skin is often dry but if a person has been exercising hard, they may be sweating.

· Very small pupils

· Slow, noisy breathing

· Rapid, strong pulse

· Possible unconsciousness

§ Treatment

· Place person on his or her back with head and shoulders raised

· Get them into a cool medical vehicle.

· Undress the person down to the underwear

· Cover the person---especially the head with dripping wet towels, shirts, or cloths.

Blisters

Blisters can ruin the Trek experience for some people. It is important that individual Trek participants take preventive measures to make sure that their feet are adequately protected by wearing two pair of socks—a thin pair underneath and a more substantial pair on the outside. It is a good idea to have a periodic foot inspection to identify blisters. If a blister is identified, make sure to treat it right away before it gets worse.

§ If you feel a hot spot forming on your foot, stop right away and treat it before it becomes a blister.

§ Do not break the blister

§ Protect the blister with a doughnut-shaped moleskin pad. Leave the area over the blister open

§ If a blister has broken, do not remove the flap of skin. Leave the flap and gently smooth it over the tender skin underneath.

§ Apply antibiotic ointment

§ Wash it with soap and water

Splinters and Thorns

Remove splinters and thorns with a clean needle and/or tweezers. Clean the area before and after. Apply antibiotic ointment and an adhesive bandage (band-aid). Do not use the same needle for another person.

Minor Cuts and Abrasions

The most important thing to do is clean the wound. Soap and water is great. Then you can use some peroxide and antibiotic ointment and band-aids. For deeper cuts, apply pressure to control the bleeding and contact the Trek doctor or nurse.

Nosebleeds

Have the person sit up, lean forward, and firmly pinch their nostrils for ten minutes continuously. After ten minutes checking to see it the bleeding has stopped. Balmex or A&D ointment will help prevent severe or stubborn nose bleeding

Bleeding

· Elevate injured limb above body level

· Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or gauze until the bleeding stops.

· If the cloth becomes soaked, DO NOT REMOVE IT. Put another pad on top of the first one, and get medical help.

Sunburn and Other Burns

The most important thing is prevention. Cover the skin with long sleeves, hats or bonnets. Use sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 on sun exposed areas. If someone does get a sunburn, cool compresses help followed by a burn cream or hydrocortisone cream. Encourage family members to frequently apply lip balm with sunscreen. For other burns, use cool compresses and burn cream.

Chafing

A common problem in hikers or campers is chafing, especially where there is no opportunity to bathe. Have some type of lubricant available, such as Vaseline or A&D Ointment to treat this.

Poison Ivy

If someone comes in contact with poison ivy, wash the skin with soap and water as soon as possible and you can probably prevent a reaction.

Bug Bites and Stings

If the stinger is still in the skin, remove it by scraping it with the edge of a pocketknife. Clean the area and apply cold, then later hydrocortisone cream.

Sprains and Strains

If someone in your family suffers a sprain or strain, contact the medical staff. Apply cold to reduce swelling and pain and elevate the injured body part. Use compression (Ace wrap), then 72 hours later, apply heat to increase metabolism. Rest the injured body part.

HISTORY OF THE HANDCART PIONEERS

After the martyrdom of the prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum in 1844 persecution towards the Saints in Nauvoo reached a fever pitch. By 1846 the great exodus from Nauvoo towards the West had begun for Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In July of 1847, the advance vanguard company led by the new prophet, Brigham Young, reached the Great Basin and what was then known as the Salt Lake Valley. These first Saints lost no time creating irrigation systems, laying out farms, building houses, churches and schools, and preparing to build a temple to their God. They had finally found their Zion.

In 1850 as missionary efforts were moving forward in Europe and other places in the world, the church established the Perpetual Emigration Fund (PEF) to help foreign saints gather to Zion. Under the program, emigrants were loaned funds contributed by American saints, which they would repay through work once they settled in Utah.

In 1855 however, droughts, swarms of cricket, and a rough winter caused crops to fail in the Salt Lake valley. Tithing and Perpetual Emigration Fund donations were reduced to a mere trickle but Brigam Young maintained that a lack of funds should not, and could not limit the passage of saints to Zion.

The continuation of the program, coupled with the prevailing economic situation, created a demand for a cheaper mode of transportation. That same year, the Church leaders officially introduced the handcart plan and stated the following in their “Thirteenth General Epistle”

"Let all things be done in order, and let all the saints who can, gather up for Zion and come while the way is open before them. Let the poor also come, let them come on foot, with handcarts or wheelbarrows, let them gird up their loins and walk through, and nothing shall hinder or stay them."

Brigham Young estimated that the saints could cover 15 miles a day initially, and would likely increase their mileage to 20, 25, even 30 miles per day as they grew accustomed to it. According to this estimate, the trek could be completed in under 70 days.

Soon after, Franklin D. Richards, President of the European Mission, and Editor of the Millennial Star wrote the following in an editorial to the saints:

“… The system of ox-trains is too slow and expensive, and must give way to the telegraph line of handcarts and wheelbarrows. It would be much more economical both in time, labor, and expense. On the arrival of a company of saints on the frontier, they could have the necessary handcarts ready and load them and be 200 or 300 miles on their Journey, with the same time and labor that would otherwise be expended in getting started.”

Amidst the promise of blessings, President Richards was also careful to warn the saints of the difficulties they'd be undertaking stating:

"It is our constant desire not to mislead the saints concerning the difficulties of the journey to Utah. We wish them calmly to make up their minds that it is not an easy task, and to start with faith, trusting in Israel's God of success, and seek of him constantly, by prayer and supplication...“

The plan was implemented in 1856. Though great acts of devotion, trust, and faith the Saints answered the call of their prophet to “Come to Zion”. Many sold all their earthly possessions in order to have enough money to make the journey leaving family, friends and homeland behind. Many of the Saints had little or no practical experience with prairie life and some did not even speak English. Saints spent around 38 to 65 days at sea and then traveled by train to Iowa City where they received their handcarts.

The handcarts used by the different companies varied in size and construction but the general pattern was uniform. The open handcart, shaft, and sidepieces were made of hickory or oak and the axles were generally made of hickory. The sidepieces and shafts were about six or seven feet long, with three to four binding crossbars spaced intermittently from the front to the back. At the front there was a three to four foot singletree or front bar yoke. The cart bed was about nine inches deep and four feet wide. The wheels, often constructed without metal, were four feet in diameter. Approximately five people were assigned to each cart and each person was allowed to bring 17 lbs. of luggage (this included clothing, bedding, and utensils).

The first two companies left Iowa City two days apart, but arrived in Salt Lake City simultaneously. Combined they had 100 handcarts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen, 4 mules, and 25 tents. They averaging about 21 miles daily, but managed 32 miles in a single day on two separate occasions. The saints arose to a 5:00 a.m. whistle and began pulling after prayer and breakfast. At night, the handcarts circled. Smoke from fires built outside the cart circle provided a mosquito deterrent.

Five handcart companies crossed the plains in 1856. The first three experienced few deaths and though difficult, were considered successful. The last two, the Willie and Martin Companies, experienced significant delays and departed from Florence in August. They experienced tragic suffering, sickness, and loss of life when their late start, combined with an early winter, caught them unprepared in icy mountain passes.

In 1857, two more companies successfully traversed the plains. Threats from Johnston's Army temporarily halted the treks in 1858, but 1859 saw yet another handcart train cross the wilderness.

In 1860, the last two companies crossed the plains. Incredibly, the last train did not report a single death.

By 1860, Salt Lake Valley had blossomed and it became economically feasible to send teams from Salt Lake, across the plains and back in a single season. They were called the 'Down and Back' Companies. This gave employment to Utah saints and saved the enormous amount previously invested in the purchase of wagons and oxen. This system was used to gather the saints until the coming of the railroad in 1869.

From 1856 to 1860, nearly 3,000 emigrants traveled to Zion by handcart. They employed 653 carts and 50 wagons. The eight trains that left Missouri in June or July came through without undue casualties.

Without a doubt, handcart travel was an exacting ordeal, for both the body and the spirit. Concern for material welfare alone could never have produced the handcart migrations. It took consecrated resolution strengthened by the sustaining conviction of a deeply religious faith.

Ma's & Pa's

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

We will be trekking on national forest land north of Forest Lakes, Arizona. The Trek site is north of Forest Lakes, AZ off of highway 260.

Getting Started

The Orange Roll Activity

Footwear

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