Trek Proposal for BJ, CC, and SZ, and SH Youth Conference April 25 -27 (v9 from 23 Feb)

Contents 1. Purpose of Trek 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. 8. 9. Possible Themes and Logos Location Dates Government Approval Participants Committee Activities Sub-Committee: Registration/Publicity Sub-Committee: Equipment and Transportation Sub-Committee: Trek History Sub-Committee: Food Committee: Medical Sub-Committee: Trail Boss with Mas and Pas Sub-Committee: Budget Trek Schedule

10. Church Guidelines

1. Purpose of Trek Strengthen our faith and testimonies of the Savior Facilitate a deeper conversion to our Savior Cultivate appreciation and gratitude for family and other blessings To connect with our past and heritage To learn to work with others, and to love and support your family To learn how to overcome adversity and the blessing that come from following the prophet Develop a greater desire to do family history work and look at examples in the past to pattern our future 2. Possible Themes and Logos

Pioneers of our Day Sub theme: Facing Trials with Faith and Courage

3. Location Youth Conference will begin out in Shunyi on Friday evening around 6:00 pm. There will be an opening bonfire / devotional from 6:00 - 8:00 pm along with dinner. We are working to finalize the location of this event, which will either be held in a field near River Garden or at the ISB or WAB cafeteria. We should have this finalized by March 24th. Youth will then be bused out to the Trek site at 8:00 pm arriving around 9:30 pm to camp for the night. The remainder of the conference (Saturday and Sunday) will be held out on the Kangxi Grasslands about 15 minutes past Badaling. For directions please visit the working docs website that has pictures, googlemaps, and geocode directions. We will be utilizing a large courtyard that used to be a Dairy Farm. It is being leased by the Hendersons who attend the Beijing 1st Branch part of the year and are working on a partnership with a Chinese partner to open a ranch on some land that they have secured near Badaling. The intention is for the ranch to be used as a tourist destination for Chinese people to experience a Western ranch. They have leased a large courtyard (that has water and electricity if needed) that can camp 75100 people. The land outside the courtyard is public land and that is where the trekking would take place. We have spoken with the Hendersons and they have given us permission to utilize the property as well as spoken with the local PSB. Fires are allowed. We visited the property on February 3, 2014 and you can find photos on the website. Overall the site will work great. The Hendersons will be back beginning of April. Members of the working committee will go out and plot out the trek trail on March 22nd and we will finalize details with the Hendersons once they return in early April. We received the following description of the property:

Currently the property is primitive with no restroom facilities, a small well with water, and no shelter. There are groves of trees scattered throughout the grasslands. The area has some roads that are dirt or gravel but basically you can drive anywhere off road you want. Latrines will need to be made for the overnight area. We normally dig trenches and use tarps for privacy when we camp like this. There's easily 5 miles or more of potential hiking routes that may be suitable for day hikes. This area borders a large reservoir and is nestled in a valley just north of Badaling. We are making arrangements for latrines, tents, campfires, food, handcarts, activities, devotionals, sacrament, and testimony meeting to all take place out at the trek site. Please see budget for details on equipment being procured. 4. Dates Youth Conference will be held April 25 - 27, 2014 beginning around 5:00 pm on Friday and ending around 2:00 pm on Sunday. See schedule below for details. 5. Government Approval Typically the church in China notifies the appropriate government leaders for a gathering of Youth Conference. Given that this event also includes a potential Trek dimension, it will be important to work with Elder Toronto to understand what is required by way of government permission. At this point the Youth Conference committee is proposing a full Trek experience including hand carts, pioneer clothing, and sacrament on site if possible. If not possible we propose keeping the pioneer theme and camping at a minimum. 6. Participants BJID (BJ1 2-4, BJ4 4-6, BJ3 15-20, BJ2 1 = 22 - 30) CCID (8 -10) Shenzen District (12-16) Shanghai (30-35) Total Youth = 72 - 91 We will try to minimize the number of adults attending and keep it to essential adults especially for camping and meal times due to space and budget constraints. Essential adults are considered to be the working committee, Mas/Pas, and any additional adult specifically requested to participate. All other youth leaders and adults are invited to attend the Sunday afternoon devotional and will be responsible for their own transporation. All adults traveling from outside Beijing will be camping the entire weekend with the youth. We will utilize the same policy as previous years and that is used for EFY that if a youth turns 14 before September 30, 2014 they are able to attend.

7. Committee The Youth Conference Committee will be led by the Steering Committee, which consists of 1 District Counselor from each District Presidency and provides guidance to the Working Committee and helps to approve key decisions. The Working Committee is made up of District YC Coordinators, District YM/YW Presidents and assigned sub-committee members. They will help implement the design and plan from the youth and manage all of the logistical/operational aspects of the conference. The Youth Conference Coordinators from Beijing will be the Chairs of the Working Committee. The sub-committees and Ma/Pa responsibilities are part of the Working Committee and these will be assignments, not callings. Assignments will be proposed by the Working Committee and approved by the Steering Committee. The Youth Committee is made up of 2 youth from each district and they are involved in the general design and planning of the conference and help make decisions that impact all of the youth.

A. Activities Sub-Committee: Ginger Habel and Nobel Coker Planning all Friday night activities, all activities that take place during the trek, trek activities on Saturday night, and Sunday for sacrament / testimony meeting and devotional.

Friday Activities Special musical number, dance instructions, Ma/Pa greet their children, fun roll call, and family devotional. Saturday Activities *You earn beads for successfully mastering each activity* Before the Trek: Break down camp and pack up handcart During the Trek:
Station A Trust Fall Log Jam Strether Run Lunch Stick Pull Challenge Ring Toss Bean Bag Double Can / Walking on Stilts Station B A-Frame Walk All Tied Up Lighthouse

After Trek: Hoedown and family Devotional Sunday Activities Sacrament, testimony meeting in family units, devotional from key note speaker, and closing devotional on heritage / pioneers. Devotional / Heritage Research Process Before Youth Conference Starting in the beginning of March, youth will be asked to learn the history of their first ancestor that accepted the Gospel of Christ. This could be their personal story if they are the first member of the Church, or it could be the story of someone who crossed the plains 150 years ago. Regardless, all stories are pioneer stories. The youth will document these stories and share them with everyone via our website. This way we will have a history of the amazing stories of conversion and a wonderful testament of past and present pioneers. Each Ma/Pa leader will find the history of the opening of one country of their choice. They will also share this history on the website as a reference for how the Lord have used individuals to open up nations to the Gospel of Christ. During Youth Conference On the first night, Ma/Pa will invite a few members of their family to share the items they have brought and talk about their personal conversation histories and Ma/Pa will conclude by helping the youth see how individuals were tools in their personal histories. On the second night, after having the remaining members of the family share their personal items and history, Ma/Pa will conclude by sharing the story they have prepared and help the youth see that the Lord uses individuals in the opening of nations as well as the conversions of individuals. Devotional

The devotional will be about the story of a normal Korean young man, and how his actions and decisions changed a nation and a people. We will then talk about how our actions and choices today define not only our future, but the future of all that come after us. That is why both the stories and experiences of the pioneers, both past and present, are so important for us to rememberbecause it reminds us that we are instruments in the hands of God that He will use to impact both generations and nations. After Camp All of the stories shared on the site will be consolidated and shared in digital format along with pictures from camp as a memory for all of the youth that attended the camp. Well write up a story about Pioneers across time and nations for the New Era and the Ensign as another memory for our youth and to recognize what they have shared at this special activity.

B. Registration/Publicity Sub-Committee: Eric Peterson Website launched February 24th. Registration closes March 17th. All details posted on working docs site and general details will be provided on registration website.

C. Equipment and Transportation Sub-Committee (ETS): Ben Bohman and Josef Kujanappa All equipment has been located and priced out. Friday afternoon ETS will take all gear out the trek site and set up camp (see budget for details on equipment procurement). Latrines will be provided along the trek route and at campsite. All transportation needs have been located and priced out and once we have final numbers on attendees will be procured (see budget for details on transportation).

D. Trek History Sub-Committee: Kelly Josephson (BJ) Just found out that Shanghai person is no longer available. Karly West checking with Kelly Josephson in BJ3 to see if he is available. Coordinate photography and videography Prepare and distribute post-trek picture heritage stories, CD / CVD Record trek experiences E. Food Committee: Co-Chairs Catherine Beck and Tara Toone 2014 Trek Menu
Friday : Dinner-Catered Pasta, salad, french bread, desserts (3rd branch members) 2,600.00 1,300.00 1,600.00

Saturday: Breakfast- Oatmeal bars, yogurt, bananas, milk, juice Lunch- PB & J on crackers, chips, tuna (allergy alt.), apples, carrot

Dinner- Tinfoil dinners: Creamy Chicken and veggies, s'mores Sunday: Brunch - Pulled Pork Sandwich, chips, melon/grapes, carrots, pasta salad, cookie Dinner (packed for those who are flying) - Wrap, apple, chips, cookie Snacks: Paper: Total Trail Mix, Sunflower seeds, fruit leather, beef jerky knives, forks, sporks, bowls, plates, ziploc bags, napkins, paper bags

1,900.00 2,500.00 300.00 900.00 1,100.00 12,200.00

F. Medical Sub-Committee: Romney Burke (CCID) All medical supplies procured in the US and will be brought to trek. Will have all medical information provided to Dr. Burke (collected via registration) and 4 wheel drive emergency vehicle present throughout the weekend. G. Trail Boss with Mas and Pas Sub-Committee: Craig and Terry Davis Subcommittee Org Trail Boss - Craig Davis and Terry Davis Trail Master - head up the daily movement on trail (??) Camp Master - in charge of supervising camp setup (J. Kujanapa) Shunyi Master - in charge of the travel and sleeping in Shunyi (R. Peterson) Big Brothers (10) - male youth rep from each family group Big Sisters (10) - female youth rep from each family group Ma and Pa (10) - adults for each family group Trail boss will begin to train the adult and youth reps for each family group on roles and responsibilities, schedule, equipment lists etc beginning of April. 8. Budget Please see attached excel spreadsheet.

9. Trek Schedule
Leader in Charge

Time Fri April 25

5:00 - 6:00 PM 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Activity

Location

Notes / Materials Needed

Airport Pick-ups Airport Welcome Activity Theme Shunyi

Bohman R. Peterson Coker Habel Welcome activity - Mas/Pas greet children and hand out necklaces, beads, bandannas, journals

Intro

Seifert

Musical number to set the stage devotional and bonfire. Introduce the theme and the connection to pioneer heritage and about our purpose for this event. Equipment check in w/ Ma/Pa (Trail boss needs 15 minutes w/ Ma/Pa)

7:00 - 7:30 PM 7:30 - 8:00 PM

Logistics Meeting Dinner

Shunyi Shunyi Shunyi Trek Site Trek Site Trek Site

Davis Beck / Toone R. Peterson Ma/Pa Davis Davis

8:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM

Departure Arrive Bed

Family devotional take place on the bus. Some of the youth in their family units share their personal pioneer stories. Find tents and unpack

Sat April 26
6:00 AM 6:30 - 7:00 AM Wakeup Breakfast Scripture study w/i family unit Trek Site Trek Site Davis / Mas & Pas Beck / Toone Family units will have youth lead a short devotional Ma/Pa & Noble first then Ma/Pa introduce a goal to accomplish Coker from the scriptures. Davis / Mas & Pas / Bohman Davis / Mas & Pas / Habel Trek trail activities Beck / Toone Davis / Mas & Pas Davis / Mas & Pas Beck / Toone Lunch activities Trek trail activities Creed hung on the Ma/Pa tent for each family group

7:00 - 7:30 AM

Trek Site

7:30 - 8:30 AM

Break camp and pack carts Trek Site Trek Trail Trek Trail Trek Trail Trek Site Trek Site Trek Site Trek Site

8:30 AM - 12:00 Leave Camp PM trek 2-3 miles 12:30 - 1:30 PM Lunch 1:30 - 4:30 PM 4:30 - 5:15 PM 5:15 - 6:30 PM 6:30 - 7:00 PM 7:00 - 8:30 PM Trek 2-3 miles arrive trek site Set up camp Dinner Free time Dance / Hoe down

Habel

Traditional pioneer music. Instruction will be provided for each dance.

8:30 - 9:30 PM

Devotional

Trek Site

The rest of the family shares their personal pioneer stories, and then the Ma/Pas share their story of the opening of a country. Mas/Pas then lead a discussion to help the youth understand that great work is accomplished by humble individuals that Habel / Coker / are prepared by the Lord.; Mas & Pas *Start Fast

10:00 PM

Bed

Trek Site

Davis / Mas & Pas

Sun April 27
6:00 AM Wakeup Trek Site Davis / Mas & Pas Violin Hymn Mas / Pas & Coker BJ District Presidency Ginger Habel & Noble Coker Break into groups of 2 family units for testimonies. Beck / Toone Photographer Davis / Mas & Pas / Bohman Put this here so we gather everyone and trail boss / can give clear instructions on how to break camp Family units will have youth lead a short devotional first then Ma/Pa introduce a goal to accomplish from the scriptures.

6:30 - 7:00 AM 7:30 - 8:00 AM

Scripture Study Sacrament Testimony meeting in family units

Trek Site Trek Site

8:00 - 9:15 AM

Trek Site Trek Site Trek Site

9:30 - 10:30 AM Brunch 10:30 -10:45 AM Group Photos

Cleanup camp and load all gear 10:30 -11:30 AM on bus Trek Site Key note speaker and 11:30 AM - 1:00 closing PM devotional

Trek Site

Nobel Coker

1:30 PM 3:30 PM

Bus Departs Bus Arrival

Trek Site - Airport or Davis / Mas & One or 2 buses will go directly to the airport and 1 Shunyi Pas & Bohman or 2 buses will go directly to Shunyi. Airport or Shunyi Flight should not depart before 5:00 pm

10. Church Guidelines Safety - https://www.lds.org/callings/aaronic-priesthood/leaderresources/scouting/safety

Youth Handcart Trek Guidelines For more information about this topic, call the Risk Management Division: 1-801-2404049 1-800-453-3860, ext. 2-4049 (toll free in the United States and Canada) This fact sheet provides information to help stake presidencies and bishoprics safely organize and conduct handcart trek activities for stake and ward members.

Introduction Pioneer handcart treks for youth are a local option. Stake presidents and bishops decide whether handcart treks will be held in their area. The following guidelines are provided for stakes and wards that choose to hold a trek activity. Handcart treks require significant planning and supervision to achieve meaningful purposes with minimal risks. Stake presidents and bishops should share these guidelines with all leaders who will be involved in the trek. Leadership Stake presidencies and bishoprics are responsible for and approve all trek plans. They may delegate specific responsibilities for planning the trek activity to qualified leaders, who work under their direction. Planning Handcart treks require extensive preparation and may take up to a year of planning. All plans should follow Church policies as outlined in Handbook 2: Administering the Church, chapter 13 (Activities) and chapter 21 (Selected Church Policies and Guidelines). For a trek activity to be successful, leaders must be well trained and prepared. Where possible, a training trek for leaders is recommended. Leaders should ensure that parents are informed about trek activities. As an alternative to holding handcart treks at Mormon Trail sites, leaders are encouraged to consider convenient sites on public or private land. When such sites are used, leaders should obtain the necessary approvals and ensure that the rights and property of others are respected. In addition, leaders should give careful attention to the following: 1. Spiritual development. Church activities should strengthen testimonies and foster personal growth. Leaders should ensure that the trek provides participants with opportunities to apply gospel principles and feel support in living them. 2. Physical preparation. Handcart treks require physical stamina; thus, each participant should be encouraged to eat healthy food, exercise regularly, and get sufficient rest before the trek. Doing these things will enhance the experience for each participant. 3. Physical and mental challenges. Some adults and youth who participate in the trek may have physical or mental challenges such as diabetes, blindness, advanced pregnancy, Down syndrome, obesity, or depression. Leaders should make preparations to accommodate any special needs for food, medication, equipment, supervision, or safety for these individuals. 4. Age recommendations. Youth under age 14 usually do not participate in trek activities (see the guidelines for youth conferences in Handbook 2:

Administering the Church, 13.6.14). 5. Adult leadership. For strenuous youth activities, there should usually be at least one adult for every ten youth. 6. Adequate food and water. Dehydration can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and death. Each handcart should carry adequate water for the participants. Leaders should make sure that youth take frequent breaks to drink water and that nutritious food is provided throughout the trek. Food should be stored, prepared, and served safely to prevent foodborne illness. Chickens, turkeys, or other live animals should not be killed during treks. 7. Adequate clothing and shelter. Participants should avoid wearing wet clothing, which can cause body temperature to drop rapidly and can result in hypothermia. To prevent sunburn, participants should wear sunscreen, long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats or bonnets, and sunglasses. To prevent blisters, participants should wear appropriate shoes that fit and are broken in, and socks that do not absorb moisture. They should bring extra clothing and camping gear that are appropriate for cold nights, wind, and rain. 8. Appropriate sanitary facilities. For groups larger than 15 people, trailermounted portable toilets should be provided and maintained in a sanitary condition. For small groups, human waste may be buried in biodegradable containers. Camps should be set up at least 100 feet from any stream or open water. Wastewater should be disposed of at least 200 feet from water sources. Trek groups should carry out all trash and refuse and leave camping areas cleaner than they found them. 9. Local camping and fire regulations. Leaders should know in advance any local camping and fire regulations for the areas where they will stay. They should also know how to contact law enforcement and emergency services. 10. Travel costs and distance. Leaders should follow the guidelines for activities and travel as outlined in Handbook 2: Administering the Church, 13.2.8 and 13.6.24. Safety Leaders should take all necessary precautions to ensure that participants are safe throughout the trek activity. Leaders should focus on preventing illness or injury and on being prepared to provide treatment if necessary. Safety precautions should include the following: 1. All youth participating in the trek activity should complete a Parental or Guardian Permission and Medical Release form (33810). All participating adults should provide necessary information about medical conditions. Leaders should be aware of any participants who have special needs. 2. Licensed health care professionals should be present and available for the entire trek. At least one physician or other skilled health care professional should participate in each trek activity. In addition, one nurse or emergency medical technician (EMT) is recommended for every 50 to 100 participants. 3. Sufficient first-aid supplies should be available to treat dehydration, heat stroke, sunburn, blisters, exhaustion, insect or snake bites, and severe allergies. Supplies for intravenous rehydration should also be available. All adult leaders should be trained to monitor the hydration and general well-

4. 5. 6. 7.

being of participants. Leaders should prepare a written emergency action plan in case of severe weather, lost youth, accidents, or other threats. Leaders should have a reliable and tested emergency communication system, such as a two-way radio and cellular phone. Participants should have continual access to emergency vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles with four-wheel drive and air conditioning. Leaders should be aware of the hazards associated with handcarts and ensure that they are well constructed and able to safely carry trek supplies.

Resources Information on constructing or renting pioneer handcarts is available at www.handcarttreks.com. This website also has information about handcart treks held on Church-owned properties. Other helpful resources include the Young Women Camp Manual (34573) and Boy Scouts of Americas Guide to Safe Scouting.