“At first we were a trek family full of strangers, but that soon changed. The first night we were all peacefully sleeping when suddenly a cow woke us up lowing and bawling…a loud cry when out from our girls’ tent ‘my gosh, what is it dying or something?’ The entire tent went up in giggles as they re-enacted the ‘dying cow’…. By the next morning we were a happy pioneer family ready to have some fun! One of the great things about our YM/YW was their willingness to work hard….Working together and strengthening each other is how you get through this life’s journey and make it fun along the way.” Written by a Trek Ma and Pa
“Our trek family was full of friendly, outgoing people who had a lot of fun together throughout the trek…Our most fantastic ability was making friends with one another as we worked toward a common goal on the trek.” Written by Sam Noyce, currently serving a mission in France
One Ma told a trek reporter that she: “felt closer to God, especially during the difficult times. To her, being the youth gave her a great sense of hope – the youth do have a testimony and a desire to obey, the leaders just need to inspire and encourage them along the way.” Written by Bryce Harper, currently serving a mission in California
“We really appreciated the youth who were assigned to our family. They are great people and we wish the best for them. We feel that the trek taught everyone the importance of the family.” Written by a Trek Ma and Pa
“Honestly, I grew to love my trek family…I’m sure I speak for many when I say that I would gladly go back and live in our little Trek paradise full of fun, love, and greater respect for our incredible self-sacrificing ancestors.” Written by Bryce Harper, currently serving a mission in California
“We enjoyed watching our trek kids realize their potential in overcoming difficult obstacles. In the beginning, not everyone wanted to participate and do his/her best….on the second day we came together as a family to overcome the obstacle ahead…After that moment, there appeared to be greater unity, a willingness to help, and more encouragement given to one another….We learned many valuable lessons that will stay with us throughout our lives.” Written by a Trek Ma and Pa
“Each of us had our own strengths – whether in physical strength or the ability to help and encourage everyone else in our family as we pulled our handcart….I think all of our testimonies grew from experiencing just a bit of what the pioneers went through…. The strength and the testimonies of the pioneers had to have been amazing! I don’t believe that they would have done what they did without their faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as well as their prophet. They knew that this gospel is true and they were willing to sacrifice all they had to become closer to their Savior.’ Written by Lyndsey Bohman Yockey, married in the temple 2009, graduate of Weber State.
“The relationship between the parents and children of this trek family was based on trust and dependability. Ma and Pa always knew they could count on their children to do whatever they had to do. Likewise, the children could depend on their parents to always be there to help them with anything they needed….Their love of having fun made them competitive with each other, but at the same time, their trust united them as friends. As a result, they each left trek with great memories and great new friends.” Written by Sam Noyce, currently serving a mission in France
“Seven individual personalities went to work on that handcart without ONE word of complaint! With dogged persistence, they refused to let each other down. When somebody did tire, the rest would quietly take up the slack until that person’s strength returned. All seven insisted on pushing, or pulling, all the time, every step, every mile….Our seven ‘children’ exemplified the spirit of the Pioneers and it is this same steady, even selfless work ethic that moves the Church forward worldwide.” Written by a Trek Ma and Pa
