Pioneer Trek was both amazing and hard.  Mark and I were first asked to be a "Ma and Pa" for the Trek months in advance.  There were several meetings and lots of prep work by everyone involved.  The 14-18-year-old youth in our Stake, which is made up of 11 wards, prepared by gathering pioneer-style clothing and camping supplies.  As a "ma and pa" Mark and I received some training on what would happen during the four day experience.  The kids went into it not knowing what to expect (that was part of the experience, since the pioneers didn't know all of what they would experience).

The idea behind Pioneer Trek was for these kids to learn a little about what the Pioneers went through, to build relationships with other youth in our Stake, and to build and strengthen their testimonies of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

As a ma and pa, Mark and were one of around 25 couples acting as such.  The youth were put into "families", with each family consisting of a ma and pa, and around 13 youth.  Each family was given a handcart.  We were all given a list of things to pack, and no one was supposed to bring anything not on the list.  They couldn't bring food, candy, flashlights, tents, phones, or any electronics (among other things).  They slept under the stars (although the adults could sleep in tents if they wanted, and we did).  Everyone carried a cup around their neck that they could use to get water from jugs on the cart.

When we first got to our starting point up in the mountains, the ma's and pa's were introduced to the youth.  Then the youth were called by name to join their new "family".  They didn't know who they would be with until that point.  Most of them didn't even know anyone in their group.  That was all by design to take them out of their comfort zone so they could experience something new.

This picture is of Bryan waiting to hear his name called to see what family he would be in...I'm sure the Pioneers all wore sunglasses like we did ;)

Mark and I waiting for our turn to meet our "family".

Mark and I being announced as ma and pa...

After all the families were put together, we introduced ourselves to one another, the boys assembled the handcart, and then we started loading all our stuff onto our handcart.  When everyone was ready we started along the trail as one huge, long line of "Pioneers" trailing through the forest.  We started at about 5pm.  The adults had a general idea of the timeline - how long we'd hike, what we would eat, and activities planned.  The kids knew nothing.

This evening was when we experienced "Rocky Ridge" (an uphill portion of the trail that pushed our kids quite a bit).  It was amazing that we never heard one complaint the entire trip.  Everyone else on the Trek commented on the same thing.  These kids all had smiles on most of them time.

We hiked until about 9:30pm that night.  When it got dark, we hiked without any light whatsoever.  The moon wasn't even up that night.  There were a few stumbles and sprained ankles, but for a group as large as we were, there were surprisingly few problems.

Everyone was excited when we pulled into the designated camping spot that night.  All anyone wanted was some food and someplace to sleep.  We were given a loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter, and a jar of jam to make sandwiches for our family.  Everyone said PB&J had never tasted so good!  Then Mark and I set up our tent, and everyone hit the hay.

Bright and early the next morning it was a choice of oatmeal, or honey nut cheerios.  Then it was back on the trail with our handcarts. 

Mark helping to pack up camp... 

At one point this morning, all the men and boys were "called away to help the army" like the early pioneers (they really went away just so the girls could experience being without the men).  This was an opportunity for the girls to really pull together and get those handcarts up a hill alone.  They came to appreciate the men a whole lot more.  When we got to the top of the hill and the men returned, everyone was VERY happy to see them!  For a lot of girls, this was their favorite part - and opportunity to show what they were made of.  It was also an opportunity to help the weaker in the group - to give service where needed.  I watched many girls get their group's handcarts to the top of the hill, then turn and run downhill to help others who were struggling.

Our AMAZING family!

In the early afternoon of the 2nd day, we reached base camp.  We set up camp and got some lunch, then we were able to participate for the next few hours in all kinds of Pioneer games.  A favorite was the "hair washing station".  Many girls and surprisingly, many of the boys and men, stood in line to get their hair washed.  Pretty funny!  There was also archery, tomahawk throwing, taffy pulling, chocolate no-bake cookie making, and the opportunity to craft a pioneer toy.  One of the favorite activities was the tug-of-war.  Everyone gathered around as group after group went up against each other.  There was a lot of cheering and a lot of dirty faces.  So fun to watch!

Here's Bryan (in the black hat) participating with his "family".

That night was the only night that each family was responsible for making their own dinner.  We all had beef stew and rolls.  It tasted great!

The next day (although it was really Friday) was supposed to be our Sabbath day.  We had sacrament meeting and had some activities designed to get the youth to think about their Savior, Jesus Christ, and all He has done for them.  There were many kids who bore testimony of how this experience had changed them so far.  There were many tears and many expressed feelings of gratitude for their families (both on the Trek and their real ones at home).

Later that night each family had Family Home Evening prepared by the youth.  At ours, the kids decided to have a testimony meeting.  That was one of my favorite parts of the Trek - getting to hear how this Trek had made each of these youth stronger in their testimonies of Jesus Christ and his gospel.  It was amazing to hear each of them talk about the changes, big and small, that they wanted to make in their lives - to hear them commit to do so.

Bryan's family during their Family Home Evening...

I have to admit that this was about this time that I really began missing my other children at home.  I don't like to be away from them for very long.  I was also missing my shower and my bed.  I've never gone more than a day without a shower.  When we went camping growing up, if there wasn't a shower nearby, there was at least a lake or river where you could get cleaned up.  The baby wipe bath just wasn't cutting it for me.  Even camping now in Arizona, I bring a shower tent and a battery operated pump with a propane heater so I can get cleaned up daily.  I was dreaming of a shower...

This is a picture of Bryan with his "family"...

another one taken on our "Sabbath"...

Bryan's Trek parents...

Mark and I with our "family"...

Our family playing games during free time.  This was a favorite...

Mark reading his scriptures...

On Saturday it was time to pack up base camp and hike back to where we could climb in buses and cars and head home.  That was about a four hour hike.  Everyone was in good spirits.  Here we are at the end...

Mark, Bryan, and I  all had a great experience!