Trek Handbook

2022
 “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.”
—President Gordon B. Hinckley

Goals for our Trek

○ Provide our youth with an unforgettable spiritual experience to bring them closer to the Savior
○ Prepare the youth to meet life’s challenges with faith, not fear
○ Help the youth gain a testimony of faith, obedience, and sacrifice through their challenges
○ Help the youth gain an appreciation of the pioneer legacy of faith and sacrifice
○ Have fun

Purpose of Youth Conference (Trek):

“The purposes of Youth Conference are to help youth build faith in Jesus Christ, strengthen their testimonies,
develop talents, make new friends, and have fun with youth who share similar beliefs and standards.” Church
Handbook 2 pg 105. The Trek has been designed to accomplish these objectives.

Theme: Trust in the Lord and He Shall Direct Thy Paths

The theme this year comes from the youth theme for 2022. Proverbs 3:5-6
a b c
5 ¶ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
d
understanding.
a b c
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

As our youth successfully meet the physical and spiritual challenges of the trek, they will gain strength to meet
the challenges of living the gospel in our time. Our job as adult leaders is to help them develop the faith to
place their trust in the Lord.

Your Roles as Mas and Pas

The Trek is going to be a spiritual and physical challenge for many of our youth, but as they get a taste of the
challenges our ancestors experienced, our prayer is that we all will gain a great testimony of faith, obedience,
and sacrifice through these challenges. You were selected as a Ma and Pa through prayer and inspiration and
you have a special role that can have a great impact on the spiritual growth of your youth family. Let us all
seek to inspire and lead with love, charity, patience, and kindness to allow our youth to experience the true
meaning of the Trek experience.

Family Unit
You will be responsible for approximately ten to twelve youth, ages ranging from 13 to 18. We will try to
arrange the families to include an equal number of young men and young women, a wide array of ages, and

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youth from different wards. You may not know them and they may not know each other, so it will be up to you
to bring them together as a family. You will work as a family and do the same things you would do in your
regular family. You will work, eat, sleep, play, pray, study scriptures, sweat, and cry as a family. Please
understand that your role is to lead and guide the youth to accomplish tasks on their own and as a family. It is
NOT your role to do everything for them.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters:

Each family will have one young man and/or one young woman selected by the Stake (in consultation with
Bishops) to be the family’s “Big Brother” and “Big Sister.” This is an opportunity for these youth to develop
leadership skills. As much as possible we want the youth to take the lead and be the voice and
representatives of each family. You will be successful in your assignment if you allow this to happen and to be
a mentor to these youth.

Learn together, Invite Action, Share:

We will be using the teaching patterns from “Come Follow Me” throughout the Trek. The youth will have many
opportunities to “Learn” about stories from our pioneer heritage through a variety of forums including
re-enactments and family devotionals.

Then the youth will have the opportunity to “Invite Action” or experience many of these stories and lessons
during the Trek. These experiences will vary from having fun and adventure to being difficult and challenging.
The majority of the time during the Trek will be devoted to this phase.

Family Devotionals / Study Time:

You will have fifteen minute devotionals/study times with your family. They will occur before breakfast and also
before bed. You will lead the morning devotionals. Big brothers and sisters will lead the evening discussions.
We will be providing everyone with journals/notebooks with inserts for devotional topics. For the devotionals,
we will provide you with a list of scriptures and quotes from prophets and pioneers. In addition, Mas and Pas
will also get a copy of all the pioneer stories assigned to the youth. The devotionals should follow these
patterns:

Big Brother/Big Sister Devotionals Ma and Pa Devotionals

1. Identify a gospel truth. 1. Have youth read the scripture/passage. You

2. Share a short experience explaining how you
have seen this principle in your life, modeling
for the youth the type of experience that they
might share.
3. Ask the youth to share similar experiences
that the Spirit brings to their minds. Allow
quiet reflection and the Spirit time to work.
Do not allow your fear of silence to interrupt
the Spirit. Your jumping in often gets kids off
the hook.
might want to repeat a key phrase that
particularly interests you.
2. Identify a gospel truth.
3. Share a short experience explaining how you
have seen this principle in your life, modeling
for the youth the type of experience that they
might share.
4. Ask the youth to share similar experiences
that the Spirit brings to their minds. Allow
quiet reflection and the Spirit time to work.
Do not allow your fear of silence to interrupt
the Spirit. Your jumping in can allow kids off
the hook.

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 A word of caution: You may feel impressed to share some of your own thoughts and feelings. However, the
youth have expressed a concern that Mas and Pas will monopolize the conversation. Outside of modeling
appropriate sharing for the youth when leading a discussion, try to share these experiences later, walking
with the youth on the trail. When the youth leaders lead the devotional, your role is to support the youth,
modeling attentive behaviors and gently directing the focus of distracted teens. If you have a great thought to
share during a youth-led devotional, please allow youth to share first. If appropriate, consider sharing while
walking with the youth on the trail.

Beyond the more structured family devotionals, there will be opportunities to help the youth process their
experiences. What follows is a list of optional suggestions for the youth. Use these ideas in whatever way the
spirit directs:

1. Have the youth share with the group their feelings, lessons learned, or applications to their own lives.
2. Have the youth record their feelings in their journal. Each youth will have a journal with them at all
times.
3. Have the youth record three specific things they learned from the activity in their journal.
4. Have the youth record in their journals how they can apply the things they have learned in their own
lives.
5. Have the youth share their testimonies.

Trek Organization:
Your family will be named after your own personal name (Gray Family, Wilcox Family, etc.). Four or five
families will be grouped into a Company. One of the Pas will be appointed as the Company Captain. The
Company will be named after the Captain’s full name (ie. The Dryw Waite Company, etc.). Company captains
receive direction from and report to the Trail Bosses, who lead the Trek.

Meeting Your Family:

We will announce the families when we arrive at the trek location.

Transportation:
We may count on you to help provide transportation for youth to the trek site. While there, we will have a
member of the equipment team move your van/car to Riley’s Farm for you.

Trek Rules & Guidelines for Success:

Dress Code--The dress code is not to be compromised. When everyone is dressed like a pioneer, a unique
setting and environment is created. All external barriers—images, cliques, and egos fade away. Use all skills
necessary to enforce the proper dress code. NOTE: Check Personal Equipment List for proper dress attire. No
shorts, cutoffs, or sleeveless shirts; this applies to all Trek participants.

Acceptable Behavior--Romances are not tolerated. If you are suspicious of a romance, contact your Captain.
Many of these things can be nipped before the Trek.

Keep your Families Together--It is important to know where your family members are at all times. While on the
trail, do not let them wander off to friends or other families. There will be plenty of time set aside for group
activities and company intermingling. Never allow a youth to leave the trail alone, even for bathroom breaks
(think missionary rules). Use the buddy system! NO YOUTH “COUPLES” LEAVING THE GROUP, GOING ON
WALKS.
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Toilet Issues on the Trail--Toilets are provided for all participants. If someone can’t wait for the next bathroom
break they must go with someone at least 50 yards from the trail. Please encourage everyone to use hand
sanitizer after each potty break. A Word of Caution for the Mas. Be aware that some young women will need some
patience and support on the trail. Some will not be comfortable because of their skirts. You should also be
aware of any special needs of your family members. Come prepared.

Trash--We must take out everything we bring in. Nothing is to be buried! It helps and is encouraged to have a
small trash bag on each handcart.

Electronics--No electronic devices should be brought on the bus or on Trek. This includes but is not limited to
the following: Cell Phones, MP3/IPods/CD players, Gameboys, etc. Vehicle support personnel will have cell
phones. Captains will have walkie talkies.

Sleeping Arrangements:
Families will be dissolved for sleeping at night. The sleeping area will be divided between all the young men
and all the young women on opposite sides. All adult leaders will sleep in the middle. All youth will be sleeping
outside on tarps. No other sleeping arrangements will be made for the youth. We will have roving
priesthood to ensure that tired trekkers get the rest they need.

Food:
Food will be provided by Riley's Farm. No other food is necessary or required. Unless you have specific
medical needs, we discourage bringing additional food. Please do not provide extra food for youth in your
family. It is healthier and more appropriate for you to get the youth to drink more water than provide them with
brownies.

Safety:
Every activity should be done with safety in mind. Many natural hazards exist at camp including poison oak,
snakes, cougars, coyotes, and bears. In addition, dehydration, blisters, sprains, cuts, and other conditions
requiring first aid may occur. Please help the youth to be aware of what to do if any of these are encountered
and encourage the youth to always follow the camp rules. Following the rules and using common sense will
greatly reduce the chance for accidents or injuries. In the event of an injury, please report it to the Trek Health
Team.

Dehydration--This is one of the most frequently encountered medical issues along the trail. Each handcart will
have 5 gallons of water. Water is the most important beverage, not Gatorade. Make sure everyone is drinking
water; watch them do it. (If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.) Dehydration and heat exhaustion often
go hand in hand, so make sure hats or bandanas are used. Keep the sun off your youth. This is not a
sun‐tanning activity.

Drink Plenty of Water. It’s sooo important, we will say it twice! It is important to drink plenty of water
on the Trek, especially if the weather is hot. Encourage your family to drink up and stay hydrated. We
expect you to pester the youth to drink more water than they prefer.

Trail Sickness--Symptoms include headache, nausea, and/or dizziness. It is caused by physical exhaustion
and dehydration. Contact a Medical Specialist if you suspect Trail Sickness. However, if you are hydrated, you
are less likely to get sick.

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Blisters--It is important that everyone take preventative measure to protect their feet. Wearing two pairs of
socks—a thin pair underneath and a more substantial pair on the outside—is encouraged. Summer‐weight
wool hiking socks are preferred. It is a good idea to have a periodic foot inspection to identify blisters and see
that they are treated properly. Duct tape can be placed inside shoes on the seams to prevent blisters.

Insects--Mosquitos and other bugs are the most common. It is recommended that your insect repellent have a
minimum of 17.5 deet. There are ticks in the area. Family members should check themselves each day. Spray
insect repellent on shoe tops, socks, and lower pant legs to help prevent ticks. Contact a Medical Specialist if a
tick is embedded in the skin.

Procedure If Trek Participant Is Injured:

☐ Stop trekking.
☐ Mas and Pas contact their Captain or the Trail Boss who will radio the medical support staff.
☐ Mas and Pas, and Captains will temporarily treat the injured trek participant and give treatment.
☐ Medical personnel will evaluate the condition of the injured participant and give treatment.
☐ Medical staff will update the trail boss and Mas and Pas on the participant’s condition.
☐ If the situation involves evacuation, the medical staff will make the necessary arrangements and
inform the participant’s parents, bishop, and appropriate stake leaders.

Family Equipment:
Along with your own personal gear (see packing/clothing instructions for youth), please bring the following
items for your family:
● Tarps for sleeping under the stars
● Lanterns (propane or battery)
● 3 large garbage bags (for trash)
● Basic First Aid Kit (band aids, antiseptic wipes, Neosporin, baby powder and/or desitin (for rashes),
moleskin, extra sunscreen, tweezers, etc.). The Health Team will have more complete first aid supplies
including pain relievers.
● Consecrated Oil

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Riley’s Farm POLICIES and RULES

Restrictions
No horses, mountain bikes, dogs, firearms, ammunition, fireworks, fishing equipment or ATV’s are allowed on
ranch property without prior permission.

Participants and Vehicles

All participants and support staff must remain on designated trails and roads and it is important for the support
staff to drive safe speeds while on the ranch especially around blind corners. Groups must keep vehicle
numbers to a minimum and the support staff should also have spare tires and chains for two of their vehicles
as the dirt roads can get slick in wet weather.

Trash
“No trace” camping is required. At each campsite groups should line up and do a final sweep before they leave
the area. The ranch does not have a place for garbage so all trash that the groups produce must be hauled off
the ranch and disposed of properly. This includes any leftover food such as uneaten corn meal mush, orange
peels, charcoal briquettes, any signs, twine, or tape on the handcarts and the garbage sacks in the portajohn
units. Place or load bags into designated vehicle or locations for pick up.

Fires
Fires are allowed when the conditions are safe.

Handcarts
No running with the carts, do not use them as rickshaws, no bouncing and do not drop the crossbar, but set it
down gently. Use the pull ropes, put your shoulder to the wheel, chock the wheels on all inclines or declines
and use the spokes as leverage for steep hills.

Common Sense Rules

No running.
Do not throw sticks or stones.
Do not pet the animals unless instructed or climb on any farm equipment.
Watch out for cougars, bears, snakes.
Do not take any food to your sleeping quarters.
Do not wander off even with small groups,
Do not walk into the tall grass unless you clear the way before you.
Lights out at 10:00 pm.
Please maintain a pioneer costume at all times until bedtime and then don’t go wandering around camp in
pajamas.
Please do not throw trash down the urinals in the porta potties
Where possible shovel the horse poop off of the trail as the company proceeds along the way.

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 Trek Rules & Guidelines for Success

Dress Code--Stay in your pioneer clothes until you get back to the stake center at the
end of the trek.
Missionary Rules--No romances (get a number and stay in touch). Buddy system on
the trail.
Stay with your Family--It is important to know where your family members are at all
times. Do not let them wander off to be with other families. There will be plenty of time
set aside for group activities. On the trail you must keep all members of your family
within sight.
Toilet Issues on the Trail--Toilets are provided for all trekkers. If you can’t wait for the
next bathroom break you must go with someone of the same gender at least 50 yards
from the trail. Please use hand sanitizer after each potty break.
Sleeping Arrangements--All trekkers (including adults) sleep outside on tarps. There
are no tents for sleeping. The youth will be divided by male and female with all adult
leaders sleeping in the middle. Once everyone is settled in for the night, there will be
no roaming. There will be security making sure that all trekkers are sleeping through
the night getting all the rest that they need. In other words, stay put.
Dehydration--Water is the most important beverage. Make sure that you drink every
time the cart stops for a break. Drink even if you aren’t thirsty because if you are
thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Dehydration and heat exhaustion often go hand in
hand, so make sure you use your hat or bandana.
Trail Sickness--Symptoms include headache, nausea, and/or dizziness. It is caused by
physical exhaustion and dehydration. However, if you are hydrated, you are less likely
to get sick.
Blisters--Take preventative measures to protect your feet. Try to keep your socks dry. It
is a good idea to have a periodic foot inspection to identify blisters and see that they
are treated properly. You can also let your feet dry out during breaks.

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 Electronics
President Nelson’s Invitation
So, my first invitation to you today is to disengage from a constant reliance on social
media by holding a seven-day fast from social media...if you are paying more
attention to feeds from social media than you are to the whisperings of the Spirit,
then you are putting yourself at spiritual risk—as well as the risk of experiencing
intense loneliness and depression.

Another downside of social media is that it creates a false reality. Everyone posts
their most fun, adventurous, and exciting pictures, which create the erroneous
impression that everyone except you is leading a fun, adventurous, and exciting life.
Much of what appears in your various social media feeds is distorted, if not fake. So
give yourself a seven-day break from fake!

This social media fast can be just between you and the Lord. It will be your sign to
Him that you are willing to step away from the world in order to enlist in His youth
battalion.

Elder David A. Bednar

“If the adversary cannot entice us to misuse our physical bodies, then one of his
most potent tactics is to beguile you and me as embodied spirits to disconnect
gradually and physically from things as they really are. In essence, he encourages us
to think and act as if we were in our premortal, unembodied state. And, if we let him,
he can cunningly employ some aspects of modern technology to accomplish his
purposes. Please be careful of becoming so immersed and engrossed in pixels,
texting, earbuds, twittering, online social networking, and potentially addictive uses
of media and the Internet that you fail to recognize the importance of your physical
body and miss the richness of person-to-person communication. Beware of digital
displays and data in many forms of computer-mediated interaction that can displace
the full range of physical capacity and experience.” Things as They Really Are, 2009

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 Written by William Clayton after hearing the news on the trail that his son was born.

Come, Come, Ye Saints

1. Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor 3. We'll find the place which God

labor fear; for us prepared,

But with joy wend your way. Far away in the West,

Though hard to you this journey Where none shall come to hurt or

may appear, make afraid;

Grace shall be as your day. There the Saints will be blessed.

'Tis better far for us to strive We'll make the air with music

Our useless cares from us to drive; ring,

Do this, and joy your hearts will Shout praises to our God and

swell— King;

All is well! All is well! Above the rest these words we'll
tell—

2. Why should we mourn or think All is well! All is well!

our lot is hard?

'Tis not so; all is right. 4. And should we die before our

Why should we think to earn a great journey's through,

reward Happy day! All is well!

If we now shun the fight? We then are free from toil and

Gird up your loins; fresh courage sorrow, too;

take. With the just we shall dwell!

Our God will never us forsake; But if our lives are spared again

And soon we'll have this tale to tell— To see the Saints their rest obtain,

All is well! All is well! Oh, how we'll make this chorus
swell—All is well! All is well.

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Hope of Israel
3. Strike for Zion, down with

1. Hope of Israel, Zion's army, error;

Children of the promised day, Flash the sword above the

See, the Chieftain signals onward, foe!

And the battle's in array! Ev'ry stroke disarms a

foeman;

[Chorus] Ev'ry step we conq'ring go.

Hope of Israel, rise in might

With the sword of truth and right; 4. Soon the battle will be
Sound the war-cry, "Watch and over;

pray!" Ev'ry foe of truth be down.

Vanquish ev'ry foe today. Onward, onward, youth of

Zion;

2. See the foe in countless Thy reward the victor's

numbers, crown.

Marshaled in the ranks of sin.

Hope of Israel, on to battle; Text: Joseph L. Townsend,

Now the vict'ry we must win! 1849-1942

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I Stand All Amazed
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers I think of his hands pierced and
me, bleeding to pay the debt!
Confused at the grace that so fully he Such mercy, such love and devotion
proffers me. can I forget?
I tremble to know that for me he was No, no, I will praise and adore at the
crucified, mercy seat,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled Until at the glorified throne I kneel
and died. at his feet.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for Oh, it is wonderful that he should
me care for me
Enough to die for me! Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to
me!
I marvel that he would descend from his Text and music: Charles H. Gabriel,
throne divine
1856–1932
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as
mine,
That he should extend his great love unto
such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for

me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

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The Spirit of God
1. The Spirit of God like a fire is 3. We'll call in our solemn assemblies
burning! in spirit,
The latter-day glory begins to come To spread forth the kingdom of
forth; heaven abroad,
The visions and blessings of old are That we through our faith may begin
returning, to inherit
And angels are coming to visit the The visions and blessings and glories
earth. of God.

4. How blessed the day when the

Chorus lamb and the lion
We'll sing and we'll shout with the Shall lie down together without any
armies of heaven, ire,
Hosanna, hosanna to God and the And Ephraim be crowned with his
Lamb! blessing in Zion,
Let glory to them in the highest be As Jesus descends with his chariot of
given, fire!
Henceforth and forever, Amen and
amen! Text: William W. Phelps, 1792-1872.
Included in the first LDS hymnbook,
2. The Lord is extending the Saints' 1835. Sung at the Kirtland Temple
understanding, dedication in 1836.
Restoring their judges and all as at
first.
The knowledge and power of God
are expanding;
The veil o'er the earth is beginning
to burst.

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Put Your Shoulder to
the Wheel Then don’t stand idly looking
on;
The fight with sin is real.
The world has need of willing men
It will be long but must go on;
Who wear the worker’s seal.
Put your shoulder to the
Come, help the good work move
wheel.
along;
Put your shoulder to the wheel.
Chorus

Chorus
Then work and watch and
Put your shoulder to the wheel; push
fight and pray
along,
With all your might and zeal.
Do your duty with a heart full of song,
Push ev’ry worthy work
We all have work; let no one shirk.
along;
Put your shoulder to the wheel.
Put your shoulder to the
wheel.
The Church has need of helping
hands,
Chorus
And hearts that know and feel.
The work to do is here for you;
Text and music: Will L.
Put your shoulder to the wheel.
Thompson, 1847–1909

Chorus

Handcart Song
When pioneers moved to the West,
So merrily on our way we go
With courage strong they met the test.
Until we reach the Valley-o.
They pushed their handcarts all day long,
Push and pull
And as they pushed they sang this song:
As we go up the hill;
For some must push and some must pull,
So on our way
As we go marching up the hill;
Until we reach the Valley-o.

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