DESERET LAND AND LIVESTOCK SITE, WOODRUFF, UTAH

April 27, 2014

Dedicatory Prayer

Elder Lynn L. Summerhays

Heavenly Father,

We are grateful to gather here this Sabbath day to dedicate the Deseret Land and Livestock Property in its specific use as a pioneer trek site for the missionaries, youth and adults who come here to participate in this activity. We gather here in the name of Thy Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. We dedicate this property this day, by the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood and with sacred authority delegated by Thy living Apostles.

We acknowledge that this property has a central and sacred livestock enterprise that contributes to the building up of Thy kingdom. We express our gratitude for all those that manage and labor in this enterprise. We thank Thee for inspiring them with a spirit of unity with, and support for those involved with the trek activities on the site. We invoke a blessing upon them individually that, as they labor with the right spirit, they and their families will grow and prosper through Thy grace. We also invoke a blessing upon the Livestock endeavor that through Thy grace and power the Livestock operation will prosper in greater measure because trekking is permitted and supported here than it would otherwise prosper if it was not permitted and supported.

We thank Thee for our present and future host stake and their leaders and invoke thy blessings upon them for their kindness, support and leadership.

We now dedicate this property in its use as a site for Pioneer Trek activities.

We invoke, upon all those who come here to participate in Pioneer Trek activities, specific opportunity to partake of powerful blessings of inspiration, protection, unity, harmony, happiness and love. We bless them with the opportunity to feel the spirit of sacrifice of faith-filled pioneers of the past, faith-filled pioneers of the present and gratitude and love for He who offered for them the greatest sacrifice. These opportunities will be realized in relation to participant preparation and righteous desires.

We invoke blessings upon all the missionaries who have, do now and those who will yet serve at this site. We bless them with the opportunity to receive abundant revelation and strong feelings of unity, love and harmony. We invoke blessings of strength beyond their own. We promise them that, if they are willing, thou wilt minister through them day by day to love, lift, strengthen, comfort, heal or bless individual trek participants. We bestow upon them, if they pray in faith for them, special blessings beyond their own capacity to be Thy hands, Thy voice, Thy strength, or Thy love to someone or some ones each day of their service. We also promise that their faith-filled service here will invoke heaven’s blessings upon their family and posterity.

We conclude with our deep love and gratitude for Thee, Father, for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and for the glorious gifts of the Holy Ghost. We promise our very best devotion to Thee in the building of Thy Kingdom and our full-hearted love for our fellow men and do so IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST amen.

• DL&L would ask that you have all your support vehicles, especially those towing the water buffalo and the port-a-potties arrive one-half hour earlier than the main group of trekkers. This allows us to train these individuals on their specific duties, and get these trailers hooked up and ready for the trekkers to use when they arrive at staging.

• Generally, you will need approximately two hours in staging before you begin trekking. The earlier you can arrive the better.

• Have your sound system set up—this is especially important for large groups.

• Have garbage containers available around the staging area.

• DL&L does not provide: Hitches to pull PP’s or water buffalo.

• You need to assign a Support Leader--one specific person the missionaries can coordinate with when getting ready to move support and that can instruct the support team on camp and PP stop setup.

• Make sure you review the directions to our trekking site. Remind your people not to google or GPS DL&L (Deseret Land & Livestock) or they will end up in Woodruff at the ranch headquarters (40 minutes away).

• Make sure to have all your support vehicles arrive at the ranch with a full tank of gas.

• Bring extra gas for any generators you will be using.

• Vehicles towing the water buffalo and PP’s needs a 2-5/16” ball hitch. Hitches need to be at a height of approximately 18 to 20 inches from the ground. You will need three-quarter or one-ton trucks with four-wheel-drive to tow the Water Buffalo. One-half ton or larger trucks for the Port-a-Potty.

• Put vehicle in four-wheel-drive and leave it there while on the ranch.

• Vehicles not acting as a support vehicle must be parked at staging and remain there during the trek.

• Support vehicles must remain in the camp vicinity once they get there. The only exception is the Water Buffalo when water is needed. Do not unhook any trailer while on the ranch.

• Support trailers should not be longer than 25 feet.

• No semi’s or triple axle trailers.

• You are limited to a specific number of support vehicles based on the size of your group. Up to six support vehicles are allowed for any group up to 200 people (1-WB, 1-PP, 1-Kitchen, 1-Medical, 2-other support—your choice). One additional vehicle is allowed for each additional 50 people. For example: Starting at 201 to 250 people = 7 vehicles; 251 to 300 = 8 vehicles; and so on. Additionally, if you rent a 2-holer PP for your support group, you are allowed an extra vehicle.

• The vehicle pulling the Water Buffalo needs to be a pickup truck with an empty bed for taking trash to the dumpster when resupplying water.

Support Vehicles Scale

Participants Vehicles Approved

0-200 6

201-250 7

251-300 8

301-350 9

351-400 10

401-450 11

451-500 12

501-550 13

551-600 14

601-650 15

651-700 16

• Use music as much as possible—it invites the Spirit.

• Encourage youth to bring instruments. Create a youth/trek choir, etc. Instruments might include: fiddle; guitar; harmonica; flute; and etc.

• Encourage families to sing together.

• Remember, DL&L does not provide garbage bags or cans.

• The church stipulates: no meager meals. Groups are to have three well planned meals per day.

• There is no leaving the property for ice so plan accordingly. Bring the ice you need and/or rent a refrigerated trailer.

• Since there are no “base camps,” each night you will camp at a different location. Kitchen must set up and take down every day.

• DL&L recommend that everyone have their own tin or plastic plate to eat off of. Boxes of cut-to-size tin foil sheets can be purchased to use as plate liners. After each meal the foil can be easily discarded. This cuts down on trash and minimizes dish washing.

• How will you be cooking your meals? All cooking must be at least 12” off the ground. This includes propane, Dutch ovens, etc. No fires are allowed on the ground, including propane heaters.

• Only one dumpster is provided for your group. Any trash you can’t fit in your dumpster must be taken home with you. Double sack all heavy trash, especially kitchen trash, particularly watermelon rinds.

• Trekkers are not always at a PP stop at lunchtime as they may be out on a trail away from where kitchen and support are located. In these situations, we suggest you consider using sack lunches that do not require refrigeration. Or if refrigeration is needed, lunches could be stored in a cooler on the handcart. Once you are assigned your trail, you’ll be able to better plan where and when your lunches will take place.

• The ranch/trek mission does not provide medical people or medical assistance. If you have no medical personnel, there will be no trek.

• Trek groups must have a minimum of two medical people.

• It is recommended that at least one medical person is a doctor, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner who is authorized to do medical procedures.

• Larger groups should have one additional medical person for every 50 people over 100.

• Please do not have the medical people assigned to other responsibilities during trek.

• Have the medical people identified in some way for those on the trail to know who they are.

• Medical people need to be able to walk the trail with the trekkers.

• Every medical person needs to have a radio or Walkie-Talkie to stay in contact with trek leaders.

• Medical personnel need to anticipate injuries and be prepared with supplies. Basic supplies should be carried in backpack by medical person as they walk the trail with trekkers.

• Before trek have medical personnel train all Ma’s and Pa’s on how to recognize things like:

• hot spots/blisters

• dehydration

• chafe walk

• heat stroke/sun stroke

• Encourage everyone to start a regular regimen of walking and hydrating before the trek starts.

• Hydration is critical. Each person should bring a water bottle. Water bottles allow trekkers to drink while trekking. Please do not use cups.

• We stop every 20-30 minutes for water breaks and for snacks.

• Make sure medical personnel have a Medical Form from each person (including support) so they are aware of allergies, medication, etc. Have them review these forms before trek so they are aware of any potential problems.

• The medical support vehicle will be at all PP stops and camps.

• The medical vehicle does not follow trekkers on trails.

• Medical vehicle should have a good working A/C unit, and seats should be available for use as needed.

• A medical person does not have to be the driver of the medical vehicle.

• Suggested Activities: firesides, devotionals, testimony meetings, family time, solo time, vignettes, pioneer games, women’s pull, Hoe Downs, Pony Express mail deliveries, and storytelling are all great activities.

• DL&L encourages you to keep a pioneer focus and theme for your activities.

• Vignettes are encouraged but with a few cautions:

  • If not properly planned, the vignette may significantly slow down the trekking process.

  • This is especially a problem in hot weather as trekkers can “bake” while listening to a vignette or waiting for their turn.

  • When a story is told in camp followed by a silent vignette or re-enactment on the trail that does not slow the process, it can be very effective.

• In your planning please remember the ranch rules, consider the area you have to utilize, the weather (especially heat), and the safety of your people.

• No building of any structures.

• Women’s Pull:

• Do you have a plan for your Women’s Pull?

• DL&L recommends no more than 5 to 6 girls/women per cart.

• Determine and plan what kind of experience you want both your young women and young men to have. Then communicate what you would like them to do, or not to do. If you don’t communicate the plan and expectations, you just get what you get. For example: When girls get to the top of the pull, they often want to help those still pulling. Discuss the pros and cons of their helping. (Might this short change the girls who are still on the pull? Should you have the girls ask if they want help.)

• Suggestion: after youth have been separated (boys go up), begin with a short 15-20-minute devotional for each group explaining the purpose of the women’s pull. Likewise, you may want a post-women’s pull discussion of the experience.

• NOTE: The women’s pull has nothing to do with the Mormon Battalion (which was 10 years earlier than the handcart pioneers).

• Share these rules/recommendations with your committees to make them aware of DL&L rules/policies/guidelines and missionary suggestions.

• None of the following is allowed with trek groups while on ranch property: horses, animals, or pets of any kind; mountain bikes; firearms, ammunition, knives (except for kitchen and support staff); round nosed shovels; fireworks; fishing equipment; fishing; hunting; or ATV/RV’s.

• Youth are not to bring cell phones, iPods, iPads or other electronic devices. Leaders (including support), please be discreet. If you need to use yours, move away from the youth. Leaders should bring walkie-talkies to communicate.

• No RVs and/or campers for sleeping accommodations for trekkers, leaders or support people.

• Leave all livestock and wildlife alone.

• Be flexible. We may need to change a route or camp area due to weather conditions, cattle or wildlife.

• What is your plan for the end of trek? Are you going to order a lunch or serve a sack lunch or snack? If you want to order pizza for lunch from Dominoes (307-789-7899) or Pizza Hut (307-789-1372), they will deliver to the ranch. Make sure to place the order at least one week in advance under your unit name so the gate missionary can direct them to the proper staging area. Call to reconfirm your order on Friday.

• If you are using buses, double check the time and date for the buses to arrive. Make sure they have correct directions on how to get to trek staging areas (via exit #191 on I-80).

• Consider utilizing kneeling group prayers for certain occasions. They can be very spiritual, especially before starting trek; before and after the women pull; and at the end of trek before heading home.

• What DL&L provides: Handcarts, pull ropes, pull bars.

• DL&L does not provide: Water coolers, water cooler stands, tarps, garbage bags, poles, tie down ropes, tie down stakes, hammers.

• Please do not:

• Use the handcart ropes and pull bars for activities such as tug-a-wars, jump rope, stick pulling, or baseball bats.

• Hang or tie water coolers to the outside or back of the carts.

• DL&L recommends 6 to 8 youth with a Ma and Pa for each handcart. (No more than 10 people total.)

• Handcarts weigh 200 to 300 pounds.

• Most handcarts beds measure approx 4 feet wide by 5 feet long. Some are larger with a 6 foot bed length. The bed height of the sides and back is approximately 16 -18 inches.

• If flags are used, make your flag poles tall enough so trekkers are not getting flapped in the face.

• These specific items should be in each handcart:

• Two five-gallon jugs for water. Gatorade may be used for one if you choose; but one jug must be filled with water. Make sure jugs are easily accessible at stops.

• Have at least one grocery size plastic trash bag on each handcart (bring replacements).

• Have a basic first aid kit in each handcart.

• Each family should have consecrated oil with them.

• Spray bottles are nice for misting when it is hot.

• DL&L has a few handicap handcarts available for wheelchair bound youth. These carts are heavier because they have suspension. You will need to supply the wheelchair and tie downs. The family must pull the cart.

• Do not leave anything in or on handcarts at the end of trek. This includes tape, string, writing, carving, etc. Zip ties may be used but you are required to remove them at the end of the trek.

• DL&L recommends each handcart have at least one 12x30 foot tarp to use for shade. You will need to provide a way to prop up tarp for shade.

• DL&L does not provide sound systems, or radio.

• Sound System: You will need to bring your own sound system for firesides, devotionals, games, hoedown, etc. Please be sure it is sufficient for the size of your group. It can be very difficult to feel the Spirit when the audience cannot hear what’s being said. If possible, bring a quiet generator to run the sound system and turn off louder generators during meetings.

• Radios: Make sure key people have radios. All medical people must have radios. Inexpensive, basic walkie-talkie units work best. If you rent high tech fancy radio’s that don’t communicate with basic walkie-talkies, you must get enough to also provide each missionary with one. Missionaries must be able to communicate with your key people.

• As mentioned previously, make sure all people driving have the proper directions to the ranch.

• Coordinate between committees so everyone knows what the others are doing and planning.

• Make sure trek and ranch rules are communicated to all participants.

• Meet each night of trek with key leaders to summarize the day and discuss plans for the next day.

• DL&L provides: water, T-Chlor for sanitizing water; one water buffalo; and one garbage dumpster.

• DL&L does not provide: tow hitch; tie down straps; wash stations; spray or water bottles; trash bags.

• Your water buffalo driver should have experience driving and maneuvering a short, heavy trailer.

• Do not unhook the water buffalo from your truck.

• The vehicle pulling the water buffalo needs to be a pickup truck with an empty bed for taking trash to the dumpster. Keep the back of the pick-up clear to carry trash. Breakdown boxes to allow more room for trash, especially with large groups.

• Any trash you can’t fit in your dumpster must be taken home with you!

• T-Chlor will be provided to put into the water when filling the water buffalo.

• The water buffalo driver will need to be accompanied by another person when filling the water buffalo. It is a two-person job and process.

• The water buffalo goes to each PP stop. It does not always go with the kitchen staff. Make sure you consider the water needs of those in camp for drinking, cooking, etc. when the water buffalo is not there. Suggestion: have some 5- or 10-gallon containers to use in this situation.

• Water used on trek is primarily for cooking, drinking and clean-up of dishes. Hand washing stations should be situated near the PP’s. Please help us conserve water.

• DL&L provides: Port-a-potties (cleaned and pumped); PP plugs; waste baskets in each stall.

• DL&L does not provide: Tow hitch; toilet paper; deodorizers; stir sticks; grabbers; cleaning supplies; wash stations; buckets; soap; sanitizer; wastebasket liners; disposable gloves; garbage bags.

• Regular toilet paper is fine—it does not need to be special dissolving RV paper.

• Assign PP drivers well in advance of the trek. Let them know they should plan to sleep somewhere besides their truck as PPs must not be unhooked from the truck.

• Speak with PP drivers about job responsibilities before trek so they are aware of what they need to do and plan for.

• PP driver responsibilities:

• Monitor that only human waste and toilet paper go into PP hole. Anything else will need to be removed by someone in your group. Bring grabbers to use if this happens.

• Feminine products, flushable wipes, and garbage must go in wastebaskets and/or trash bags.

• Unplug at each stop. Pull all steps and ramps down.

• Put plugs back in each time you are moving to a new location. Put ramps up.

• At least once per day clean your PP’s. Spray inside of PP: walls, ceiling, floor, etc. Use a weed sprayer with some kind of cleaning solution like Simple Green, water and bleach.

• Bring a stir stick—a PVC pipe 4 to 5 feet long works. Stir each potty before plugging to keep waste liquefied. This breaks the waste down and helps with odor. It is false to assume that the motion created when driving the PP between locations eliminates the need to stir. The PPs need frequent stirring—especially in camp.

• Trek groups will be assigned a specific number of PP’s based on the size of their group. The number of PP’s you are assigned is calculated at 25 persons per stall.

• Any combination of 4, 6, or 8 stall PP trailers will be assigned to your group to match the total number of people in your group. For example, if you have 250 people in your group, you would likely be assigned a 6-stall trailer and a 4-stall trailer.

• Consider what your support staff will use when they are in a different location than the trekkers. We have 2-stall PP trailers available that rent for $100. If you do rent a 2-stall, we suggest that you reserve this for adult support and leaders only. If you let youth use them, they will fill up very quickly and you will need to use theirs. Note: The vehicle pulling the 2-stall PP does not count against your authorized vehicle limit.

• DL&L recommends that you assign families to clean the PP’s. They stay a lot cleaner when the youth maintain them.

• Bring sturdy disposable surgical gloves for PP drivers and for youth to use when cleaning.

• Air Fresheners: The best thing we have found is a dryer sheet. Tape one or two inside each PP and replace as needed. See Pleasant Port-a-Potties write-up for more ideas.

• Bring plenty of toilet paper. We suggest one to one-and-one-half rolls per person.

• Bring hand washing stations. An empty laundry detergent bottle can be used. Tie a bar of soap in a nylon stocking to the detergent bottle. Put a bucket under the spigot to catch the water so no mud puddles form. We suggest a couple of washing stations per PP trailer. Hand sanitizer alone is not sufficient. You need soap and water to get rid of the dirt.

• Bring plastic grocery bags to line wastebaskets in each PP stall.

• DL&L recommends against designating “Male” and “Female” potties as female PPs fill faster and get over loaded. Also, longer lines tend to stack up at the female PPs.

• Bring large garbage bags to tie on the rail of each PP trailer to collect trash.

• Cowgirl/cowboy stops are sometimes needed. Remember “no trace camping.” No trace means no toilet paper or feminine products are left behind. Human waste can remain on the prairie. Please put used toilet paper and feminine products in a Ziploc bag and then discard it in your handcart trash. For privacy for females, a sheet held by other women works well. We discourage “Pop-Up” tents for privacy as it takes too much additional time and slows the trek down.