Trek Newsletter #2

 

 Hello Again Trekkers!


“Arriving within the confines of this emigrant camp, a most thrilling and touching scene was enacted, melting to tears the stoutest hearts. Young maidens and feeble old ladies threw off all restraint and freely embraced their deliverers, expressing in a flow of kisses the gratitude which their tongues failed to utter. This was certainly the most timely arrival of a relief party recorded in history, for the salvation of people.” 
~Harvey Cliff, 1st Rescue Company

It’s been good to hear from several of you this past week with questions. I also hope you were able to read last week’s attachment (or at least familiarize yourself with a few of these amazing pioneer handcart stories). We will send you a finalized itinerary mid-July. (See the previous Trek Newsletter #1 though for departure and return times and a rough itinerary outline.)

1. SONG: We will sing this song on trek. Most of the youth are familiar with it. Here is a great song to download for your play list this week. Play it and play it again. Please also forward it onto the youth of your ward. Inviting them to download and listen frequently to the song. 

“I Can Do All Things” - featuring Jarica Jamison
MP3 | Instrumental | Sheet Music | Choir Sheet Music version

2. PIONEER CLOTHING: One of you and your youth’s best resource for clothing is former trek participants. Ward, family, friends, and other past trek people have trek buckets and trek clothing sitting around the house. They will most likely happily be willing to loan out their past trek things for use. 

FREE — JC and and Kaylee Weber owners of the Circle of Love here in Rexburg have offered a FREE long sleeved white collarless shirt to any of the men or boys who would like one. They have a couple of old big box full of rental shirts they were going to just take to the DI and wanted to first check if anyone in our stake trek group needs a shirt. (While supplies last.) Give JC Weber a call or email and he will set up a time with you to bring them to a youth activity or coordinate a pickup time. (208) 821-4922 or jweber25@gmail.com 

Sister Jan Gehmlich mentioned her mother has a great bonnet pattern if anyone wanted to use it or learn how to sew a bonnet. (208) 569-4687 gehmybears@mac.com. She also mentioned they might have several bonnets to loan out if anyone wants to borrow one. 


Please pass along this information to your youth as well. 
Where possible, leaders and youth are encouraged to wear pioneer-style clothing.  Doing so helps participants immerse themselves in the trek experience.  It can also foster a sense of unity among the youth and help remove social barriers that may exist.

In obtaining or making pioneer clothing, leaders and youth should not spend excessive time or money.  Many items can be found in existing wardrobes or at secondhand stores. (Fellow ward members, friends, or family might also have lots of past trek clothing that you or youth can borrow.) 

Clothing styles and fabrics need to be appropriate for the anticipated climate and weather conditions to help avoid overheating—or to stay warm.

Ideally, young women’s blouses should be lightweight and long-sleeved, and their skirts should reach the midcalf, with bloomers or shorts underneath to prevent chafing.  Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and comfortable, loose-fitting pants are recommended for the young men.  Cotton fabrics are generally recommended.

To help reduce the likelihood of blisters, participants are encouraged to wear (1) walking or hiking shoes that are broken in and (2) two pairs of socks at a time.  Ideally the inner sock is thin and synthetic, while the outer sock is wool or a wool blend.  Socks that wick away moisture are the most helpful.  Socks that are a wool-synthetic blend can also help reduce the potential for blisters.

To help protect from sun and insects, participants are encouraged to wear long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats or bonnets, and sunglasses.

Clothing should be appropriate for the weather conditions that might occur.  Trekkers should bring protective over-clothing if rain or cold weather is likely.  If they get wet, they should put on dry clothes as soon as possible. 

3. FOOD. All of the ward food specialists met on Sunday to plan, coordinate, and prepare to be your wonderful food specialists. They will help lead the way to keep all of the Trekkers with full stomachs. Contact your ward food specialist with questions.

4. EQUIPMENT: All of the ward equipment specialists met on Tuesday to plan, coordinate, prepare to make sure everyone has adequate sleeping, cooking, and trekking equipment. These equipment specialists will be your pre-departure trek equipment resource. Please feel free to contact ward Equipment Specialist with questions. WARDS, PLEASE plan to bring your own shade canopies.

5. VIOLIN: If you can play the violin or know of youth who can play the violin, please contact Sister Amy Hancock by phone or text— 208-242-8552. We are looking for a few trek participant to play the violin for us in a few select places. (A guitarist might work as well).

6. PIONEER STORIES: Please read through and become familiar with a few pioneer stories to share or chat about over the fire, in the tree grove, and on the trail. Last week’s newsletter attachment has some great ones for consideration!

7. Q&A SESSIONS: First, as mentioned the Henry’s Fork Trek 2023 Blog (also found by just googling it) has a wealth of information. It’s nearly, an informational overload. Because every ward is at different stages and activities with trek preparation, we decided it best to just hold a few Trek Q&A Zoom meetings for anyone who wants to attend and ask questions. These Q&A Sessions are OPTIONAL to attend. We will not be speaking about anything, simply just fielding any questions you might have. They will be 30 minutes in length.

July 6, Thu—7:00 PM

July 9, Sun—4:00 PM

July 11, Tue—6:30 PM

All meetings will be at the following Shane Wasden Zoom Meeting link.

https://byui.zoom.us/j/2084963651?pwd=elQvMzZMNTd1ZnU1Z2JRVTRHSGkxdz09

Meeting ID: 208 496 3651
Passcode: byuidaho12

8. PREPARATION FOR SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES:

WEDNESDAY

DAY 1: Departure-Bus ride to Sellars Creek Ranch. Great time to chat and get to know one another better. Ponder some get to know you questions for youth.

DAY 1: Ward evening time after camp is set up. Under the direction of the bishop. Bishop’s may choose to speak, or have a counselor, or simply let each trek family gather and have individual family time. This will probably be just a shorter thought or discussion and a ward/family prayer to close the evening because of the short window.

THURSDAY

DAY 2: Morning devotional before hitting the trail. This is under the direction of the bishop whether it will be by family or as a ward and by whom.

DAY 2: Ma & Pa will share a pioneer story or two up at the Cove. Then youth will have solo time to reflect, journaling, etc.

DAY 2: Stake Devotional by President Preator and YW Presidency Member followed by a dance DJ by Brother Haworth.

DAY 2: Close evenings as directed by bishop as a ward or in families.

FRIDAY

DAY 3: Morning devotional before hitting the trail. This is under the direction of the bishop whether it will be by family or as a ward and by whom.

DAY 3: Ma & Pa will share a pioneer story or two at the Mountain Valley Camp to kickoff a discussion.

DAY 3: Stake President Dalling speaking in the West Grove preceded by YW Counselor Sister Amy Hancock and High Councilor Brother Michael Gentry (young men and young women broken into groups and brought back together for President Dalling)

DAY 3: Ward Dinner and Ward Testimony Meetings under the direction of the bishop.

SATURDAY

DAY 4: Morning devotional before cleaning up camp and loading the busses. This is under the direction of the bishop whether it will be by family or as a ward and by whom.

Final thought and another expression of thanks. This trek preparation has caused me to reflect on the actual Trek Preparation. I find it interesting to compare knowing how we (I) feel now and trying to compare it to how the actual pioneers may have felt back at the time before beginning their long handcart pull to Zion. 

What might they have felt? Fear, excitement, nervousness, joy, tiredness, fatigue, hunger, hot, worry, spiritual, and faith-filled courage to get to Salt Lake City as quickly as possible.

I don’t know you all, but I do know that we are all God’s children. I also know that these wonderful youth will be blessed by your love and by your sacrifice of time. Because of this, I already respect and admire you for your willingness and faith-filled courage—just as the pioneers of old.

With love and gratitude,

Shane (and the Trek Committee)

Sisters Gehmlich, Hancock, Klingler, Chambers

Brothers Butikofer, Moss, Stoddard, Anderson, Gentry and President Preator