We kicked off this year with a reenactment of our ancestors who crossed the plains to settle Utah, Idaho, Alberta, Nevada and Arizona. This is a special activity for the youth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints to participate in. The planning committees worked for over 5 months to get ready for this event. Four of our teens were eligible to attend, Emma, Benjamin, Philip & Jane. Nato and Robin were asked to be part of the planning committee. They asked Jake (a.k.a. Elder Taylor) to help in the leadership group too. Jake provided some much needed muscle and shared musical talents too.
Jake looking out for a ride back to camp.
Jake, far left, performing a musical number during a lunch break.
This was a 3 day long event. Jane is shown in the front wearing a bonnet. Jane discovered that bonnets are not her favorite choice for head wear.
Benjamin with the blonde curls and black hat
Each day the youth would work together to pull and push hand carts. Carts like these where used by some of the pioneers crossing the plains. Many also used wagons pulled by horses or oxen, but as we are short on horses and oxen around here we focus our reenactments around hand carts.
Jane in the pink skirt
All the youth were put into groups we called "families" for the event. They typically knew few of the other members of their families when they arrived. Each family was headed with a Ma & Pa (and adult couple who accepted leaderships invitation to come as mentors to the youth). Part of the challenge was to learn to get along and to work together. This is also one of the blessing of these families groups. Most of the families became fast friends.
Benjamin's Family
Jane's Family
Philip's Family
Emma's Family
Back at base camp all the adults worked to keep food and supplies ready for the youth.
Emma wearing the bonnet
All participants had to dress in clothing typical of the era. Most of the participants helped to sew or find there clothing for the trip.
Benjamin
Each day the youth traveled with their carts. There was a new camping spot each evening. Once they made it to camp and set up their site for the night we would gather together for games.
Like log sawing,
Nate: Green Jacket
stilts, tug a war, rag braiding, bull whips, & tomahawks.
Philip: blue stilts, Benjamin: red stilts
Each morning we would wake up and start all over again.
Lunch on the trail.
Benjamin in the blue hat.
Philip wearing the blue vest.
Emma wearing the black hat
Robin was cheering everyone at the end.
Philip
Benjamin
Benjamin
Robin & Jane
Jake in the green jacket, hauling all the extra gear. The youth were asked to carry their basic personal items with them in their carts. However, because of cold February temperatures, super heroes like these men moved all the bedding to the new campsites each night. these men ensured the youth had a chance of being warm and comfortable at night.
Philip
There was dancing and spiritual programs each night. We learned about some of our direct family history and came closer to grasping history on a personal level.
Benjamin at the tug of war.
Philip is throwing tomahawks.
Jane
Jake here teaching how to crack a bullwhip.
This whole event happened in February. In Arizona, that is a great time for this type of activity. It was cold at night, but we had warm days and great youth with fantastic attitudes. It was a great way to kick start our year.
