In 2023 the Longmont Stake has the opportunity to participate in a reenactment of a pioneer handcart trek in commemoration of the Martin and Willie handcart companies' experience crossing the plains in late 1856.  Their examples of faith and dedication in the face of overwhelming trials can serve as an inspiration and strength to us.  The Longmont Stake is going on Trek to help our youth:

• Come to understand their pioneer heritage better

• Learn to work hard through adversity

• Build a stronger testimony and become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ

As the youth prepare physically and spiritually, they will be able to achieve these goals and draw closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  

Emergency Contact Information

If there is an emergency during trek and you need to contact your children,  you can use the following numbers.

• Brad Allred (435) 213-6736

• Kim Allred (435) 770-8143

Important Dates

• March 12, 2023 Registration Forms Due (Printed, signed, and submitted to your Ma and Pa)

• March 29, 2023 Square Dancing Activity (Stake Center) 7:00 pm

• June 25, 2023 Family History/Pioneer Story Fireside (Stake Center) 7:00 pm

• July 25, 2023 Gear Check-In @ the Stake Center per the following schedule

• July 26 - 29, 2023 Trek (Sixth Crossing, Rocky Ridge, and Martin's Cove)

Trek Activities 

Sharing of Ancestral Stories 

• Each participant should plan to trek on behalf of a Pioneer. This does not have to be a direct ancestor.  It should be someone they feel a connection to.  

• Names and stories can be provided by the Stake, but participants are also encouraged to do some Family History research and find an ancestor to Trek for. 

• Participants should be prepared to share a short history of this pioneer with other trek family members when the opportunity arises. 

• These names do not need to be members of the Willie or Martin Handcart Companies. 

• Youth activities might be used to help research family names and prepare to take them to the temple. 

Songs on the Trail 

The pioneers sang a lot. Please try to use music as much as possible. Please encourage your youth to sing and participate in the song whenever the occasion arises. Youth can also be encouraged to learn to play hymns on the harmonica, mouth harp, or penny whistle. Trek songs are printed in the small handbooks. 

Personal Journals 

Each participant will be given a small handbook on Wednesday morning. Please read it and encourage your youth to read it. Have them keep it with them at all times along with a pen or pencil. Talk about the things that have happened and encourage your youth to write about their feelings in the journal section each night before bed. 

Women’s Pull Activity 

On Thursday, the men will be separated from our handcart group. This will require the women of the group to push, pull or drag the handcarts a certain distance on their own. This is to be a reverent experience. Please encourage youth to be respectful and ponder the experience of the many women pioneer saints who were forced to pull the handcarts alone. After the Young Men are pulled aside, they will be given instructions by a member of the Stake YW Presidency and then form two lines at the top of the hill. The Women will also receive instruction by a member of the Stake YM Presidency and then pull the handcarts by themselves up the hill and past the young men who should remain silent, hats off. This is to be a silent moment so the Spirit can do the teaching. 

Square Dancing 

We will have a Square Dance caller that will teach everyone square dance steps and how to do a square dance before we go to Trek. Things learned from this activity will be used during pre-trek dances and activities, as well as at Trek. Youth and leaders should be encouraged to join in and remember that the pioneers utilized dancing and music to emotionally lighten their load during the journey. 

Sweetwater Crossing Activity 

This activity will provide the opportunity for everyone to cross the Sweetwater River at about the same point the pioneers crossed.The crossing should be reverent and help the youth focus on service and love for others. 

Martin’s Cove Walk 

We will walk quietly through the Cove. This is to be a spiritual experience. The only items the youth should have with them on the walk is their water bottle and Trek handbook