LOST & FOUND

We hope all of our modern pioneers had a memorable, faith-building experience on Trek! We were constantly impressed with the youth, who endured much and served each other by helping and uplifting one another, on the trail and off. We love those kids! All of their parents should be proud!

We collected several items that were left behind. If you are missing something, please contact Minna Dyer to describe your item and we can make arrangements to get it to you. Thank you!

Last- Minute Trek Items and Suggestions

Trek is nearly here!

Here is some last-minute prep info to help you:

• Remember do not pack the clothes you are wearing on the first day of Trek. Come dressed in pioneer clothing, including your hat or bonnet, your comfy walking shoes and keep any little items you want to carry in pockets- chapstick, sunscreen, etc. 
• Work gloves! Do not pack these either. They were not on the original packing list by mistake (oops) but please try to get some to make pulling and pushing the cart easier. 

• Water bottle with attachment- A water bottle is a must! We will be able to carabiner our water bottles to a rope that's placed around the handcart, so bring a water bottle with a carabiner or hook if you can.
• Bring an extra pair of shoes in case one pair gets wet. You can pack them in your bag if there is no room in your bucket.
• Pack Layers- It might get really cold at night, so pack layers and remember that warm coat or jacket. You can pack it in your bag with your sleeping gear.
• Label your gear- After everything is packed, make sure you label your gear bag and bucket. Use a Sharpie directly on your bucket and bag or label with some tape. 
• Don't forget your necklace! Remember the ancestor you are walking for by wearing the necklace with their name on the medallion. They will appreciate it and so will you!
• Bandana- This is not necessary but very handy.

We want you to be prepared so if you have any questions about what to bring, don't hesitate to ask in the comments!

We are getting excited!

VIDEO "Special Witness"- Elder Rasband

Getting into the Spirit of Trek

Here is something you can watch as a family in the final days of your Trek prep.

As modern pioneers, we are creating a heritage of faith for those who will follow us. 
How can I build upon the legacy of my ancestors? 
How can I be a modern pioneer? 
From Salt Lake City, Elder Rasband answers these questions.

Are you READY?!

Trek is next week! We hope you have been preparing yourself spiritually and physically for this special event.

Here are some things you need to know:

• Make sure you have everything on your packing list for your bedding bag and bucket. Everyone's bag and bucket will be checked by wards before you leave for Trek and at check-in at the Trek site.
• Each youth must bring a NUT-FREE sack lunch for Thursday. All other meals will be provided by the stake.
• Eat a good breakfast Thursday morning.
• Don't hesitate to talk to your ward youth leaders if you have questions!
• Pray and read your scriptures daily!

Wards will be arranging rides for their youth to get to the Trek site. Check with your ward for details regarding Thursday morning drop-off and Saturday afternoon pick-up.

Use this last week to prepare every needful thing so that your Trek experience is a successful one!

Your Bedding Bag and Ancestor Necklace

Thanks to all who came to the activity Wednesday night!
You should have received a bag to pack your bedding and a necklace for the ancestor you are walking for at the activity. If you did not get them, or if you could not go, please let your YM or YW leader know, and we can make sure they get it to you.

FIND A PIONEER ANCESTOR TO WALK FOR

We are asking each youth to find a pioneer name to learn about before Trek. 

 Hannah Belle Martin, Age 16

Learning about your pioneer ancestors will make your Trek experience more meaningful. 
If you do not have an ancestor who crossed the plains, find the name of someone who was a pioneer in other ways. This can be:

• an ancestor who was the first one to bring the gospel to your family 
• someone who came before you who has had a meaningful impact on your life
• someone who overcame great adversity or trials

After you have picked the name of an ancestor to walk for,

Bring your name to the Trek activity next Wednesday!

You will be making a keepsake with your ancestor's name on it that you will be able to take with you on Trek.

Continue to take the time to get to know your ancestor you are walking for. You will find a greater appreciation for who they were, your connection to them will become stronger, and Trek will be more significant. Ultimately, more meaning and purpose in our efforts to gather Israel will come to light.

Padded Bucket Seat Tutorial

Padded Seat Cushion** 
Supplies:

• 1 Gamma lid (Lowe's and Winco) to fit a 5-gallon bucket*
• fabric or bandana, 20"-22" inches wide
• wooden circle, 10"-11" (I found thin craft rounds at Hobby Lobby, $3.99 for a 3 pack)
• foam, 2" thick (I found a 2-pack of 1" foam (12"x12") and put them together)
• staple gun
• Adhesive Velcro strips

1. Gather your materials. (Not pictured is the staple gun and Velcro.)

2. Measure your fabric or bandana to create a 20"-22" circle. I folded a bandana into quarters and measured an 11" arc from the center and then cut.

3. Trace your wooden circle onto your foam. Cut out circle.

4. Place foam circle onto wooden circle. Place fabric circle on a hard surface. Turn foam and wooden circle upside down onto fabric. 

5. Sew a wide basting stitch around your fabric so it can be gathered easier and more evenly.

5. While pulling the fabric taut (but not too tightly) around the foam side and into the center of the wooden side, staple the gathered fabric onto the wooden circle.

6. With both sides of the Velcro strips together, cut 4 Velcro strips to match up on Gamma lid (about 2 3/4" long) and adhere one side of the Velcro pieces to the lid.

7. With other sides of Velcro placed on the 4 secure strips, remove backing to reveal adhesive. Then center padded seat onto the lid, pressing firmly. 

The next part might be a little tricky especially if you have strong Velcro:

8. CAREFULLY pull padded seat off of the lid, making sure (with your fingers) to take the Velcro with it. If the Velcro moves a bit just reposition as best you can to get it to match up with Velcro on the lid.

9. Staplegun the Velcro onto the padded seat. 

Test out your seat (and Velcro placement) by placing it on the lid. If the Velcro matches up, you're done!

*You will need to use a rubber mallet to secure the adapter ring (the part that allows you to screw the lid on and off) onto the bucket. 

**This is for a removable padded seat. If you don't care to take the cushion off, you can just secure the padded seat by hot gluing the wooden base to the lid.

Stake Trek Activity Night (previously known as the "Trek Kick-off Fireside")

Start Trekkin'!

GET YOUR GOOD WALKING SHOES ON AND HIT THE TRAIL! 

Start planning several hikes with your friends and family to get used to walking several miles a day. Your body will thank you!

Don't forget your water, sunscreen, first-aid kit, and bug spray. We needed all of those things on our hike today!

Happy trails!

Pioneer Journeys- More Than a Trek

Flashback to CHS Trek 2014!

Return Trek forms

We need a final head count! Turn in medical & permission forms as soon as possible if you have not done so. Please give them to the following Trek Committee members by May 15th.

• Orangevale- Bro. Aaron McGavok, Bro. Chris Bodily

• Tempo Park- Sis. Minna Dyer, Bro. Kevin Hansen

• Citrus Heights- Sis. Sonia Weaver

• Santa Juanita- Sis. Celeste Whedon, Bro. John Bair, Bro Stephen Nix, Bro. Jeremy Price

• Van Maren- Sis. Shannon Beltram

CHS 2019 Trek Prep video

PHYSICAL PREPARATION

Start preparing your supplies and body now!

• Start looking at second-hand stores for clothing that can be used for Trek.

• Get a 5-gallon bucket (optional: make a padded seat with a Gamma lid). 

• Start thinking about what to pack and how much will fit in the bucket.

• Start a journey to become physically fit for Trek. Start an exercise program or exercise regularly so you can build up your ability to walk several miles on a single hike. 

• Strengthen your health by obeying the Word of Wisdom and eating a balanced diet of wholesome foods. 

• Get a pair of comfortable shoes and begin now to break them in so by the time Trek comes, your shoes feel like old friends who won’t give you blisters!

SPIRITUAL PREPARATION

To be spiritually prepared for Trek, be sure you are doing the following:

• Personal kneeling prayer morning and night

• Study the scriptures every day

• Attend your church meetings and activities every week

• Using Family Search, find ancestor names and do temple ordinance work for them

TREK Packing List

• 5 GALLON BUCKET & LID-  All items must fit in a 5-gallon bucket, EXCEPT the clothes and items you will be wearing AND the sleeping bag/pillow/ground roll which can go into the bag the stake will provide. It is 18" x 30" so plan accordingly.
• Warm sleeping bag (in plastic)/pillow/ground roll
• 1 old blanket
• 1 rain poncho
• 1 warm jacket
• 1 pair of leather or sturdy gloves
• 2 pairs of shoes to hike in (no new shoes, sturdy running shoes or sneakers work best)
• 4 pairs sturdy socks
• 2 sets of underclothing
• 1 metal pie plate, 1 large spoon, and 1 metal cup
• 1 small hand towel and a comb or brush
• 1 toothbrush and toothpaste
• Band-Aids and prescribed medication, Tylenol, Ibuprofen
• 2 heavy duty garbage bags
• Reusable water bottle 
• Chapstick!
• Insect repellent
• Small package of wipes
• Small tissue pack
• Sunscreen
• low-beam flashlight

MEN should bring:

• 2 Pairs of wool, canvas, sport nylon or cotton pants (no jeans)
• 2 long-sleeved shirts
• 1 wide-brimmed western-style hat (no baseball or army hats allowed)
• 1 pair suspenders
• 1 set pajamas or sweats, extra long-sleeve for cold nights

WOMEN should bring:

• 2 mid-calf length, long-sleeved dresses OR 2 mid-calf skirts and 2 long-sleeved blouses
• 1 or 2 bonnets or wide-brimmed hat (with drawstring is beneficial)
• Pajama bottoms or scrubs to go under dress or skirts (leggings optional but might be hot)
• 1 apron
• 1 set pajamas or sweats, extra long-sleeve for cold nights
• Feminine hygiene supplies, cleansing wipes

OPTIONAL ITEMS:

• Camera (point-and-shoot cameras only)
• Personal scriptures
• Harmonica or other small instrument

The "NO" List:

• No food or candy
• No immodest clothing (see-thru when wet or dry)
• No swimming suits
• No shorts, mid-driffs, sleeveless tops
• No T-shirts (as outerwear)
• No jewelry
• No fireworks, matches, or lighters
• No electronic devices (no cell phones, iPads, iPods, kindles, etc.)
• No hatchets, sheath or butterfly knives
• No inappropriate materials or behaviors that are not consistent with the standards found in the For the Strength of Youth booklet

WHY A TREK?

Purposes of Handcart Trek Reenactments*

From 1856 to 1860, about 3,000 Latter-day Saints pulled handcarts across the American plains to gather in the Salt Lake Valley. These pioneers trekked more than a thousand miles through heat and cold; through mud, sand, and sometimes snow; and through rivers and over mountains. They faced trials that required great faith and perseverance.

Treks provide powerful opportunities for youth to:

· Strengthen testimonies 

· Build unity

· Do family history

· Learn and appreciate Church history

· Feel gratitude for the sacrifices of the pioneers and the heritage they provided

· Appreciate their blessings more fully 

· Seek and find guidance to overcome challenges 

· Focus on serving and rescuing others 

· Learn core gospel principles 

Treks that focus on gospel principles that the pioneers exemplified will have lasting impressions on the youth. Some of these principles are summarized as follows:

FAITH

Faith in Jesus Christ sustained Latter-day Saint pioneers as they entered the waters of baptism, journeyed to America, endured adversities, and helped build Zion. Pioneer treks can help today’s youth develop this same faith. Youth can also learn how to be modern pioneers as they establish faith-centered lives and traditions.

OBEDIENCE

In gathering to the American West, the pioneers were obeying the call of a prophet, Brigham Young. Today’s handcart treks can help youth learn the importance of obeying God’s commandments and following the teachings of His prophets.

CHARITY

The stories of the pioneers are replete with examples of people who showed charity to each other in the most adverse circumstances. In trek reenactments, youth have many opportunities to experience the blessings of giving and receiving charity.

SACRIFICE

Latter-day Saint converts made great sacrifices by leaving homelands, families, and friends to gather to Zion. When tragedy struck the Willie and Martin handcart companies in 1856, Church members made great sacrifices to rescue and care for these Saints. As youth participate in handcart treks, they will have opportunities to make sacrifices and to experience the blessings that come through sacrifice.

PERSEVERING THROUGH ADVERSITY

The handcart pioneers’ trek was arduous. Some of these Saints faced harsh winter storms; had inadequate clothing, shelter, and food; and suffered illness and death. Clinging to their faith in God and their vision of Zion, they persevered through the most daunting conditions. Treks can help today’s youth learn to persevere, turn to God in times of trial, and gain a testimony that He will help bear their burdens.

*Adapted From Hardcart Trek Booklet

It's Trek Time!

WELCOME TO THE 2019 Citrus Heights Stake Trek! 

We invite all young men and young women in the youth program to participate in the Citrus Heights Stake Youth Trek this year. It is a wonderful opportunity that only comes around every 5 years! You will grow in many ways to help you understand and appreciate our pioneer ancestors.