Ma & Pa Information

Roles of Ma’s and Pa’s

Meet once a month with your TREK family before TREK starting in February

As you meet with your TREK family before we head to Wyoming you will build unity and trust.  This will also be critical in helping the youth in your family follow through with the Stake TREK Family History Plan. Please see the family activities page for ideas on meeting with your TREK families.

Deadlines

Date Activity /Task Location (If Needed)

3-12-2023 Registration Forms Brenda Wager / Kim or Brad Allred

3-29-2023 Ma/Pa Training Stake Center

3-29-2023 Square Dancing Stake Center

4-30-2023 Buckets Completed (no location)

5-30-2023 Flags Completed (no location)

6-25-2023 Pioneer Names (no location)

6-25-2023 Ma/Pa Training Stake Center

6-25-2023 Family History Fireside Stake Center

6-25-2023 Mountain Man Letters Kim or Brad Allred

Enhance the spiritual experience

The Ma and Pa prepare themselves spiritually and seek the Spirit in all they do and say. One of their most important responsibilities is helping the youth benefit spiritually from the trek. Music, stories, testimonies, expressions of love, and family discussions help create an environment in which the Spirit can teach and inspire youth.

 Build unity

The Ma and Pa strive to help members of their group become unified and develop supportive friendships. They ask group members to stay together rather than join with other groups. To help build unity, the Ma and Pa model in their relationship the skills they hope the youth will acquire or increase. They work together in harmony, support one another, and have fun together.

Challenge youth to participate wholeheartedly

The Ma and Pa make every effort to help the youth in their group become engaged in the trek. Rather than doing most of the work themselves, they help all group members work together and make contributions. The Ma and Pa encourage youth to step outside of their comfort zones, although they must not require them to do anything against their will.

Set expectations

As the trek begins, the Ma and Pa discuss expectations with their group. For example, they could explain the importance of working together to make the trek experience beneficial for everyone. They help the youth understand that this doesn’t happen automatically but will require the efforts of each person. Another expectation to discuss is the importance of showing courtesy and respect to each other.

Keep things positive

The Ma and Pa set a good example of being positive. They should be loving, humble, and firm, while also having fun. If one or more youth are detracting from the experience of others, the Ma and Pa counsel with them. Most treks have challenges, but the Ma and Pa can help the group face them positively and prayerfully.

Help the family youth leaders (“big brothers” and “big sisters”)

If the family has youth leaders, the Ma and Pa support them in fulfilling their responsibilities. These responsibilities could include helping lead the family in games, devotionals, meal preparation, and problem solving. · Be there. The Ma and Pa should be present for the entire trek and walk with their group the entire way. They seek to understand the thoughts, feelings, and personalities of each group member. They talk with and listen to the youth individually and as a group.

Let the youth lead

We have been asked by the missionaries at Martin's Cove to let the youth lead and we agree!  These youth are capable of amazing things!  Use them in your planning, use their ideas and help them follow up to get assignments done. Your experience at TREK will be much more powerful for them and you if you let them lead!

Be flexible

Some families are outgoing and lively, while others are quiet and reserved. The Ma and Pa guide their group’s development according to the personalities of those in the group, with the assistance of the Spirit.

Lead family discussions and devotionals

The Ma and encourage group members to share their thoughts and feelings about their experiences. They encourage group discussions in formal and informal settings, such as mealtimes, campfires, and devotionals. The Ma and Pa also share their own experiences, talk about their own feelings, and testify of truth.   Maintain hydration and encourage safety. The Ma and Pa ensure that all group members (including themselves) drink plenty of water. They also encourage youth to be safe and to protect themselves from injury and illness. They observe each of their youth to ensure that they are not sick or unduly struggling. If any questions or concerns arise, they contact a member of the medical team immediately.

Keep track of participants

The Ma and Pa keep track of the youth in their group at all times.

“I wish to remind everyone . . . that the comforts we have, the peace we have, and, most important, the faith and knowledge of the things of God that we have, were bought with a terrible price by those who have gone before us. Sacrifice has always been a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The crowning element of our faith is our conviction of our living God, the Father of us all, and of His Beloved Son, the Redeemer of the world.” —President Gordon B. Hinckley “Our Mission of Saving” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 54

Preparation of Ma’s and Pa’s

Spiritual Preparation Pioneer treks require spiritual preparation. 

Suggestions include:

• Having personal and famiprayersyer each day.

• Listening to and heeding the Spirit.

• Studying the Book of Mormon and other scriptures regularly, giving special attention to the gospel principles that can be taught on trek.

• Going to the temple regularly.

• Learning about Church history, ancestors, and the handcart pioneers.

• Improving teaching and listening skills.

Physical Preparation

Pioneer treks require physical stamina, which leaders can develop by obeying the Word of Wisdom, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. Physical preparation cannot be completed in a short period of time. Ma’s and Pa’s should be prepared to walk three miles an hour and be capable of walking up to 15 miles a day while helping pull a heavy handcart over rough terrain.

Basic Skills

Ma’s and Pa’s should have the following skills or consider learning them:  knot tying, rain protection on the trail and in camp, basic first aid, and no-trace camping and trekking.

Suggestions for Leading Discussions

Both formal and informal discussions can help youth ponder the trek experience and the gospel in their lives. For a formal discussion, the Ma and Pa could gather their group and sit in a circle. The Ma or Pa could share a pioneer story, ask one of the youth to share a story, or share thoughts about an experience from the day. The Ma and Pa could then ask questions to start the discussion. These questions should invite reflection and introspection. Questions could include:

• What parallels do you see between your own life and the experiences of the pioneers?

• In what ways are you a pioneer?

• How do you feel about the trek so far?

• What are you learning from this experience?

• What challenges do the youth of the Church face today?

• How can learning about the experiences of the pioneers help you face your challenges?

• How can the decisions you make now affect your future? How can your decisions affect other people? How can they affect the generations that come after you?

To conclude, someone could share scriptures that are relevant to the discussion, and then the Ma, Pa, or one or more of the youth could share their testimonies. If the Ma and Pa struggle to get the discussion started, they could begin at a point in the circle and invite each person to respond to a question. The Ma and Pa could then follow up with questions that encourage further discussion and application. Everyone should be encouraged to share, but no one should feel required. The Ma and Pa listen carefully to what each person says and give reinforcement. Youth should know that their ideas are heard and valued. Generally the Ma and Pa should do more listening than talking. The Ma and Pa ensure that participants do not criticize, judge, or blame others. If negative feelings about others are expressed, the Ma and Pa let the group know that the intent of discussions is for individuals to share insights and feelings about themselves—and about others if those feelings are edifying.