The Trek

The young men and young women of our ward had the opportunity to participate in The Trek this past week.  The Trek is a small reenactment of the pioneer trek west to Utah in the 1800's.  Everyone dressed in pioneer attire and came prepared to push a handcart.  Bryce is decked out from head to toe as the ward gathered at 6 am on Thursday morning.

Bryce and Austen almost look like twins - right down to their canteens!

From left to right are Conner, Austin, Tyler, Jaxon and Bryce.  On the first day the groups arrived, loaded up their handcarts and started down the trail.  They had 9 miles to make that day before they made camp.

 There were four "families" from our ward each headed by a ma and pa.  These are the Everetts - Jenny and Tom.  Tom grew his beard just for this occasion.  He was clean shaven at church Sunday after the Trek.

These are the Breinholts - Jaime and Tyson.  They were also Bryce's Sunday School teachers until a couple weeks ago.  Sister Breinholt is now in the Primary presidency, but Brother Breinholt is still Bryce's teacher.  Bryce thinks they are great!

John Hunt (left) is in the bishopric, and Bishop Jamie Candland.  Bishop Candland had just been on the Aravaipa hike with Dan and Adam but left a little early to get back for the Trek.  That's a lot of walking in one week!  He is a dedicated bishop.

Tom Hale was one of the pas.  Jeff Perkins didn't go on the Trek but is always helping behind the scenes.

Bishop Candland and his wife, Sheri.

Before they loaded up, the bishop spoke about the pioneers and prepared the youth for the spiritual experience the trek could be for each of them.

The Hales - Nola and Tom also went as a ma and pa.  Brother Hale is a podiatrist and was very busy on the trail treating blisters, cuts and sore feet.  During our Fast & Testimony meeting on Sunday the meeting was full of testimonies of the trek.  One young man, Chandler, told how Brother Hale had stitched up his leg after he had a bad fall.  He was very emotional as he told how afterwards Brother Hale kept checking up on him frequently to be sure he was okay.  It was very evident that Chandler had a special experience on the Trek.

Bryce was in the Guthrie family.  JoEllen and Dale Guthrie were his ma and pa.  Bryce came home telling us that his family was the BEST family on the Trek.  He said they weren't just the best in our ward, they were the best in the stake!  What was interesting was that he didn't say it in a boastful way, but in a touching way.

This is Bryce's "family" - the Guthrie family.  From the left - Breanna, Brooke, Alesa, JoEllen, Bailey, Dale, Will, Austen, Kyle, Blake, Jesse, Bryce and Tyler.  Bryce said everyone got along very well.  There was no complaining and everyone pitched in and worked hard.  The kids didn't know which family they were in until they arrived at the church that morning.  Good friends were not grouped together - so these kids formed new friendships during the Trek.

This shot is to show the banner (hanging on the truck).  Each ward was a "company".  Our ward was the Candland Company (each company was named for their bishop).  The motto was "We covenant to never give up".  They definitely lived up to their motto, and judging by the testimonies that were given on Sunday (including Bryce's) this was a significant experience both physically and spiritually for each of the youth.  Thank you to all the leaders who planned, executed and participated in this event.  Our kids are so blessed to have such dedicated leaders!