Posted on August 4, 2010 - by Blackhawk Staff Writer

TREK 2010

This past weekend, a group of amazing teenagers participated in a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “Trek,” as this adventure is called, is a three day adventure where youths from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints re-enact the struggles and triumphs of their pioneer ancestors who crossed the country pulling handcarts. For Trek 2010, RedRidge at Blackhawk provided an ideal location to host this event that only happens every 4 years.

This year’s event included close to 400 kids arranged into 40 “families.” Each family consists of 10 kids and 2 adults (known as their “ma” and “pa”) arranged so that no one knows anyone else in their new family. Throughout the entire 3 day experience, each family is responsible for pulling their handcart with all of their possessions through meadows, forests, across rivers, and up hills. By the end of Trek, new friendships and bonds are forged through the teamwork each family must rely on.

Each day, the families encounter different obstacles that their ancestors struggled to overcome. And the fun doesn’t stop there! The first night out, organizers arranged for the group to experience the discrimination their forefathers endured in Missouri when the governor issued and extermination order on the Mormons. Close to 30 adults dressed up, painted their faces and came running over the hill to “capture” the group leaders just as everyone was settling down to go to bed. The leaders where then tarred and feathered and the kids were ordered “off the property.” After another 2.5 mile hike in the dark pulling handcarts, the group finally reached their destination for the evening.

Despite the late hour and the initial “scare,” everyone I spoke with considered the first night’s events to be a great experience that opened their eyes to the hardships many have endured…and left the wondering what other surprises were in store for them!

We are so glad that this amazing group could share their Trek 2010 with us here at Blackhawk. Thank you for letting us visit the festivities! We look forward to seeing more of the great pictures and hearing about the memories you all made during this adventure!