Purpose of Penn Cove Pioneer Camp

Pioneer Camp Objective

The objective of the Pioneer Camp experience is to help participants make meaningful spiritual connections with Latter-day Saint pioneers, individual families, our ward family, and with Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father.

By reenacting elements of the westward journey of the early Saints, participants will gain a deeper understanding of faith, sacrifice, resilience, unity, and gratitude. Through shared physical and mental challenges—such as pulling handcarts and traveling rough terrain—families and youth will experience, in a small way, the trials faced by the pioneers, making Church history tangible, personal, and memorable.

This hands-on experience teaches core gospel principles including faith in God, service, obedience, unity, and enduring to the end through practical application. As participants push beyond perceived limits, they will build resilience and confidence, learning that they can rely on their faith and Heavenly Father to overcome difficulties in their own lives.

Pioneer Camp fosters unity within families and the ward as participants support and encourage one another on the trail. By experiencing shared hardship, children and adults alike will strengthen their testimonies, deepen family bonds, and gain a greater appreciation for the blessings they enjoy today because of the sacrifices of those who came before them.

Walk with Me

2026 Youth Theme:

“Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.” -Moses 6:34

We just spent 2025 studying the Doctrine & Covenants and directly learning about the sacrifices and miracles of the early Saints and Pioneers. They literally walked for Christ for thousands of miles and surely felt they had walked with Him as well.

Now in 2026, as we study the Old Testament, the Youth Theme is "Walk with Me" - as Christ beckons for us to Follow Him. In our small way, we can again take a literal approach and "Walk with Christ" as we demonstrate and increase our faith, sacrifice, charity, and trust in the face of adversity through a Pioneer Trek reenactment.

This is one small way that we can embrace this 2026 theme of "Walk with Me."

See additional Church resources on Trek

Resources for Pioneer Trek

Pioneer Trek Reenactment Guidelines for Leaders