Families

6 Week Countdown! Check back each week until Trek for more information and ideas regarding FAMILY TREK.

Please be sure to turn in your medical / permission form and payment ASAP to Brother or Sister Hipwell. 

This week we are going over the PACKING LIST. 

This is the packing list that was given to the Youth Conference participants, and we thought this list would work well for families as well. Note: Families are required to bring their own tents / sleeping pads / sleeping bags, etc. We will be staying at a "dry camp" which means if you pack it in, you pack it out. Please plan on bringing a trash bag or two so that you can haul out any personal trash you collect for the time we are there. There will be no hot water, no showers, and no water by the toilets. The bathrooms are not flush toilets, but "vault" toilets. They have assured us they are cleaned regularly and don't smell.

When possible, trek participants are encouraged to wear pioneer-style clothing. Doing so helps participants immerse themselves in the trek experience. Please don't spend excessive time or money on this as many items can be found in existing wardrobes or at secondhand stores. For simple clothing patterns, check out these instructions if you are crafty and would like to make your own. I have also seen some affordable options on Etsy.com if you wanted to go that route.

 

 

Family Home Evening Idea (adapted from this site)

 

PIONEER LIFE

What You'll Need: scriptures, Pioneer Trek map, GAK 412/GAB 101: Crossing the Plains, whatever items are needed for activities.

Scripture: Doctrine & Covenants 136:4 - And this shall be our covenant—that we will walk in all the ordinances of the Lord.

Opening Song: To Be a Pioneer (PCS #218)

Lesson: Introduce Your Family to Trek and Pioneer Life

Many pioneers were brave and faithful. We hear great stories about their courage and bravery, but Pioneers were regular people just like me and you. Today we are going to learn about life as a Pioneer and talk about what we will experience while at Trek.

 

 

 

 

When Joseph Smith first saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ he was living in New York state. The church was formed there and they lived happily, but soon others wanted Joseph Smith to leave New York. The church was growing and getting more and more new members. Other people didn't understand the Prophet's teachings and were angry at the growing church. The saints just wanted to be safe and happy so they kept moving west. Joseph Smith was living in Illinois when angry people killed him in Carthage Jail. After he died, Brigham Young became the Prophet of the church and got all of the saints ready to move west to a place where they could live and no one would make them leave.

 

The people did not have cars. They had to walk and put all of their belongings in wagons. The people who went west with Brigham Young from Illinois to Utah are called Pioneers.

The rules Brigham Young made for the Pioneers were:
1. A bugle will blow at 5:00 a.m. That's when it is still dark outside! Everyone had to get up, pray, eat breakfast, feed and water the animals, and be ready to start walking by 7:00 a.m.
2. The wagons are to keep together while traveling.
3. Every man must stay by his wagon and keep his gun by his side.
4. At night the wagons are to be drawn into a circle. The bugle will blow at 8:30 p.m. Everyone is to pray and be in bed by 9:00 p.m.

- What kind of daily rules do we have?
- Which ones are the same as the pioneers?
- Which rules of ours are different?

This is a good time to go over what trek will be like for your family. What will your family rules be? Discuss with your family what your sleeping arrangements will be at trek.

Here is a sample schedule for a day at trek will be:

7 am – Arise, breakfast, family prayer and scripture
8 am – Prepare handcarts
10 am 4 pm – Trek with wagons
6 pm – Dinner
7 pm – Pioneer games / square dancing
9 pm – Family devotional, prayer, scripture study, prepare for bed
10 pm - Sleep

The first pioneers were to prepare the way for the many Saints who would come later. As they traveled, they made roads and prepared bridges and other ways to cross rivers and streams. They also made maps of the trail and recorded information that would be helpful to the next companies of pioneers, such as good places to camp or feed the animals. The pioneers also stayed busy hunting for food, repairing their wagons and equipment, and taking care of their animals.

At night the pioneers brought their wagons into a circle, with the openings of the wagons facing out. The horses and oxen were tied inside the circle. Some people had brought musical instruments with them, and the pioneers loved to sing and dance. The pioneers also enjoyed playing games such as checkers and telling humorous stories.

What games and activities would you like to do in the evenings as a family at Trek?

Bear your testimony about the bravery of the Pioneers and how we can emulate their strength. Also share what you hope your family will gain from Trek this year.

Activity: Choose from the following activities as they best suit your family.
 

1. Have your kids write their own packing list. Review and discuss why some items are appropriate and others not appropriate for Trek.
2. Watch a video on how to square dance.
3. Watch a pioneer movie.
 

Ideas for pioneer movies can be found online here.