**If you are coming on trek it is important that you read the Trek Manual, Handcart Trek Reenactments: Guidelines for Leaders.** This is only a brief description of what it means to go on trek and fulfill your given responsibilities.
Chairpersons
Oversee and help organize all aspects of planning the trek. Serve as members of the bishopric youth committee for planning and follow up of the activity. Establish a trek theme, objectives, and schedule by working with the bishopric. Assist in training other leaders and helping coordinate the other leader's efforts.
Trail Boss
A trail boss leads participants along the trek route. This person should be familiar with the route and also be comfortable leading a large group of people outdoors. He or she should be in good physical condition and be able to relate well with the youth. The trail boss sets the pace for the handcarts, usually an average of about 2 miles an hour. He or she also maintains communication between the trekkers and support staff.
Company Captains
Company captains may be assigned to oversee four or five trek families. Company captains work closely with the chairpersons and trail boss to keep leaders informed of the conditions of the companies. They help with activities. They should be in good physical condition, feel comfortable in the outdoors, and enjoy working with youth.
Family Group Leaders
Each trek family consists of 8-10 members who are assigned by trek leaders. A married couple (or two single adults) are called to oversee each family. These leaders are usually referred to as Ma & Pa.
Please see a more complete description of duties under the Ma's & Pa's tab.
Family Youth Leaders
One or two exemplary, mature, youth could be designated as youth leaders for each trek family. Under the direction of Ma and Pa, youth leaders may help lead the family's activities, games, devotionals, meal preparation, and so on.
Safety and Health Leader
The safety and health leader provides safety briefing to all participants before the trek and provides a safety briefing at the beginning of each day. This person also monitors weather conditions and oversees all aspects of fire safety, water crossings, and uphill and downhill travel. He or she ensures that participants have access to drinking water, food, and proper sanitation. The safety and health leader reports directly to the chairpersons.
Medical Team
Licensed health care professionals should be present for the entire trek. At least one physician or other skilled health care professionals should participate in the trek. In addition, one nurse or emergency medical technician (EMT) is recommended for every 50-100 participants. It may be helpful to have some members of the group be trained in wilderness first aid.
Before the trek the medical team can train adult and youth leaders in how to plan activities with minimal risk, prevent accidents and injuries, and recognize early symptoms of illness.
During the trek, the medical team should be prepared with all the medicine, emergency medical equipment, release forms, and transportation needed for their group. Some members of the medical team walk with participants to help with minor needs and observe conditions, while other members follow in a vehicle that is out of sight, ready to help if needed.
Food Committee
The food committee plans the menu for trek, assisted by some of the youth, and purchases the food. Committee members may prepare the meals for the entire group, or trek families could prepare their own meals using food that the committee provides. To keep food safe, committee members should follow guidelines in the Food Safety Fact Sheet on safety.lds.org.
Equipment & Transportation Committee
Members of the equipment and transportation committee arrange for a sufficient number of handcarts (and oversee repairing them if necessary), ensure that clean water is available, and secure all needed equipment(including portable toilets if necessary). Members of this committee may also be assigned to make travel arrangements.
Family History Coordinator
One or more family history coordinators are called to help youth research their ancestors (or another person's ancestors) before the trek. Ideally, each young man and young woman will have a family history story to share. If possible, trek participants are encouraged to do temple work for one or more of their ancestors.
Music Leader
A music leader is called to prepare and lead songs for the trek and related activities.
Historian
One or more historians are called to record events along the trail and to take pictures or videos. If a storytelling coordinator, photographer or videographer are called, they work under the direction of the historian.
Storytelling Coordinator
A storytelling coordinator may be called to research pioneer stories to share or reenact during the trek. Working under the direction of the historian, he or she could assign each person a handcart pioneer to learn about. (or to help each person identify a handcart pioneer to learn about). He or she could also prepare stories and scripts for vignettes during the trek. It is important that these stories be historically accurate. For a collection of stories see treks.lds.org.
Photographer, Videographer
One or more photographers and videographers may be called to make a visual record of the trek. Working under the direction of the historian, they may put together a video presentation to show after the trek and for future reference. This effort should not be elaborate or expensive.
Trail Walkers
Some leaders may be assigned to serve as trail walkers. These leaders often include the stake presidency, bishopric, young men, young women leaders, and others. Instead of being assigned to specific families, they move the entire group, giving encouragement and support. They also help families or individuals who might be struggling.
Dance Instructors
One or more dance instructors may be assigned to teach pioneer dances to the youth and to oversee a dance activity during the trek.
Clothing Coordinators
One or more clothing coordinators may be assigned to help participants obtain or make pioneer clothing. For simple clothing patterns see pages 26-31 of the Handcart Trek Manual.
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