Eaglecrest First Ward Youth Conference
Trek 2011
When is Trek?
Our youth conference trek will be Monday, July 11 through Thursday, July 14, 2011. The reason we chose to start on a Monday is because the facilities will be less crowded, so we will have a more personalized experience there. This is a ward activity, not a stake activity.
What is Trek?
Trek is the reenactment of the Willey and Martin handcart pioneer experience. Every year thousands of LDS youth perform this reenactment at Martin’s Cove and in other locations throughout the world. We are privileged to live close enough to have our trek at Martin’s Cove, where the pioneers walked. By walking in the footsteps of the handcart pioneers, youth can gain an appreciation for what they have and for the sacrifices made in their behalf. It can be a life-changing, spiritual experience.
Will My Child Be Safe?
Yes. We will have medical personnel with us. Brother McComber was recently called to be our trek nurse. He will be on the trail and in the camp with our youth and will watch for any signs of illness or injury, including dehydration and blisters. He will have a vehicle at the ready at all times to transport ill or injured youth out of the area if necessary. In addition to medical personnel, the adult to youth ratio will be approximately 1 adult to 4 youth. Ma’s and Pa’s will be trained to administer first aid. More than half of the adults will be priesthood holders. Please encourage your child to drink lots of water/sports rehydration drinks during trek. This will prevent dehydration and associated problems.
Will My Child Go Hungry, Like the Pioneers Did?
No. Although trek is a reenactment, the youth will not be required to go without food. In fact, they will be very well fed. Under the direction of Sister Ashman, hearty meals will be given them, along with water and snacks during their walking. We want all trek participants to be healthy and full of energy.
What About Clothing?
When youth participate in sports events, they wear the uniform of their team. When they participate in trek, they wear pioneer clothing. The wearing of traditional pioneer clothing when participating in trek will add to the spirit and authenticity of the experience. However, the spending of excess money and time on obtaining such clothing is strongly discouraged. Many, if not all of the necessary articles of clothing can be found in one’s existing wardrobe or at the local DI.
All youth should bring two outfits.
Girls will need to wear a long sleeved, light colored buttoned-front blouse, a mid-calf to ankle length skirt and a sunbonnet. Long, floor-length skirts are too long for walking in and they tend to get stepped on. Skirts should not be heavy or dark, due to the hot weather. Cotton fabrics are best. They also should look like something the pioneers may have worn. In other words, animal prints and glittery fabrics are not appropriate for trek. The girls can wear an apron if they wish, which will help them keep their skirts clean. They also must wear some kind of shorts under their skirts for modesty. This can be bloomers or bike shorts or whatever they have that will not be too hot under their skirts and will keep them modest.
Boys will need khaki (light colored) pants (like Dockers) and a buttoned-front, long-sleeved, light-colored shirt. A wide-brimmed hat is also needed for sun protection. No baseball caps.
Tee-shirts and jeans will not be allowed. Any youth showing up in tee-shirts or jeans will be given appropriate clothing to wear of the leaders’ choice and questionable fit.
All youth need to wear good walking or hiking shoes or boots. They need not look like pioneer shoes. These need to be well-broken in before trek. This is very important to prevent blisters. The trail is usually dry, but can be muddy, even in July.
How Physically Demanding is Trek?
Our trek plan includes walking about 2 miles one day, and about 10 miles the next day. During these walks, the youth will be pulling/pushing handcarts. They will also be making periodic stops along the way to sit down, drink water and listen to presentations. Youth and leaders will be wise to prepare themselves physically for trek. The recommended trek conditioning guidelines are as follows:
· Eat a healthy diet
· Walk 4-5 times per week.
· For 2-3 times per week, walk 2-3 miles; for 2 times a week, walk 4-5 miles.
· Walk uphill about 4 times, increasing the distance each time, before trek.
Brother and Sister Dupaix will lead a weekly walk on Saturday mornings between now and trek, at 9 a.m., weather permitting, for anyone who wishes to come. The walk will be approximately 2 miles. Meet in the church parking lot.
What’s This About a Pioneer Name?
The youth and leaders attending trek will be assigned a pioneer name to represent. This can be one of their own pioneer ancestors, not necessarily one in the Martin or Willey Handcart companies. If they don’t have an ancestor they wish to represent, they will be assigned the name of one of the Willey or Martin Handcart pioneers, or the name of one of the rescuers from Salt Lake City. The youth are asked to research the name they are given; to find out as much about the person as possible. They will be asked to tell the group about their pioneer during trek. Sister Heather Moore will be assigning pioneer names.
Can My Child Bring a Cell Phone?
No. Electronic devices, including cell phones, MP3 players, boom boxes, etc. are not allowed on trek. Most cell phones don’t work up there anyway. The medical personnel and trek leaders will have working phones for emergency purposes.
Just How Primitive Are the Conditions of Trek?
Rest assured, toilets are available at trek. We do not have to dig holes. Fresh, clean water will also be available. However, there are no showers or electricity available. Girls will find that braiding their hair and wearing a sunbonnet is a good way to hide less-than-perfect hair.
Packing List & Permission Slips
Packing lists and permission slips will be distributed to youth as we get closer to the date of the trek.
Where Can I Get More Information?
Our ward has a trek blog: www.eaglecresttrek2011.blogspot.com
There you will find helpful information and links to additional online information about pioneer treks.
Committee Chairmen Contact Information:
Paul Dupaix email: paul@dupaix.org
Karen Dupaix email: krndpx@yahoo.com
