Trek 2016 Photos...
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Little Valley Stake 2016 Pioneer Trek

Thanks Bro. Hood and Bro. Thunell

Women’s Pull Devotional

Sis. Renee Rasmussen

2016 Little Valley Pioneer Trek

Stake YW 1^st Counselor

6.17.16

Many of you may be asking yourselves..."Why am I here?  How does this affect my life?"  With that I have a thought for you to ponder--What is the difference between learning about the pioneers and learning from the pioneers?  If you want to learn about them then you will have a good experience here at trek.  You will most likely learn some facts, stories, and feel the spirit at times.  However, there is a good chance your experience will end by the end of the week.  On the contrary, if you want to learn from the pioneers, then when you go home there is an excellent chance your experience with the pioneer trek truly just begins.  If you learn from them you can learn valuable lessons to aid you throughout your trek of your lifetime.  You can pray to have similar courage, strong determination, and positive attitudes to face your most difficult challenges.

I'd like to share a pioneer story about a young mother, her 2 small children, and husband who traveled across the plains in a wagon.  When her husband became seriously ill he could no longer help with the wagon or children.  He could only lay down, leaving his wife to provide everything needed for the family.  As this mother's physical abilities shrank, the distance between her and the wagon train grew larger.  Soon they were all alone and night set in.  In the distance she heard hungry wolves getting closer and she found herself sitting alone in the front of the wagon, gripping an ax.  READY TO DEFEND her family with every ounce of STRENGTH & COURAGE she had left. The night was long and she felt alone as she watched the shadows of wolves encircling her family.  As tired and exhausted as she was, with ax in hand, she prayed through the night for help in defending her family from the hungry wolves and eventually with the rising of the sun, help came. ¹

Now I want you to recall when you have been exhausted (perhaps it’s now!). Was it physical, mental, or spiritual?  Maybe you worked all day, played in a tournament, participated in a race, struggled with a trial or hardship.  Did something or someone push you to an extreme?

GIVE IN:  At some point did you feel like giving in.  Maybe you wanted to give into TEMPTATIONS to find an easier path or give into cutting corners to make it easier.  Maybe you were giving into lowering your standards.   How strongly were you tested to give into the thought of giving up?

GIVE OUT:  Maybe you felt like giving out which is related to strength.  Did some part of you feel like it just couldn’t keep working and it was going to give out because of fatigue.  (Mile 22 of marathon….I wanted to keep running but my legs wanted to give out and stop.)  Did you find yourself questioning if you could physically match your mental ability?   You can only be pushed so hard before you feel you have nothing left to offer.

GIVE UP: Giving in and giving out leads to giving up which is yielding to others control or surrendering.

How tempting is it when faced with something so extremely difficult that you have wanted to give up and quit?  Perhaps these are familiar thoughts you have heard...**it’s too hard   **I can’t or don’t want to do it anymore  **I’m not good enough  **I’m not strong enough to handle this.  THIS IS A REAL EMOTION AND ITS POWERFUL!

RECALLING THE STORY OF THE YOUNG PIONEER MOTHER…

Someday every one of us will be like her.  I am not saying you’ll be sitting in a wagon with ax in hand defending your family against wolves.  BUT I am telling you there WILL BE EXPERIENCES IN YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU WILL FEEL ALONE DEFENDING YOUR FAMILY AGAINST THE WOLVES OF THE ADVERSARY. These wolves will be disguised as worldly desires, death of a spouse or child, divorce, unemployment, health issues, or a weakened testimony, just to mention a few.

Whatever circumstances arise, you need to be strong and courageous and believe in yourself and it starts   NOW!!

I'd like to share 3 Things that will help you prepare to defend yourselves and your families against the wolves of the adversary when you want to GIVE IN, GIVE OUT, & GIVE UP

1.      LOOK IN:  Instead of giving in to temptations and finding an easier path, I want you to LOOK IN.  Look into yourselves and remember who you are.  You are a daughter of Heavenly Father who loves you. We don’t just say that because it sounds nice.  We say it because it is the truth.  I testify you are DIVINE and you each have a literal Father in Heaven who is powerful beyond all understanding and HE knows and loves you.  He wants you to learn and grow and most importantly return to Him.

**You each are strong, talented, beautiful and more powerful then you realize and when the wolves come, and they will….REMEMBER you are a survivor, not a victim and you can and will stand guard.

2.       LOOK OUT:  When you are tired and feel like you are giving out, I want you to LOOK OUT.    First:   Look out for those around you who want to help you defend against the wolves.  Heavenly Father and our Savior don’t expect us to feel alone and that’s why they have given us families, bishops, YW leaders,  teachers, and those around you…..friends!  TURN TO THEM FOR HELP.

Look out for others to help.  When you feel weak and question your ability to go on, I promise strength will fill your soul as you look for others to help and serve them. No matter your situation, there is always someone worse off then you!

 3 Nephi 12: 16 “Let your light so shine before this people that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

You have an opportunity to practice this today.  Perhaps along your travels today you can look around you and search for others who may need your help.  "Remember, when you get where you are going don't forget to turn around and help the next one in line." ²

3.       LOOK UP:  Instead of giving up, I want you to LOOK UP!  When you can’t take it any longer or when you feel you just can’t overcome your trial, I want you to FALL TO YOUR KNEES and pray to your Father in Heaven.  Call upon Him for strength (physically, emotionally, and mentally) and for courage necessary to defend your families against the wolves that are waiting for their chance to DESTROY your HOPE, YOUR HAPPINESS, YOUR FAITH.  Remember to Look Up so God can see your beautiful face!

IF you pray for it, it will come little by little if you just don’t give up. Have Faith, knowing Heavenly Father’s and our Saviors help will come.  “Faith is enduring until you understand.”

As you sit feeling alone at times in the darkness of a trial, hold tight to your faith and remember the SUN WILL RISE, HELP WILL COME and you will sit triumphed, protecting your precious family against the wolves just as this young pioneer mother did.

I testify in the name of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ that these things are true and will help you throughout your lives. 

Footnotes

1.  Pioneer story recalled from a Sounds of the Sabbath reading by Glen Rawson, May 2016

2.  Tim McGraw song titled Humble and Kind.

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EMERGENCY

IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, THE WARD TREK COORDINATORS WILL HAVE EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS, BUT CELL PHONE RECEPTION WILL BE LIMITED IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE TREK...

MORE FAQ's

What can I do to prevent blisters?

Blisters are common on treks, especially among trekkers who are not used to walking long distances. The best blister prevention is wearing comfortable running/tennis shoes that are broken in.  Wearing a thin synthetic inner sock under thicker hiking socks can help reduce moisture and friction, which are factors that can cause blisters.  Cotton socks should be avoided as they tend to absorb moisture and cause blisters.  Send your trekker with plenty of moleskin. You can cut it in the shape of a donut so you can place the hole of the moleskin over the area where the blister has developed.

Can I bring a sleeping pad on the trek?

You can bring a sleeping pad INSTEAD of a blanket ONLY if the diameter is not be more than 8 inches when rolled up and the compressed (rolled) length is not be more than 28 inches.   However, you can bring a thin wool or fleece blanket in addition to a sleeping pad ONLY if it can be rolled up inside your sleeping bag and the sleeping bag can still fit in its carrying bag.  Please do not bring large blankets, especially down blankets.  We do not have space for them in the handcarts.

When do I drop off my trek gear?

All gear needs to be dropped off by Wednesday night.   Your Ward Trek Coordinator will let you know the time and location.

What time do I need to meet on Thursday morning to travel to the trailhead?

Your Ward Trek Coordinator will let you know where and when your ward is meeting.   All trekkers need to arrive at the trailhead by 9:00 am. 

What time will trek end on Saturday?

All parents need to be at the end of the trek to pick up their trekkers by 11:00 am.

PACKING TIPS FOR TREKKERS

TREKKER PACKING LIST TIPS

1)  Put scriptures and journals in a Ziploc bag so they don’t get wet or ruined.

2)  Attach a carabineer to your drinking cup for easy access to water.  The weather is forecasted to be in the 80’s so we want everyone to stay hydrated. Attaching the carabineer and cup to your apron or belt loop will allow you to drink water easily and often.  Each handcart will have 2 5-gallon containers of water. 

3)  Blisters are common on treks, especially among trekkers who are not used to walking long distances.  The best blister prevention is wearing comfortable running/tennis shoes that are broken in.  Wearing a thin synthetic inner sock under thicker hiking socks can help reduce moisture and friction, which are factors that can cause blisters.  Cotton socks should be avoided as they tend to absorb moisture and cause blisters.  Also, bring plenty of moleskin. You can cut it in the shape of a donut in order to place the hole of the moleskin over the area where the blister has developed.

DIRECTIONS for PARENTS to pick up on SATURDAY

PARENTS:  (drive should take about 45 minutes)

Please be to Pine Valley end of the Trek, by 11 a.m. on Saturday morning.  The link for the directions is below.  Again, you may have to copy the link and paste it into your URL bar-- this link will open up the "maps" app in your phones.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/37.133834,-113.6025424/37.4136468,-113.5096415/@37.2787823,-113.7415218,39246m/am=t/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m2!4m1!3e0

DIRECTIONS FOR PICKING UP TREKKERS ON SATURDAY 

1)  From I-15 N take the Bluff St/UT-18 N exit.

2)  Turn left on Bluff St. and travel north on Bluff Street/UT-18 for 27 miles to Pine Valley turn off.

3)  Turn right at Pine Valley turn off.

4)  Travel for 7 miles until you see the Grass Valley/Pinto sign and turn left (you can see a stop sign in the picture off to the left where you will turn). 

5)  Pick up spot for the trekkers will be 1 mile from the Grass Valley/Pinto turn off.

Please arrive by 11:00 am.  There will be 500 trekkers so allow yourself plenty of time to park and walk to the pick up area since there will be a lot of cars.   

Remember to bring your trekker a lunch.

Directions to trailhead for THURSDAY MORNING

Open this link--- directions to the Trailhead on Thursday morning...  plan for a 45 minute drive.  (you may have to copy and paste the link into your own URL bar.-- this link will open up in your maps app with your phone)

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/37.1339064,-113.6029273/37.5114308,-113.6311287/@37.1345572,-113.6097265,1610m/am=t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0

DIRECTIONS TO THE TRAILHEAD

If you will be driving youth or Ma’s & Pa’s and Company Captains up to the Trailhead on Thursday morning, the following are directions:

1)     From Bluff St/UT 18 N exit, travel north for 34 miles to Pinto turn off.  Turn right and the trailhead will be just east of this house.  It is one of the only houses, if not the only house between the Pine Valley turn off and the Pinto turn off.  The trailhead turn off is just 2 miles north of the Mountain Meadows Memorial Site between mile markers 33 & 34.  Youth need to be to the trailhead by 9:00 am.   Ma's, Pa's & Company Captains need to be to the trailhead by 8:15 am.

SLEEPING PADS & IRON ROD DECOR

SLEEPING  PADS

While the weather during trek is forecasted to be nice, the nights will be cool.  The question has been raised if the youth can bring sleeping pads in addition to blankets.  Due to limited space in the handcarts, the youth can bring a sleeping pad INSTEAD of a blanket ONLY if it is 28x8 or smaller (see size specifications below).  However, they can bring a thin wool or fleece blanket in addition to a sleeping pad ONLY if it can be rolled up inside the sleeping bag and the sleeping bag fits in its carrying bag.  Please do not bring large blankets, especially down blankets.  We do not have space for them in the handcarts.

All youth will be dropping off their gear at a location designated by their Ward Trek Coordinator.  Coordinators will be checking all gear to make sure all items meet the correct size requirements to ensure that we don’t overload the handcarts with gear.

SLEEPING PAD SIZE SPECIFICATIONS

The diameter should not be more than 8 inches when rolled up. The compressed (rolled) length should not be more than 28 inches. 

IRON ROD DECORATION

Remember to bring one small item to attach to your family “Iron Rod” that represents your favorite hobby, sport, or interest.  It can be fabric, ribbon, decorative duct tape of favorite sport's team or college, etc.  You can even bring an actual item of your favorite hobby, sport or interest if it’s small like a golf tee or guitar pick.

Here are the videos for our meals.

First is dutch oven chicken, potatoes, and apple blueberry crunch!
Second one is dutch oven chile with cornbread, and a cookie for desert!
Last is dutch oven french toast for Friday morning breakfast!

BONNET PATTERN

Make sure image is printed out on a 8 1/2 x 11" size paper!  I have a few copies already printed. Hit me up, if you want to stop by and grab one :) Sis. Stocking, 668-8229.  Click on the dropbox link below.

Bonnet Pattern (dropbox)

Working on your buckets yet?!?

Here's some information we've been able to gather re: pricing for 5 gallon buckets around town.  If you find a deal..make a commet below.  Or get a hold of a member of the Trek Committee so we can share the info :)

Home Depot  bucket $2.97/lid $1.48
Lowe's bucket $2.98/lid $1.38
Lin's will donate used buckets for free when they are available
Great Harvest will sell used buckets for $2

DIY cushion tutorial is currently located as one of our Popular Posts on the Right Side of the Blog -->  You can also find it by looking in our March posts!  OR here's a quick picture tutorial!!!



Step 1  -- Cut an 11" circle from 2" foam.  Cut a 19" circle from any material.  

Step 2 -- Glue the material to the foam cushion using a glue gun.

Step 3 -- Glue the cushion to the lid.



How to Convert a Collar Shirt into a Pioneer Shirt

Comment below if you have any sewing tips...or send us a pic!

Trek Video Bloopers

Updated Packing List

Personal Gear List (Dropbox)

Updated FAQ's

FAQ’s

When is trek?

June 16-18

Where will trek be held?

In the Pine Valley area

Who can attend trek?

All YM & YW 14-18 years old (must be 14 before August 31, 2016)

When are permission forms due?

April 15, PAST DUE, TURN INTO YOUR WARD REP ASAP!

How many miles will I trek each day?

5-8 miles

What do I need to bring for trek?

Refer to the Packing List on the blog.  Your Ward Trek Coordinator also has copies.

Where can I purchase pioneer clothing?

Pioneer clothing can be purchased online at Deseret Book, White Elegance, Etsy, Amazon, etc.  You can also borrow clothing from friends, family and neighbors who have previously been on a trek.   D.I. is also a great resource.   

What if I want to sew my own clothing?

Simple sewing patterns are available on the blog.  Your Ward Trek Coordinator has copies of bonnet patterns and instructions.

What do I pack my personal items in?

Each trekker will have a 5-gallon bucket to pack their items in.   It will also be used as a chair while camping.  Larger items like your sleeping bag, blanket and coat should be put in a large plastic bag.

Where do I get my 5-gallon bucket?

Contact your Ward Trek Coordinator for information.

Can I bring my cell phone or electronics on the trek?

No.  Digital Camera is ok.

How will the trek families be organized?

Each family will consist of a Ma and Pa and 8-10 youth. 

When will I find out who my Ma and Pa are?

You will find out the morning of the trek at the trailhead.

Will I need to bring extra food or snacks?

No.   You will eat very well and snacks will be provided in between meals.

Will there be portable toilets on the trek?

Yes.   Porta potties will be provided and they will travel with the handcarts.

What if I have a food allergy?

Medical forms need to be completed by each trekker and a space is provided on the form to explain food allergies.   Food will be provided to meet your dietary needs.

What if I have a physical limitation?

Please let your YM or YW president know you would like to attend and every effort will be made for you to participate.

What if we have an emergency at home and need to contact our trekker?

We will be providing emergency contact information to parents, bishoprics, and YM/YW presidencies prior to trek.

What if my trekker has an emergency on the trail?

We have a safety committee in place that will be coordinating all efforts to ensure we are prepared for emergencies.   We will have a medical staff traveling with the handcarts.  If needed, we will bring the trekker off the mountain for further medical treatment.  Parents will be notified of the situation.

How can I prepare now for trek? 

1.  Find comfortable shoes now!!  Running shoes are best so it a good idea to

     start walking in them for at least 2-3 months before trek.

2.  Research a family pioneer story to share during the trek.  For those who don’t

have a pioneer ancestor, this can be a story of family member who had the pioneer spirit.

3.  Start looking for pioneer clothing. 

4.  Read and ponder the scriptures daily along with daily personal prayer.

How does my trekker get to trek on Thursday morning?

Ward Trek Coordinators are arranging car pools, please check with them.  Don't forget to eat a hearty breakfast and to wear your pioneer clothes.

What do I do if I have a question that is not on the blog?

Contact your Ward Trek Coordinator.

Put on your trekking shoes and come join us!!!

Ma and Pa Training

In case you missed the training yesterday, here are some clothing examples and examples of the buckets with contents. 

Trek Video

Help Youth Find Family History Stories

Helping Youth find Family Stories (dropbox)

Tutorial for 5 gallon bucket seat

Please Note:  Buckets DO NOT have to be painted :).  You can also use 2-3" foam padding instead of poly-fill.  It doesn't matter which type of lid you choose.  It just needs to close securly to keep items WATERPROOF!

Monthly Goals to Help Prepare For Trek

Monthly Goals (dropbox)

Young Men Clothing List

Young Men Clothing List

Young Women Clothing List

YW Clothing List

Boy Scout Genealogy Merit Badge

Now would be a great time to start working on this... you will already be doing part of the requirements for the trek.   Click on the dropbox link below.

Boy Scout Genealogy (dropbox)

Trek Coordinator List

Trek Coordinator List

Personal Progress Tips for Trek

Personal Progress for Trek (dropbox)

Click on the dropbox link to see tips and hints for things to accomplish while participating in, and preparing for the trek.

Permission Slip/Medical Release

Permission Slip/Medical Release

Trek LOGO

Here is the Logo being used for the stake trek this summer.  

Welcome!

Welcome to the Little Valley Stake Trek blog.  We will keep updates, patterns, ideas, etc. here on this site. If you have suggestions to go on the blog, please e-mail me.