Trek Reunion - I can't wait to see the slide show!

Check out the Trek Reunion Fireside Flyer HERE.

It looks like we are in for a good time on Sunday, August 28th at 7:00 p.m. at the Stake Center.  Parents are invited as well!  Should be a great time!

See ya then!

Post Trek Wrap Up for Ma's and Pa's and Activity Committee Members

Ma/Pa Date Night

On Thursday August 11, 2011 at 8:30 p.m. at the Happy Valley building, we will be having ONE MORE MEETING! 
This will be a wrap up/ post trek/ post survey/ get together and discuss how to make the trek better meeting.  Did you get all that?  Hope so.

If you were on the Trek and on the Activities Committee, a Captain, or a Ma/Pa, YOU are invited to this meeting.  Heck - if you went on trek and are an adult - you are welcome to this meeting.  Hope you can make it!  We want everyone to take a minute and take the Ma/Pa survey on surveymonkey located HERE before this meeting.  We would love for each Ma and each Pa to take the survey separately.  If you have any problems with the survey, we might need to add your email to the survey list.  Please contact Pam Edwards for help with the survey.  The more input we have the better we can analyze the data.  Thank you for being a wonderful group of people.  It was wonderful to work with all of you!

A great pioneer day activity

Fry Bread - TREK STYLE

 

4 cups flour

1 cup dry milk

2 tbsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups luke warm water

 

Mix dry ingredients together in one gallon zip lock bag and add water.  Knead for 2 or 3 minutes until smooth.  Make sure your bag remains tightly closed.  Pull off golf ball size or large pieces and pat out flat then fry in melted shortening.  Don't forget to make some yummy honey butter for a delicious treat. 

Welcome Home!

Dear Ma's, Pa's, Captains, Cooks, Horsemen, Photographers, Activity Committee Members, Trail Bosses, Logisitics Staff, and all other leaders,

THANK YOU!

The last 4 days on the Deer Valley Stake Trek was amazing. It is always hard to put into words the activities, growth, camaraderie, and spirit that existed on this wonderful trek.  Thank you for your time and commitment to this youth conference.  The youth had an amazing time and did amazing things.  My personal favorite scene or image that will stay with me forever is the leaders making a circle around the youth at testimony meeting.  Thank you President Weathersby for that.  I loved learning about the protective Mama elephants encircling their babies and how these youth are never alone.  With parents, leaders, and the Savior our children have a huge safety net surrounding them at all times.

Take a minute to think of your highlights from the trek.  Post a comment and share.  Stay tuned for more information about taking a leader survey.  We will post a link for that soon.  There are lessons we can learn from the trek to make it better for the future. 

We love our Deer Valley Leaders!  THANK YOU!  (now go rest for a bit...)

Processing

Someone asked me a good question about processing so I thought it might be good to refresh your memory since our first training session was several months ago.
Processing is helping the youth discover life lessons in their experiences. You will ask them to respond to questions that make them think about what they've experienced such as "What did you learn from that?" "How can you use that at....school, home, quorum, etc?" "How was your testimony strengthened by that?" "What principle of the gospel does that remind you of?" "How do you think that will help you face other situations?" Your goal is to have them glean the truths and share them so try to avoid yes or no questions by starting with how, why and what. You know you're succeeding when THEY are talking more than you are.
Often, a testimony will be shared without the youth even knowing it. It's good to acknowledge that with, "Thank you for that testimony." or, "That is a great testimony to have." Or maybe even, "Did you realize you just bore your testimony?"
Some processing happens formally, in a circle where everyone is expected to share. Some happens more casually as you are talking to the youth, chopping the carrots, setting up camp or just relaxing together. Don't feel that you need to "Process" every thing that happens on the trek, some of it really is just for fun!
Remember: the best processing involves the kids doing the thinking and the talking.

On another note; if you have time, take another look at this video clip and remember to let the youth earn the confidence that comes from doing hard things this week.
"Death Crawl"

1 more day/ 24 more hours until our adventure begins

Last minute stuff - MAKE SURE your name is on EVERYTHING!  There is a good chance that the logistics people will help bring some of your (Ma/Pa) supplies to the camp sites. 

Did you notice your families are growing?  You will probably have up to 13 youth in each family.  Congrats!  I know you will be the proud Ma and Pa of your family!

Bathroom kits - each Ma and Pa need to have a bathroom kit for those emergencies in between port-a-potty stops.  LEAVE NO TRACE BEHIND. 

• toilet paper - in a zip-loc bag to keep clean and dry
• trash bag
• wipes
• feminine hygiene products
• hand sanitizer or soap on a rope
• and anything else you can think of.

Equipment check will be from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.  Please come 15 minutes early and wear regular clothes.

Wednesday morning at 5 a.m., come ready to go in your pioneer clothes and with your camelback filled with water.  Once we have a short devotional, load the buses, and arrive in Happy Jack - the first thing the Ma's and Pa's and CAPTAINS will do is an introduction cheer!  Make it a song, chant, top 10 list, or anything that is fun and introduces you to the youth! 

THANKS for all of your time, talents, and energy in preparing for this trek!  Enjoy your nice soft bed one last night and don't forget to enjoy your glass of ICE water.   We will see you soon!

HAPPY TREKKING!

2 more days! Are you ready? I am not.

The wagons are packed up and loaded.  Everything is ready to go to Happy Jack.  But I've got nothing new to tell you.

Read the older posts.  Check us out on facebook.  Pack your stuff.  Check your lists twice.  Get lots of sleep.  And I will see you at the equipment check Tuesday at 4:45 p.m. at the Stake Center!  ANY Stake Staff and ALL Ma's and Pa's are needed and wanted to help at the equipment check.  Please bring your supplies that night too!