The memes about Texas weather are well known to residents of the Lone Star state —spring weather in Texas can give you whiplash. The unpredictable Texas weather made its presence known during the San Antonio North Stake’s trek with high winds and temperatures dropping as low as 14 degrees. “Weather was a key aspect and the kids and adult leader’s resilience was amazing to see,” said Mark Bush, who helped with this year’s trek. Bush continued: “We especially appreciated that our pioneer ancestors put up with months of this type (or worse) weather driven by their faith.”
What is Trek all about? It consists of teens giving up their cell phones and games while being clad in long dresses, bonnets, pants with suspenders and a whole lot of down-filled parkas showing up this time. The teens were organized into “families” with mock siblings and assigned a “Ma and Pa”. Each family, consisting of approximately 10 children, were responsible to pull a handcart over uneven terrain as they strived to recreate a pioneer experience. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints they are getting in touch with their “roots” as they simulate the journey of early pioneers across the midwest.
“When ‘Doubt Not Fear Not’ was chosen for our 2022 Trek theme, we never thought the youth and leaders would be tested to the extreme that they were.” said Kelly Abbott. She and her husband David worked as this year’s Trek directors. She said, “The weather went from sunny the first day to very cold and windy through the night and all through the second day as the families pushed and pulled handcarts. A few started to have doubts that things would not get better. But as they awoke on the third day, the sun came out. There was a look of triumph and accomplishment on every face. They did it!”
Bush said, “Our youth walked pulling hundred pound plus handcarts for four miles the first day and about nine miles the second on dirt paths and loosely packed rock roads. Most importantly was they took care of each other in Christlike ways.” Angel Mendoza, age 14, said, “During our solo time, when we got to reflect on what had happened at trek, that’s when I realized the reason why it was such an enjoyable experience is that we got to help each other with so many things. We got to help each other with pulling the cart, we got to help each other make meals it was a very good experience.” He added, “the cold was a harsh time!”
Approximately 185 youth attended the three-day hill country Trek, with just over 20 leaving early due to illness or cold. Adding to the authenticity of their experience, they camped under the stars even with the plummeting temperatures. Using the same guidelines as early pioneers, each teen took only 17 pounds of gear to be loaded in their family’s handcart. The trek also featured opportunities for the teens to participate in archery, musket shooting, square dancing, and pioneer era games. Almost 2,200 pounds of food were served over the three days.
Leah Kimball, age 17 , said: “My favorite part of trek was definitely the late night devotional and food with our families. I really appreciated my ma and pa and their experience with the ovens and how to get our food cooked and ready to eat. The food was really fun to make and then I enjoyed knowing that we cooked it outside and made it with our own hands.”
Debbie Walker, one of this year’s “Ma’s” said: “It was easy to relate to the pioneers… Imagining their struggle to survive the cold, to cross the frozen Sweetwater River, and endure day after day of blistering wind and snow.” She continued, “Many of the youth blossom. They are out of their comfort zones and away from technology. They step up and you see a lot of their strengths develop. You can see their growth as they learn they can do hard things. And some of the things they are asked to do are hard.” Reese Vines, age 16, said: “I’m stronger than I thought I would be in the wilderness with the cold and strong winds.”
Bella Kimball, age 15, said, “Trek was super hard. I have never been so cold in my life. I called my mom and dad to come get me but they wouldn’t. Now that I was able to make it through the two most freezing nights of my life and walk the farthest I have ever walked in two days, I know I can do hard things.” Lexi Kimball, age 17, added “At trek I felt the whole time like I didn’t think my legs could ever step. But, I just kept going and going and going – from one mile to the next. I think my biggest take away was that telling myself to take it one mile at a time – I could do it.”
Walker said, “The youth were incredibly resilient and forged onward without complaint or whining with each challenge; cooking in the cold, tying down the handcart with cold fingers, pulling a heavy handcart, aching knees, wind chapped lips and faces, not having fully cooked potatoes to eat, missing loved ones…. I was impressed and inspired by the youth and their commitment to finish the Trek and to help the other members of our family do the same.”
Bush enjoyed watching the youth, “Sharing food, blankets/coats, and any form of heat they could get.” He said trek was, “All topped off with a very special chance to ponder and pray on their own and then share their testimonies at the end.” Walker mentioned, “…one of our youth reminded us, ’in the strength of the Lord we can do all things’. At the end of our trek as we we discussed lessons learned from the experience each of our ‘children’ mentioned their desire to be a full time missionary.”
Kelly Abbott, speaking about all that the youth overcame during Trek, said, “They had endured something that most had never experienced before. It was tough, but these youth gained experiences that they know they can make it through hard situations. If we trust in the Lord and do not fear, miracles happen.”
