Logistics Information for Parents

Why do we want to do Trek? - from Survey Responses

It's an experience that will teach valuable life lessons and grow faith in the lord for adults and youth.

Good for children to experience. Build our testimonies and understanding of what our ancestors did. Build stronger relationships with our ward family. Opportunity to feel the Spirit and rely on the Lord and opportunity to build trust and unity within family

How to prepare leading up to Trek:

• Talk to family about the role of Pioneer heritage in your family and/or importance to church history. Share your thoughts on why you want to participate and what you hope they learn

• Study the lives of a few pioneers as a family. Learn and share stories and pictures. Prepare a story that your family can tell during one of the group devotionals.

• Go on family hikes and walks to get used to walking 10+ miles in a day.

Clothing

• Start gathering clothing items for the family. Maren will contact those families who indicated they wanted help with making/finding/acquiring clothing items. Other volunteers may help make or provide some items.

Sign medical release/permission forms

Standard for all youth-type church activities and camps

Schedule Review

Thursday and Friday are “Pioneer Days” intended for Pioneer Immersion for clothing, technology, etc.

Variable Trek experience

Let us know what distance you are interested in. The Survey had “full” or “limited” but did not have distances.

0-3 miles: Trail A. Walk around within Ensign Ranch when first starting off, then return to Base Camp.

5 miles: Trail A + B. Above, plus river crossing to North Meadow & women’s pull, then return

7-14 miles: Trail A + B + C. Above, plus powerline trail (variable length). Full Trek experience

Logistics

• Strive to make this a spiritual experience as much as physical. We will sing and pray often as a group, as families, while walking, etc. Time will be given for family devotionals and group firesides. This is about the journey, not the destination.

• Thursday and Friday are “Pioneer Days” intended for Pioneer Immersion for clothing, technology, etc. We will not do shake-down inspections or confiscate phones, but ask everyone to be respectful of those trying to be fully immersed.

• Porta potties are available at base camp and while on trail (on truck trailer)

• Wed/Fri nights will be sleeping in tents/sleeping bags at base camp. Thursday night is intended to be sleeping “on trail” with blankets/tarps “under the stars”.

• There will likely be a fire ban; prepare to have propane stoves, no charcoal or wood fires.

• River Crossing will be wet, up to 2-3 feet deep. Recommended to bring 2nd set of shoes to change into.

• The Pioneer Trek from Nauvoo to Salt Lake was dangerous and difficult and we will strive to experience some of that. Calamities may befall the company at any time…