Uh-Oh

[FMCoug]

So my wife signed us up as "parents" for Trek this summer. I'm screwed. Have totally fallen off the exercising wagon since starting the business ... diet has been okay but not great. Better get my a$$ walkiing though or this is not gonna be pretty.

[San Juan Sun]

If the "Oregon Trail" game taught us anything, it's that these treks have a high mortality rate. Be careful, FMcoug.

[Pheidippides]

If the "Oregon Trail" game taught us anything, it's that these treks have a high mortality rate. Be careful, FMcoug.

[PaloAltoCougar]

FM, if you haven't already done so, go back and read this thread about the trek experiences of cowboy and others, including me. I wasn't happy at all about being conscripted into this, and we were the oldest Ma and Pa by a decade or more. It turned out to be a really great few days, due in part to being given some excellent kids. I was a little slow in coming around to it, and I loathe false enthusiasm, but attitude really does make a difference, and your kids will often follow your lead on that. A bit of good-natured mockery of the whole thing is also called for, I think. I occasionally effected a nice Jed Clampett-style speaking style (actually, it more of a Walter Brennanesque The Real McCoys mien, but few know of that), and loved to call out my "sons" and "daughters." Many months later, at stake and other functions the kids still call out "Pa!"

Meanwhile, start walking. Fortunately, the kids are encouraged to do most or all of the pushing and pulling, so you can hang back, shrug your shoulders, and express regret that while you'd love to do more, you're banned from doing so.

[YOhio]

So my wife signed us up as "parents" for Trek this summer. I'm screwed. Have totally fallen off the exercising wagon since starting the business ... diet has been okay but not great. Better get my a$$ walkiing though or this is not gonna be pretty.

Do everything you can to get out of this, FM. You'll hate every second of it. Especially when considering your stance on Pioneer praise. You'll have to dress up in a silly pioneer costume and trudge around in the dirt for a few days. Don't do it. Move back to Texas if you have to.

[TripletDaddy]

FM, if you haven't already done so, go back and read this thread about the trek experiences of cowboy and others, including me. I wasn't happy at all about being conscripted into this, and we were the oldest Ma and Pa by a decade or more. It turned out to be a really great few days, due in part to being given some excellent kids. I was a little slow in coming around to it, and I loathe false enthusiasm, but attitude really does make a difference, and your kids will often follow your lead on that. A bit of good-natured mockery of the whole thing is also called for, I think. I occasionally effected a nice Jed Clampett-style speaking style (actually, it more of a Walter Brennanesque The Real McCoys mien, but few know of that), and loved to call out my "sons" and "daughters." Many months later, at stake and other functions the kids still call out "Pa!"

Meanwhile, start walking. Fortunately, the kids are encouraged to do most or all of the pushing and pulling, so you can hang back, shrug your shoulders, and express regret that while you'd love to do more, you're banned from doing so.

I missed that thread I guess.

We were a ma and pa years ago before the puffy check. We had a great time. Fun experience. The only thing that made is awkward was the super serious people that kept busting out in Come Come Ye Saints all the time. Depressing.

[BigPiney]

We are doing a trek in our stake this year as well. They in some wisdom, set up a minimum fitness level that youth and adults are to achieve if they are to fully participate. In April, we are to have a run/walk and everyone is supposed to get go 4 miles in 1 hour. They figure that if they can do that they should be able to in good enough shape to do the whole trek. If you aren't able to complete the 4 miles in one hour then you have to get in better shape and then test later.

Youth conference in April will be focusing on fitness and getting these kids in shape. I for one think that this is a great idea. I remember going on a 50 miler as a kid of 14 and having to carry someone elses sleeping bag and pad as well as all of my gear, because this other kid couldn't do it. We have too much obesity in america and in the church, with stupid refreshments at every activity, that I hope they can get away form that a bit for at least this summer.

Each ward in our stake is supposed to supply 5-6 couples to be group leaders. As we discussed this is ward council this week, we could not even come up with 1 couple that was, as of now, physically fit enough to participate. How sad. Granted we have amuch older population in this ward and that does eliminate a lot of people (the counselors in the bishopric are 70 and 80 years old), but to have no one besides my wife and I that meet the physical requirements is very very sad. We will only have 2 young women attending for our ward, so I am sure we can get by without providing as many leaders as other wards with 30+ kids.

Anywho, good luck getting ready.

[kccougar]

Our stake is also participating this year up in Wyoming around Martin's Cove and other actual pioneer locations. However, I'm in charge of logistics so rather than pushing a handcart I'll be setting up and taking down equipment. Hard work, but I won't be sleeping on the ground either - I'm taking the Time Machine.

[Sea Chicken]

We are doing a trek in our stake this year as well. They in some wisdom, set up a minimum fitness level that youth and adults are to achieve if they are to fully participate. In April, we are to have a run/walk and everyone is supposed to get go 4 miles in 1 hour. They figure that if they can do that they should be able to in good enough shape to do the whole trek. If you aren't able to complete the 4 miles in one hour then you have to get in better shape and then test later.

Youth conference in April will be focusing on fitness and getting these kids in shape. I for one think that this is a great idea. I remember going on a 50 miler as a kid of 14 and having to carry someone elses sleeping bag and pad as well as all of my gear, because this other kid couldn't do it. We have too much obesity in america and in the church, with stupid refreshments at every activity, that I hope they can get away form that a bit for at least this summer.

Each ward in our stake is supposed to supply 5-6 couples to be group leaders. As we discussed this is ward council this week, we could not even come up with 1 couple that was, as of now, physically fit enough to participate. How sad. Granted we have amuch older population in this ward and that does eliminate a lot of people (the counselors in the bishopric are 70 and 80 years old), but to have no one besides my wife and I that meet the physical requirements is very very sad. We will only have 2 young women attending for our ward, so I am sure we can get by without providing as many leaders as other wards with 30+ kids.

Anywho, good luck getting ready.

I have mixed feelings on this one. Our stake is doing a trek and they asked my wife and I to go along. Then, when we asked about our daughter who has a disability, they said she can't come because she can't walk 30 miles on her own.
I agree that it is good to encourage the kids to be in shape, but what did the real pioneers do? Leave the cripples back in Nauvoo?

[Uncle Ted]

I have mixed feelings on this one. Our stake is doing a trek and they asked my wife and I to go along. Then, when we asked about our daughter who has a disability, they said she can't come because she can't walk 30 miles on her own.
I agree that it is good to encourage the kids to be in shape, but what did the real pioneers do? Leave the cripples back in Nauvoo?

There was a disabled boy on one of our treks. Being the chief I made him an Indian scout so he rode with me on a horse and helped track and attack the saints. He had a lot of fun.