Stake Pioneer Trek

Madi, Eliza, Tinsley (who's visiting us), and Isaac spent 3 days dressed like pioneers on a handcart trek, with about 90 other youth. Lyrad went along as the Camp Doc. (No, he did NOT use leaches.) This is the "before" picture.

Upon arrival at the wilderness area (4 hours away), the youth were divided into families -- 7 or 8 "children" with a Ma and Pa. Here's Isaac waiting anxiously to see who's in his family...

They had great firesides each night

Tinsley and Eliza, the strong handcart women

Eliza in action

Isaac pulling up the hill

Madi in the hoop race

Isaac could beat everyone at stick pull....

....well, ALMOST everyone!

Eliza and Madi were very evenly matched stick-pullers

Isaac was the camp bugler, playing in the morning to wake everyone up, then at night he played "Taps." Isaac's great-great-great-great-grandfather was the bugler in the Martin Handcart Company.

Isaac and his gang of ruffians

Isaac at work

Madi in action

Here's the "after" picture, after 3 days in the sun and dirt with no shower. Each of them had a wonderful experience and said it was definitely worth it! We can't even believe how much planning and work went into pulling this whole activity off so smoothly... but we are so grateful to all the wonderful youth leaders.