BYU had sponsored a bunch of youth
activities over the years. I remember
staying at the dorms one time when our stake had gone for an activity for four
or five days. We’d have workshops and
activities to do each day. I remember
having had enjoyed myself.
I don’t recall the year that I was
introduced to pioneer trek. I was
looking for some history online, but thus far all I’ve come across is this article
that barely mentions BYU’s involvement in the 1970s.
Our stake and at least one other
would be making the trek together. We
were divided into groups. There were
three in my group that I knew from my stake.
Everybody else was from the other stake located in another county and
thus I had never met them before.
The two that led the group were referred
to as “Ma” and “Pa” – in actuality both students at BYU who themselves may not
have had any contact with one another except through trek. I don’t know if there experience in being
there was part of their grade or part of their major or what.
Each group was supposed to pick a
name. Our group was known as “the
Kettles” although I think it was changed to “F-Troop” after the first or second
day. Someone in the group had mentioned
that most of the “families” or groups had “cool names” and Kettles sounded so
lame. I don’t think I cared one way or
the other.
We weren’t supposed to bring
anything modern with us – except for maybe our sleeping bags and footwear. We were told we could take two pairs of shoes – one to
walk/hike in and a pair to change into for when we made camp. I don’t even know
if sunglasses were allowed.
We were told that we could bring cameras so
that we could record our memories. Our
outdoor experience was to be as authenticated as possible – which meant using
leaves and not toilet paper when Mother Nature called.
Now mind you, this was in the day
before digital and disposable cameras.
Film had to be loaded into the camera.
My brother and I knew of youth who’s taken cameras loaded with toilet
paper – although I can’t imagine it would have been enough. Pioneers did not have that option.
Our group had killed a snake on the
trail. One of my “sisters” held the
snake and squeezed out a mouse that hadn’t been in their long enough to be
digested. That night each group was told
to make a simple stew. We were the only
group to add meat (the snake) to our stew.
I don’t recall how many handcarts we
had in our company. I know we started
out as the second wagon. We had started
that way but ended up second to last as our one of our wheels kept falling
off. (I think it may have been an
authentic handcart) The last handcart in the company had the sturdiest cart and
were assigned to be the last cart in the company in order to make certain all
participants were ahead and no one got left behind – otherwise we would have
been left behind – or cartless – which would have slowed us down even
more. Often by the time we arrived to
the designated campsite, everyone else had eaten or set up or played games or
whatever, and we – along with the family with the assigned last cart – felt
forgotten. At least I did.
When I write about it now, it sounds
like I had a horrible experience – which I really didn’t. My skin cleared up. I learned to love my family members. I probably gained a better appreciation for
the pioneers. There were positive things
although I remember thinking I would probably not go again if given the
opportunity. I was actually never given
another opportunity.
My three boys were given an
opportunity about ten years ago. All three
enjoyed the experience. There was some
rave. Our middle son Tony asked if he
could go with Jenna when it came her time to go. I smile at the thought of his desire, but I
had no clue where he’d be when/if her time would come. Like I would have the authority to send him
with her. I never dreamed her
opportunity would come after we moved to another state.
From my understanding, the Roseburg
stake offers this activity every four years.
She’s not happy that we are sending her.
Hopefully in four years she will WANT to go rather than be forced.
Jenna is in primary but will be
turning twelve in less than two months.
She will be continuing with her primary class but will go in with young
women’s instead of singing time and primary closing exercises.
This morning we took Jenna the big
city of Roseburg for the first “Pioneer Trek” meeting. She couldn’t understand why she was
there. Her photos showed confusion and
less than thrilled to be there.
I think
her biggest hang-up about going is having to wear a long dress – or just a
dress for that matter. Jenna HATES
wearing dresses! She does enjoy the
stick pull however. Glad something could
make her smile.
I’m happy to hear that the youth
will be offered porta-pottys – though not conducive to authentic pioneering,
does seem more hygienic than the “leaves-in-the-bush-thing” that I had the joy
of dealing with
There do seem to be more
conveniences offered to youth now. First
aid stand-by (which was also available to us) and modern conveniences for times
of emergency that weren’t offered to the youth when I went (such as the cell
phone given to specific leaders who would use them in an emergency situation)
Situations have changed. “Ma” and “Pa” are now married couples from
the stake – who still have to go through at least one year of training (or so
it seems) and the invention of the women’s pull (which they may or may not do –
but have done before) which was not a part of the pioneer trek I had gone on –
or even church history for that matter.
As I mentioned in this post the
Mormon Battalion was recruited in 1846 when the company first came out in
wagons. Handcarts weren’t used until ten
years later. There was no women’s
pull. But all of the feedback I have
read or heard has been positive. I guess
that’s why they keep it. I just think
the youth and leaders really ought to know that not all the reenactments really
are not “reenactments” but “what ifs”
I’ll hopefully have a better post
sometime in July. And hopefully I’ll
have more and better pictures.
