Pioneer Trek in the middle of July?

After returning home from EFY, Megan and Nick started preparing for Youth Conference - which, this year, would be a Pioneer Trek.

The stake hosts a Pioneer Trek every four years.  Michael, Jeffrey, and Nick participated four years ago, and this year, both Nick and Megan were able to go.

We found the "pioneer style" clothes at thrift stores, and Old Navy carried the long skirts Megan needed.  Most of what we bought ended up in the trash because they were covered in muddy red clay and stunk to high heaven. :)

I am still confused why the Stake Youth Committee chose the hottest month (and one of the stormiest) to schedule the trek.  But even after the previous trek got stormed out (they had to move the entire group to the closest church building on the 2nd day), they did it again!  Megan and Nick started exercising in the heat of the day to build their endurance, and they kicked up their fluid intake days before to make sure they were well hydrated beforehand. I have to admit, with the heat and the storms that were in the forcaste that week, I was one worried mama.

Both Megan and Nick were assigned to a "family."  Each family consisted of a Ma, a Pa, and about 8 - 10 siblings. Some families even had a baby (a rice bag in baby clothes).  Nick's ma and pa was the bishop of our ward and his wife.  Megan's was a couple from our ward as well.  The siblings were a mixture of youth from all the wards in the stake.

Nick's Family

Megan's Family

In spite of the heat, the rain, and the occasional thunderstorms, Nick and Megan had a great time!  They enjoyed dancing the Virginia Reel, participating in the Family talent show, listening to and watching reenactments of actual pioneer stories, hearing and bearing testimonies, and bonding with the other "pioneers." Nicholas was asked to bring his ocarina and provide music throughout the trek. They both felt the spirit many times, and Megan was truly touched as she saw and felt a tiny glimpse of what the pioneers went through, especially during the "women's pull" (girls only of each family pulled the handcart up an inclined trail as the boys up at the top sang and cheered them on.)

     Megan in the "Women's Pull"

More Trek Pictures

Pioneer trek - Online Slideshow Maker