Contemplation and Reflection on Trek Experiences
As a Ma or Pa, you will have the opportunity to conduct a group activity called ―contemplation
and reflection OR Discussion. They are an essential part of the Trek experience, and their
success will, to a great extent, make the difference between a good and a bad experience for
the participants. Usually, you will follow the same general guidelines for each session. They
can take place on the trail or in camp—informal or formal, at resting times or in planned
meetings.
Reflecting is a lot like a family council. It is the exchange of spiritual insights by the members of
the group. It provides a vehicle to internalize the gospel as its principles are related to various
Trek activities. A good reflection or discussion session does not happen automatically; it requires
considerable preparation and reflection on your part. As you participate in the Trek, keep in
mind the events and how they relate to gospel principles. This offers the youth a chance to
ponder what is going on both spiritually and physically and how it affects everyday life.
Remember that the youth should have their agency and not be forced into a situation where they feel they have to share their feelings. We want them to remember the Spirit rather than
leave feeling embarrassed or mad because they were forced to talk. Involve the complete family.
Use personal Trek experience. Use gospel parallels and analogies.
Guidelines for Contemplation, Reflection and Discussion
Sit in a Circle: The buckets used for personal equipment can be used as chairs.
No one should be on the outside or on the inside but should be facing in towards the center.
Each person should sit close to the one next to him.
This lends to a feeling of belonging and togetherness to the experience.
Equally important, it permits each person to look into the eyes of the other participants.
Physical Comforts: Be sure that you are in a comfortable place, not hot (direct sunshine) or
too cold.
Setting the Stage: After the circle is formed, ask them to think about the previous day
experiences [or the experience you want to discuss]. Invite them to think of a parallel to life,
their relationship with their Father in Heaven, their Savior, their own families, or any
gospel principle.
Getting Started: One way to get the discussion going is to start at one point on the circle and
have each participant respond in turn to the question: "If you could choose one word to
describe how you felt last night, what would it be?" Some of them will be very negative,
and some positive. Next you might ask certain individuals why they said what they did.
You can continue this process, asking for details and changing the topic where necessary.
The Focus: Remember that this is a time for sharing and expressing feelings and ideas
about the experience, life and the gospel. Your responsibility is to initiate the sharing.
You can do this by asking thought-provoking questions, or at times by sharing some of
your own feelings. However, if you just open the time up for discussion you may have complete
silence, so you need to structure the sharing a little.
Reinforcement: For many of the youth this will be a new experience. Try to encourage everyone
to share, but don't force anyone to do it and don't force the parallels. The participants should
come up with them. This is not a time to preach to the youth!! It is their time to teach
themselves! After you ask a question you should sit back and listen. No Right Answers:
You may need to ask additional questions to help the youth think about what has happened to
them, or to help them to understand their feelings. However, you should never ask a question
that looks for a specific answer. A bad question asks for lists, good questions ask for feeling,
experiences, and ideas. Don't force your feelings on them. There is no pre-determined
right answer, just their insights and feelings.
Sit in a Circle: The buckets used for personal equipment can be used as chairs.
No one should be on the outside or on the inside but should be facing in towards the center.
Each person should sit close to the one next to him.
This lends to a feeling of belonging and togetherness to the experience.
Equally important, it permits each person to look into the eyes of the other participants.
Physical Comforts: Be sure that you are in a comfortable place, not hot (direct sunshine) or
too cold.
Setting the Stage: After the circle is formed, ask them to think about the previous day
experiences [or the experience you want to discuss]. Invite them to think of a parallel to life,
their relationship with their Father in Heaven, their Savior, their own families, or any
gospel principle.
Getting Started: One way to get the discussion going is to start at one point on the circle and
have each participant respond in turn to the question: "If you could choose one word to
describe how you felt last night, what would it be?" Some of them will be very negative,
and some positive. Next you might ask certain individuals why they said what they did.
You can continue this process, asking for details and changing the topic where necessary.
The Focus: Remember that this is a time for sharing and expressing feelings and ideas
about the experience, life and the gospel. Your responsibility is to initiate the sharing.
You can do this by asking thought-provoking questions, or at times by sharing some of
your own feelings. However, if you just open the time up for discussion you may have complete
silence, so you need to structure the sharing a little.
Reinforcement: For many of the youth this will be a new experience. Try to encourage everyone
to share, but don't force anyone to do it and don't force the parallels. The participants should
come up with them. This is not a time to preach to the youth!! It is their time to teach
themselves! After you ask a question you should sit back and listen. No Right Answers:
You may need to ask additional questions to help the youth think about what has happened to
them, or to help them to understand their feelings. However, you should never ask a question
that looks for a specific answer. A bad question asks for lists, good questions ask for feeling,
experiences, and ideas. Don't force your feelings on them. There is no pre-determined
right answer, just their insights and feelings.
Testimonies: In set meeting times, time for testimonies should be allowed.
However, it should not be forced but come as a natural part of the reflection
and discussion period.
However, it should not be forced but come as a natural part of the reflection
and discussion period.
Caution: Please take note of the following issues that may arise:
Occasionally a participant will be very open, honest, and sincere about a member of the family
who perhaps did not give 100 percent of himself/herself to pushing the handcart.
If this type of situation arises, it is important to take control of the group and let them know
that the purpose of processing is to express personal insights in feelings about oneself,
(and others if those feelings are edifying) not to criticize, judge, or blame others. We suggest
teaching this when setting up family guidelines before the Trek begins.
who perhaps did not give 100 percent of himself/herself to pushing the handcart.
If this type of situation arises, it is important to take control of the group and let them know
that the purpose of processing is to express personal insights in feelings about oneself,
(and others if those feelings are edifying) not to criticize, judge, or blame others. We suggest
teaching this when setting up family guidelines before the Trek begins.
Don’t let the participant’s laugh at each other or talk while someone else is sharing.
You should listen carefully to each participant.
You should listen carefully to each participant.
It is often hard to implement these new changes and thoughts in our lives.
On the last day of Trek we strongly encourage you to challenge the youth to take home what
they have learned and to ―really change and become like Christ.
On the last day of Trek we strongly encourage you to challenge the youth to take home what
they have learned and to ―really change and become like Christ.
Be yourself in developing your own processing techniques. You are an individual and
the way that you approach contemplation and reflection might be different than others.
There is not necessarily a right way. It is important, however, for you to be comfortable
as you approach this very important part of the Trek experience.
The techniques or ways in which you conduct your processing of contemplation and reflection is the way that you approach contemplation and reflection might be different than others.
There is not necessarily a right way. It is important, however, for you to be comfortable
as you approach this very important part of the Trek experience.
your own choice and will vary with experience, personality, and preparation. Follow the Spirit and
help your family search for insights as they learn from their actual Trek experience. Plan ahead
how to approach contemplation and reflection and get ideas from your family as well.