Qualifications for a Ma and Pa

Qualifications for a Ma and Pa

As Ma’s and Pa’s, you have one of the most important and critical roles of the Pioneer Trek. You will help set the tone of spirituality and unity that is essential in making the trek successful. You need to be able to relate to youth and teach effectively. You also need to be able to make the time commitment and have the stamina to participate fully in the trek. It will be your responsibility to care for the temporal and spiritual needs of your Trek family. In short, as Ma’s and Pa’s you need to be the best of the best when it comes to testimony, leadership capacity, dedication, teaching and example, especially in working with youth.

1. Each Ma and Pa couple will be responsible for a trek family that consists of 12-14 youth ranging from ages 13 to 18 years old. These youth will be assigned to your “family” from wards in the stake. They may not know you, or the other youth in your family. Each family will pull its own handcart.
2. Each Ma and Pa is expected to:
   * Prepare well physically
   * Prepare well spiritually and seek the Spirit in all they do and say
   * Keep things positive and promote learning on the trek
   * Maintain the physical health and safety of the youth (ex: hydration, blisters, etc.)
3. The trek will be physically challenging including pulling a handcart 3-7 miles a day, spending 2 nights sleeping on the ground and camping in primitive circumstances.
4. All participants are expected to wear pioneer clothing throughout the trek.
5. Ma’s and Pa’s are expected to commit to all of the following training meetings and trek activities. Dates and times not determined yet:
   * Sunday – July 10th Stake Trek Fireside, Stake Center
   * Wednesday July 13th- Load Gear @ Designated Church Buildings (See Schedule)
   * July 14-16 – Trek
6. In addition to your own personal equipment, each Ma and Pa couple will need to provide the equipment for their family listed in the Ma and Pa Family Equipment List.