Trek Family Challenges

Getting Ready for Trek

Now is the time to start getting ready for trek. Your trek experience will be positive if you are spiritually and physically prepared. All youth, advisers, and adults that are participating in trek are highly encouraged to participate in the Trek Challenge with their families. This will be a way to prepare spiritually and physically each month for your trek experience.

We promise that as you prepare you will be blessed with an outpouring of the spirit, will develop a great love and appreciation for the pioneers as well as for your Savior Jesus Christ and will be physically and mentally prepared for the challenges of trek.

Get in Shape!

Physical Preparation: Pioneer treks require physical stamina, which leaders and youth 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. All participants should be prepared to walk three miles an hour and be capable of walking up to 10 miles a day while pulling a heavy handcart over rough terrain.

Family History: Who are you Trekking For?

Each trek participant is encouraged to find a name of a pioneer ancestor to trek "in honor of" and bring their story to share.

MONTHLY CHALLENGES

February 2025

Complete 1 or more challenges for each section per month

If you feel inspired to, create your own challenge for one of the sections to prepare for Trek. Share with someone you trust your challenge. Turn to the Lord in prayer for guidance. He wants to help you and loves it when you talk to Him!

Spiritual Challenge: Read/Complete 1 or more of the following.

Read: Ensign Aug 1997 - They Came By Handcarts (overview history of handcarts)

Read: “Think Celestial!” by President Nelson Oct 2023

Start or continue writing in your journal.

Try to record how you have seen the Lord’s hand in your life that day. Also, write down any miracles you have seen or blessings received.

Physical Challenges: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Walk 4-5 times a week (Goal: walk a total of 4 miles during the month)

Practice drinking lots of water when you exercise - hydrate!

Exercise at least 30 minutes 3 times per week

Social Challenge: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Find an accountability partner (it can be a friend, family member, youth leader, etc.) To complete these challenges with.

Check-in once a week with them. Send them a call or text.

Post on social media how you are preparing for Trek. Tag us @farwest.youth on Instagram.

Intellectual Challenge: Read 1 or more of the following

Read: Lund, Gerald, Fire of the Covenant, tales of three handcart companies.

Read: Handcart Companies

Watch the following: Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration

March 2025

Complete 1 or more challenges for each section per month

If you feel inspired to, create your own challenge for one of the sections to prepare for Trek. Share with someone you trust your challenge. Turn to the Lord in prayer for guidance. He wants to help you and loves it when you talk to Him!

Spiritual Challenge: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Read: Ensign Nov 1997 - Following the Pioneers

Start or continue writing in your journal.

Try to record how you have seen the Lord’s hand in your life that day. Also, write down any miracles you have seen or blessings received.

Physical Challenge: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Walk 4-5 times a week in your Trek shoes (Goal: walk a total of 4 miles during the month)

Get your Trek shoes and "break them in".

Practice drinking lots of water when you exercise - hydrate!

Exercise at least 30 minutes 3 times per week

Social Challenge: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Invite 1-5 (or even more if you want!) friends to do the challenges to prepare for Trek. Complete one or more of these challenges together. There is strength in numbers!

Try to reach out to youth who you don’t normally talk to or know very well. Try to include everyone and act how the Savior would.

Post on social media how you are preparing for Trek. Tag us @farwest.youth on Instagram.

Check-in once a week with your accountability partner.

Intellectual Challenge: Read 1 or more of the following

Read: The Pioneer Story

Read: Our Heritage, A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Pages 69-80.

Watch the following: A Legacy More Precious Than Gold: Contributions of the Mormon Battalion (1998)

April 2025

Complete 1 or more challenges for each section per month

If you feel inspired to, create your own challenge for one of the sections to prepare for Trek. Share with someone you trust your challenge. Turn to the Lord in prayer for guidance. He wants to help you and loves it when you talk to Him!

Spiritual Challenges: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Find 5 names on Family Search to take to the temple

Read: Ensign Nov 1991 - Our Mission of Saving

Start or continue writing in your journal.

Try to record how you have seen the Lord’s hand in your life that day. Also, write down any miracles you have seen or blessings received.

Physical Challenge: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Walk 4-5 times a week in your Trek shoes (Goal: walk a total of 6 miles during the month)

Practice drinking lots of water when you exercise - hydrate!

Walk at different times of the day to get used to different temperatures.

Walk different routes to vary the terrain where you walk.

Exercise at least 30 minutes 3 times per week

Social Challenge: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Invite a friend or a family member to find names on Family Search with you.

Post on social media how you are preparing for Trek. Tag us @farwest.youth on Instagram.

Check-in once a week with your accountability partner.

Intellectual Challenge: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Read: Saints, Volume 2, Part 1

Read: Church History in the Fullness of Times, CES, Pages 309-336

Watch the following: Legacy (1993)

May 2025

Complete 1 or more challenges for each section per month

If you feel inspired to, create your own challenge for one of the sections to prepare for Trek. Share with someone you trust your challenge. Turn to the Lord in prayer for guidance. He wants to help you and loves it when you talk to Him!

Spiritual Challenge: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Take the same 5 names found last month to the temple

Read: Ensign May 1997 - Faith in Every Footstep (pioneer rescue and the gospel)

Start or continue writing in your journal

Try to record how you have seen the Lord’s hand in your life that day. Also, write down any miracles you have seen or blessings received.

Physical Challenge: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Walk 4-5 times a week in your Trek shoes (Goal: walk a total of 8 miles during the month)

Practice drinking lots of water when you exercise - hydrate!

About 4 times before the actual Trek, walk longer periods of time uphill

Walk different routes to vary the terrain where you walk.

Walk at different times of the day to get used to different temperatures.

Exercise at least 30 minutes 3 times per week

Social Challenge: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Post on social media how you are preparing for Trek. Tag us @farwest.youth on Instagram.

Share what you are learning about the pioneers in church or with your family. Teach a younger sibling, family member, or friend what you are learning.

Check-in once a week with your accountability partner.

Intellectual Challenge: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Read: I'm a Pioneer

Watch the following: 17 Miracles

June 2025 (Go time!)

Complete 1 or more challenges for each section the week before the Trek.

If you feel inspired to, create your own challenge for one of the sections to prepare for Trek. Share with someone you trust your challenge. Turn to the Lord in prayer for guidance. He wants to help you and loves it when you talk to Him!

Spiritual Challenge: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Start or continue writing in your journal.

Try to record how you have seen the Lord’s hand in your life that day. Also, write down any miracles you have seen or blessings received.

Find a conference talk about miracles, faith, endurance, the pioneers, or another inspired topic and read it. Share with someone you trust how you felt and what you learned.

Consider writing down in your journal notes from the talk and your impressions.

Physical Challenge: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Walk 4-5 times a week in your Trek shoes (Goal: walk a total of 2 miles during the week before Trek.)

Walk in your Trek clothing 1 time so you'll know what to fix if they don't feel right.

Practice drinking lots of water when you exercise - hydrate!

Walk different routes to vary the terrain where you walk.

Walk at different times of the day to get used to different temperatures.

Exercise at least 30 minutes 3 times per week

Social Challenge: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Post on social media how you are preparing for Trek. Tag us @farwest.youth on Instagram.

Check-in that week with your accountability partner.

Intellectual Challenge: Complete 1 or more of the following.

Read a General Conference talk about joy

Watch the following: A Pioneer Miracle - In the Arms of Angels