FAQ's

 

 

What is Trek?

Trek is an opportunity to walk the same trails the pioneers walked and learn more about the difficulties endured by inspiring people who sacrificed so much to follow Christ. It is an incredible opportunity to build and strengthen your testimony and prepare you to

Walk with Christ on your own trek of life.

 

How do I participate?

Trek is open to all youth in the Grace Idaho Stake ages 14-18 (turning 14 in 2026). Please attend the Trek Kick-Off Fireside on March 8, 2026 to register, or talk to your youth leaders or one of the contacts found on this website.

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How do I prepare?

Trek is a spiritually and physically demanding experience. You will need to prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually. You should be physically preparing by walking and/or exercising regularly. Prepare to walk 2-3 miles per hour for up to 15 miles. Drink water often and in small quantities. Please get good shoes early on and break them in to minimize risk of blisters and sore feet. Spiritually prepare by learning about the pioneers and finding at least one pioneer ancestor that you can learn more about. Please see the tab on Trek Ready - Trek Essentials for more information.  Also, please review the following physical preparation resources:

• "Getting Fit So We Don't All Die" Here

• "Trek Walking Plan" Here

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Where will Trek be this year?

This year we have the unique opportunity to trek from Sixth Crossing to Rock Creek Hollow in Wyoming. This is a special route that is not always offered, and we are incredibly lucky to have this opportunity. Instead of returning to one base camp each day, we’ll travel along the trail and camp in a new place each night.

 

How will participants be grouped together?

Participants will be placed into “families” of about 8-10 youth with 2 adult leaders (a “Ma and Pa”). Family assignments will be made through prayer and inspiration and will be kept confidential until Trek.

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How will participants be transported to the Trek site?

Participants will travel with their trek families in vans or on a bus.

 

What is the distance participants will be traveling each day?

We will travel approximately 14 miles each day with 4 rest stops along the way to tell stories, rest, and eat.

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What if a participant becomes injured or ill?

We have several medical personnel from our Stake that will be trekking with us to prevent and treat illnesses or injuries that may occur. Prevention is key - likely issues include blisters, heat exhaustion, and dehydration. Plan ahead to avoid and prevent these. A medical cart will be traveling with us as well and there are provisions in place to transport more seriously ill or injured participants if the need arises. Small first aid kits will also be available, but participants are encouraged to bring their own as well. All participants must have a signed medical release/waiver form. Please do not attend Trek if you are already sick; participants will be in close quarters and contagious illness can easily spread.

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What if a participant is unable to walk the trail?

A limited number of “rickshaws” are available. These are basically a chair with two large wheels that can be pulled like a handcart and can provide participants the ability to attend Trek without having to walk the trail.

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Why does the Registration Form need to be turned in now?

Many preparations must be completed prior to Trek, and in order for committees to accomplish their preparations and planning, it is important that they know how many participants will be attending.

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Will there be bathroom facilities on the trail?

Each campground will have bathroom facilities available as well as 2 rest stops with porta-potties along the trail. There are no shower facilities available on trek.

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What are the sleeping accommodations at Trek?

Each Trek family will have 3 tents: one each for YM, YW and Ma/Pa.

Tents, sleeping bags, and other similar gear will be transported to the campground by a group of leaders. Please keep all your belongings organized and labeled to assist in this process. Participants will be required to help set up/tear down their campsites and leave them ready to be transported.

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Will water be readily available to prevent dehydration?

YES! Each participant MUST bring their own water bottle and carry it with them on the trail. Handcarts will have a water container to refill personal water bottles and refill stations will be provided at some of the rest stops along the trail as well.

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Why is it strongly suggested we wear glasses instead of contacts?

Heat, wind, and blowing dust will make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable.

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Should participants wear pioneer style clothing & where can I get it?

Yes. We are asking all participants (youth and leaders) to wear pioneer clothing for the most authentic and meaningful experience at Trek. Missionaries at the Trek sites have noticed that the groups that dress up are more involved and have a better experience; dressing the part changes your mindset and allows for a more meaningful Trek. Please see the packing list for pioneer clothing you should bring. Pioneer clothing can be re-purposed from clothing you already have, purchased secondhand or in stores, online (Shein, Amazon, or stores that specifically sell pioneer clothing), borrowed from family or friends that have attended Trek previously, or handmade.

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What should I bring on Trek?

Space for belongings is very limited since we will be carrying most of it with us on the trail. Each youth will need to have a 5 gallon bucket to carry their personal items. These buckets will double as your seat since most stops do not have benches or chairs to sit on. Each youth should also bring a small trail bag (drawstring bag or small backpack) to carry items they may need along the trail (water, bandaids, sweatshirt, sunscreen). Sleeping gear should be as compact and easy to carry as possible (sleeping bag, pillow, and sleeping pad) - these items should fit into a garbage bag. Tents will be provided. Please see the Clothing tab for a suggested packing list and items not to bring.

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Who should I contact if I have other questions?

•               Pres. Randall Stoddard  - spudster05@hotmail.com (208)221-9155

•             Sis. Heather Porter - randhporterfam@gmail.com (208)251-8344

•             Bro. Travis Gilbert - tdgilbert81@gmail.com (208)221-4747

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