Trek will provide opportunities for youth to strengthen testimonies, build unity, appreciate their blessings more fully, feel gratitude for the sacrifices of the pioneers, appreciate pioneer heritage, seek guidance to overcome challenges, serve others, and learn core gospel principles (e.g., faith, sacrifice, obedience, charity, and perseverance through adversity).
Yes! To ensure Trek will be fun, youth should bring 1) a good attitude, 2) a willingness to work, and 3) a desire to enjoy the experience! Youth will make new friends, experience miracles, and engage in activities that satisfy the purposes of Trek.
No. Trekkers will work, find value in doing hard things, and experience some of the hardships of the pioneers. That said, the experience will be worth it.
No. All Trek participants will be well-fed and hydrated. Recurring rest and hydration stops will occur while on the trail. Plentiful, healthy meals are planned for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Snacks will be provided in between meals.
Trek will be as safe as possible. While Trek participants will be exposed to nature and the elements, leaders will keep youth away from hazardous situations (e.g., lightning, alligators, snakes, etc.) as much as possible. Leaders will anticipate and take precautions against dehydration, changing weather conditions, trail conditions, and wildlife encounters.
Trek will be held at William Beardall Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area (3365 Taylor Creek Rd, Christmas, FL 32709).
Parents can drop-off (Thursday, June 18 at 9 am) and pick-up their youth (Friday, June 19 at 6 pm) at Tosohatchee Wildlife Preserve. There will be signs directing you to the exact location within the preserve when you arrive (28.5036607, -80.9794474). The drop-off and pick-up location at Tosohatchee will be the same place.
Trek will end Saturday, June 20 at the Cocoa Stake Center (1801 S. Fiske Blvd Rockledge, FL 32955). Drop-off 10 am and pick-up 4 pm.
Trek will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday June 18-20th. Thursday beginning at 9 am and Friday ending 6 pm the youth will be out Trekking at Tosohatchee Wildlife Preserve and camping overnight Thursday. Friday night youth will return to their homes to eat dinner, shower and sleep. Saturday youth will meet at the Cocoa Stake Center from 10 am to 4 pm for games, lunch, classes and the final testimony meeting.
Please be sure to return for the final day Saturday as this will be a significant part of the Trek experience!
Minimum age: youth that turned or will turn 14 in 2026. Maximum age: 18
All the youth will be organized into Trek Families consisting of about 5 young men and 5 young women with a Ma and Pa. Youth will sleep on a large tarps, young women on a tarp with two Ma's (adult leaders) and young men on a tarp with two Pa's (adult leaders). Male and female participants will not sleep in immediate proximity to one another. Another large tarp will be suspended above in an A-frame to provide shelter in the event of rain.
The Trek equipment list, located under "Reference Documents" above, lists items each participant should bring on Trek.
Yes. The Trek registration form includes the question "Does the participant require a special diet?" Answer "yes" to this question and explain your youth's food allergies and dietary restrictions in the accompanying text box. The stake will provide food to meet your youth's nutrition requirements.
Yes. The Trek registration form includes several questions addressing your youth's medical needs and physical restrictions, including allergies, over-the-counter drug medication, and illness information. Answering "yes" to any of these questions will open a text box, where you can explain your youth's needs, concerns, and restrictions. Your youth's Ma and Pa will be confidentially notified of your youth's medical issues. Some youth have prescription medication. Taking this medication as directed by a doctor is the responsibility of the youth and their parents or guardians, not intrinsically the church leaders on Trek. However, if you'd like the Trek church leaders to take an active role in ensuring your youth take their medication, please specifically ask for this when explaining the youth's medical condition on the registration form. The stake will also accommodate any physical limitation your youth might have, so that your youth can actively participate in the growth experience that embodies Trek.
Yes. The stake will provide a medical staff throughout Trek. This staff will administer immediate aid to Trek participants as necessary.
No. Youth and parents/guardians must both consent to all of these items, giving consent for the youth to participate in Trek and receive medical treatment as necessary.
Adults register for Trek using the same form as the youth. Adults fill out the form as the participant. Adults are recommended to put a non-participating adult family member, friend, or neighbor as an emergency contact, but can list a participating spouse if the entire couple is participating in Trek. Since the online form requires both a participant and parent/guardian signature, the adult should sign both signature boxes.
No. The stake budget will cover Trek expenses for your youth.
All Trekkers should bring TWO PAIRS OF FOOTWEAR for Trek and SEVERAL PAIRS OF SOCKS. One pair of COMFORTABLE SHOES which will stay dry and be worn the majority of the trail hiking. Everyone should also bring a pair of WATER SHOES (aqua socks, Teva sandals that strap securely, old tennis shoes, NO FLIP FLOPS) that will get wet. Most of the trails will be dry but some sections will have water ranging from ankle to mid-shin deep. The water shoes need to fit snug to be effective.
Registration is currently closed, but you can still review the event details and FAQs above.
