The Ma + Pa Handbook

You will be assigned 7-8 youth to take in and love and nurture as a Trek family. Your youth will vary in backgrounds and strengths. Be sensitive to special circumstances your assigned youth may have. Strive to create at all times an atmosphere were all youth within your care feel loved and accepted. Help them feel, recognize, and contemplate the whisperings and promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Always remain positive even through opposition. If your youth see you complaining they might feel free to do the same. Also keep in mind that this may be the only experience youth within your family will have ever had with endowed temple-worthy parents that love the Lord. Help them to recognize the power of these temple bonds and covenants through your positive example.

Anticipate and be prepared to ask and answer questions. Bear testimony spontaneously. Look for opportunities to teach quietly, especially by your example. We also encourage you to allow the youth in your family to teach and lead. Love all family members and be careful not to choose favorites. Be prepared to teach as prompted by the Holy Ghost.

Study and prayerfully seek to understand the Trek theme “Go & Do, Because It’s True” and look for ways to teach this theme to your family throughout the entire Trek experience. Spiritually prepare and pray for guidance as you lead your Trek family. Here are additional ways you can prepare:

Review the medical concerns of each family member and become familiar with their medical, dietary or other needs. Please share this information only as needed.

Conduct an equipment check prior to leaving our starting point. Make certain all items fit inside the youth’s bucket.

The Trek experience requires physical stamina and endurance. This can be obtained through obedience to the Word of Wisdom, eating a balanced diet comprised of wholesome foods and regular exercise.
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Trek participants (youth and leaders) should be able to walk the distances which will be traveled on the trek (unless they have a limiting disability). Specifically, each participant should be able to complete a minimum requirement of walking/running four (4) miles on level ground in 60 minutes or less without undue stress. This usually requires physical preparation months in advance of trek. A training program is included in this packet that will help you acquire the fitness level necessary to successfully complete your Trek. You need to make preparation and plans in advance for anyone in your group who requires special assistance. 

Create a sense of uniqueness within your family that will enhance the overall experience. You can do this through fun songs, games, secret handshakes, chants, unique pioneer “toys,” etc. Be creative and generate a fun dynamic within your group.

There will be ample time to play games with your Trek family during breaks and assigned family time. Prepare ideas and bring needed supplies, especially pioneer related activities that your family can do during these moments of down time. 

Select a youth to be a “big brother” or “big sister” that will serve as a youth leader during family meetings and on the Trek. Select someone that will be a good example and that the other youth will look up to. Encourage this youth leader to be positive and help motivate and encourage the other siblings. This youth can help prepare devotionals, conduct family meetings, and lead games/discussions, etc.

All Trek attendees are responsible personally for obtaining a 5 gallon bucket and lid to be used on the Trek. You may consider designing a padded cushion to go on top of the bucket.

Each family needs to prepare 2 morning devotionals. Assign members of your family to prepare a devotional that includes a prayer and spiritual thought and hymn incorporating the Trek theme into your devotionals.
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Trek families will have approximately 1-hour on Thursday and Friday evening to enjoy family time. Ma’s and Pa’s should plan a combination of fun and spiritual activities for their families to enjoy on these nights. You can involve your youth in the planning process.

Stake leaders will provide and distribute a unique journal for all participants once we reach the Trek site. Journal writing is highly encouraged and will enhance the youth’s spiritual experience during the Trek. Please remind your youth to write in their journals throughout the Trek.

Frequently check the stake website at bozemanldsyouth.org for the most current and up-to-date information.

All Trek participants are requested to dress in pioneer attire.  The responsibility to obtain or make this attire lies solely upon the youth and not the Trek family. Youth should obtain or create their attire on their own or through the help of their ward “Foster Ma & Pa”.

All families are required to bring 3-5 tents and 5-6 tarps. All Trek participants will sleep in their Trek families (a tent for the Ma and Pa, one or two for the YM, and one or two tents for the YW in the group). We also encourage you to bring additional tarps to cover equipment in the case of inclement weather.
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Please utilize the resources of the ward to acquire these items for your Trek family. We strongly recommend you bring extra stakes and poles for your tents.
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Trek families will be asked to break down their own campsites and bring all equipment LABELED to the Logistics Trailer prior to daily departure. Upon arrival all families will be asked to set up their own campsites for the evening.

All families are required to bring one empty 5 gallon water jug to be carried on the handcart. Again, please utilize the resources of your ward to acquire one. Carbonated and highly sweetened drinks are discouraged on the Trek. Adequate ice water will be provided to trek participants at points along the trail and in camping areas.

Because of the nature of this expedition, we will not be able to provide menu options for those with allergies or intolerances. We will have cooler space for those that might need to bring additional food. A menu of meals can be obtained from Sister Britney Kotter to allow participants with dietary restrictions to plan accordingly. Those who need cooler space please coordinate with Sister Kotter ASAP!