Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Stake Youth Pioneer Trek
1. What is the Pioneer Trek?
2. When and where will the Trek take place?
3. Do I need to register for youth conference?
4. What is the purpose of the Trek?
5. Who can participate in the Trek?
6. How much does it cost to attend?
7. Is there a theme or spiritual focus for this year’s Trek?
Preparation and Packing
8. What should I wear at the conference?
9. What did they wear?
10. What clothing and gear are required for the Trek?
11. Are there specific packing guidelines or restrictions?
12. Will food and water be provided, or do participants need to bring their own?
13. What physical preparation is recommended?
14. Can youth bring personal items like phones or cameras?
Logistics
15. How will transportation to and from the Trek site be organized?
16. What is the daily schedule like on the Trek and what are the sleeping arrangements?
17. Will there be bathroom and hygiene facilities available?
18. What happens if the weather is bad during the Trek?
Parental Concerns
19. How are safety and health concerns addressed during the Trek?
20. Will there be trained medical personnel on-site?
21. What is the ratio of adult leaders to youth participants?
22. What if my child has dietary restrictions or food allergies?
23. How do you handle youth who may feel homesick or struggle emotionally?
Church Leaders
24. What are the responsibilities of ward and stake leaders for this activity?
25. How can leaders help prepare the youth for the Trek experience?
26. Are there specific assignments for leaders during the Trek?
Additional Information
27. How will participants be assigned to families or groups during the Trek?
28. What historical reenactments or activities will be included?
29. Who should we contact with additional questions?
1. What is the Pioneer Trek?
The Pioneer Trek is the 2025 Youth Conference activity for the Odessa Texas Stake. From 1856-1860 nearly 3,000 immigrant pioneers from England, Wales, Scotland and Scandinavia journeyed from Iowa or Nebraska to Utah in ten handcart companies. Our trek reenactment will focus on first hand accounts from the Martin and Willie handcart companies. Youth of the stake will bring those stories to life throughout the experience.
2. When and where will the Trek take place?
The 2025 youth conference will be located on a private ranch ESE of Stanton Texas. Travel East of I-20 approximately 9 miles beyond Stanton, taking Exit 165 and South onto FM 818. Once on FM 818 travel South 3.3 miles looking to the east for a black and red sign stating RV Park and Dump Station. Turn East (LT) onto this road, passing the Dove Landing RV Park going just under 1 mile until you come to a 5 way fork in the road. At this intersection you can go right or left and in front of you are 2 cattle guards. Take the right path of the 2 directly in front of you and continue to the campsite. The following coordinates will get you to the Dove Landing RV Park:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4uSibfewJJZbwgGZ6
And this link will take you all the way to the campsite.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cWe7fSfq2GW3mEXy7
The ranch is 40 minutes from Midland, 60 minutes from Odessa, 65 minutes from Andrews, 75 minutes from Big Lake and 20 minutes from Big Spring.
3. Do I need to register for youth conference?
Yes, all participants need to register for youth conference. This includes all youth and adults. Please register for the conference using the link below. We request that all participants register before March 1st. In addition to the registration all participants must complete a printed liability form for the ranch, which is separate from the registration.
Registration Link
Ranch Release Form- Must be printed and signed.
4. What is the purpose of the Trek?
The purposes of youth conferences including the trek is to help youth:
Build faith in Jesus Christ.
Strengthen testimonies.
Develop talents.
Make new friends.
Have fun with youth who share similar beliefs and standards.
5. Who can participate in the Trek?
Beginning in January of the year they turn 14, young men and young women are invited to participate together in a youth conference.
6. How much does it cost to attend?
Youth conferences are funded from the stake or ward budget. Members should not be asked to pay for youth conferences (see 20.6).
7. Is there a theme or spiritual focus for this year’s Trek?
“Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” D&C 6:36
8. What should I wear at the conference?
All participants are encouraged to wear period accurate(or at least period-adjacent) attire throughout the conference. Participants should wear something on their heads to protect from sunburns and sturdy, thick soled shoes, like hiking boots. Although young women might choose to wear a traditional prairie dress and bonnet, choosing a Cowboy Hat, pants and an apron is also appropriate.
Have fun creating a look that you think is period appropriate, remembering these immigrants came from all over the world but were often poor. Participants should not spend much money creating a look. Clothing can often be found at a thrift store or parent’s closet.
NOTE: Participants should avoid wearing t-shirts, shorts, or other clothing with modern advertisements.
9. What did they wear?
The following link will provide images of immigrants in the mid 1800s. When we think of a trek we often think Western. Those wishing to wear Western wear are welcomed to do so but those wishing to create a more authentic look can find inspiration from these images. Click here for clothing examples.
10. What clothing and gear are required for the Trek?
A single, period accurate outfit is sufficient for the experience although many might choose to have 2 looks. Youth should bring:
- a refillable water bottle
- personal items in a single bag or a bucket, like those found at home depot or lowes. Buckets are nice because they are waterproof and can second as a chair.
- sleeping bag
- mess kit/sturdy bowl with fork and spoon
- camp or folding chair
Tents will be handled on the ward level. Cooking gear and food will be purchased by Trek-families as part of the experience.
11. Are there specific packing guidelines or restrictions?
All personal items should fit in a single bag or bucket and be clearly labeled with the participants name and unit.
12. Will food and water be provided, or do participants need to bring their own?
Youth are asked to bring a sturdy, well marked, pre-filled, 2-quart water bottle. Each handcart family will transport water. Food will be “purchased” by families at the trek store as part of the experience. Those with dietary restrictions should note them during registration so accommodations can be made.
13. What physical preparation is recommended?
Participants can expect to walk, pushing and pulling a weighted handcart, 10 miles over 2 days on uneven terrain in a typical West Texas environment. Youth should begin their physical preparation now to be able to physically meet the requirements of the experience.
14. Can youth bring personal items like phones or cameras?
We recognize the desire of youth to capture their experiences in video and images. Phones will be permitted at the conference to meet this end. Charging stations will not be available. Youth will be asked to place cell phones on “airplane mode” during the conference. We will discourage individuals from accessing the internet. Taking photos or video in the sleeping area or restrooms is prohibited. All personal items must fit in the single bag/bucket the youth are allowed to bring.
15. How will transportation to and from the Trek site be organized?
Youth will be driven to trek by ward leaders. Youth will also sleep in ward units each evening. On the property youth will primarily travel by foot. Stake vehicles will have access to the property and will provide appropriate transportation as needed.
16. What is the daily schedule like on the Trek and what are the sleeping arrangements?
Youth can expect to rise at 6 am each morning, break camp, cook and eat breakfast and then begin traveling across the ranch, stopping at preplanned locations to participate in historical re-enactments. Meals will be prepared in family units. A dance will also take place. At night, youth will be sleeping in ward units.
17. Will there be bathroom and hygiene facilities available?
Several port-a-potties will be transported from location to location during the trek. These facilities will be available each morning and evening and at various times throughout the day. No running water will be available during the experience.
18. What happens if the weather is bad during the Trek?
Just like the early pioneers, if the weather is poor we will endure unless safety becomes a concern.
19. How are safety and health concerns addressed during the Trek?
Just like during the real trek, those falling behind and unable to keep up will be left for dead and could be eaten by wolves, just saying.
20. Will there be trained medical personnel on-site?
Many capable adults will be onsite and provide assistance as “Good Samaritans”.
21. What is the ratio of adult leaders to youth participants?
Youth will be placed in family units of roughly 12-14 youth per adult couple. Additional stake leadership and ward leadership will be present throughout the conference. Ward leadership will provide supervision of youth during the evening.
22. What if my child has dietary restrictions or food allergies?
Dietary restrictions should be noted during the registration process and will be handled accordingly. Youth should anticipate consuming period accurate meals. Dietary preferences will not be accommodated.
23. How do you handle youth who may feel homesick or struggle emotionally?
Ma/Pa Couples have been chosen by stake leadership for their abilities to engage youth. In the event all options have been exhausted, parents will be contacted and arrangements made to pick up their child.
24. What are the responsibilities of ward and stake leaders for this activity?
Adult leaders are invited to attend as much of the conference as possible. These include members of the bishopric or stake presidency, ward or stake Young Women presidency, and stake Young Men presidency. Ward Young Women and Young Men advisers may also be invited to attend.
Ward leadership is responsible for the transportation of youth to and from the conference and supervision of youth during the evening. Registered adults can also anticipate receiving additional assignments necessary to the success of the conference, such as assisting at the trek store, setting up camp, moving trailers, etc …
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Wards will be in charge of making sure that they have enough tents for their unit. We will have a separate place for Ma/Pas to sleep so they can have a small break in the evening while the other ward leaders chaperone their youth.
25. How can leaders help prepare the youth for the Trek experience?
Youth will be the main characters at this conference. Please help the youth in your unit create a meaningful scene for the other units to observe using the audio recorded for your ward. Youth must be physically prepared for the hardships of the conference. Please follow up regarding their exercise regularly from now until then.
26. Are there specific assignments for leaders during the Trek?
In order for the conference to be successful all registered adults should anticipate receiving an assignment in addition to their direct youth responsibilities.
27. How will participants be assigned to families or groups during the Trek?
Youth will be assigned to family units based on the total number of registered participants, their unit, gender, age and input from their bishop/branch president and YW President. Final family units will be stake presidency approved.
28. What historical reenactments or activities will be included?
A wide variety of actual historic situations will be recreated and participated in during trek. Youth from all units will be our characters and help us bring these stories to life.
29. Who should we contact with additional questions?
If you’ve read through this entire page and still have questions, call President Ormsby and expect to get an assignment at the trek because you’ve shown the mental fortitude needed to be a pioneer.