Leader Handbook
For Ma, Pa, Aunt & Uncle
You have been called to one of the most sacred and impactful roles on this trek. The youth in your care will look to you as their pioneer family.
Key References
Please read through these resources as you prepare. They contain the official Church guidance and the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites expectations that shape every decision we make on the trail.
Your Role
Trek Ma & Pa
The spiritual and physical heart of your pioneer family. You lead daily devotionals, set the tone of unity and faith, and ensure every youth feels seen and valued.
Trek Aunt & Uncle
A flexible support system walking alongside youth who need one-on-one encouragement. You act as a bridge between family carts, ensuring no one is left behind.
Specialty Callings
Beyond family leadership, the trek depends on a few key callings that keep camp running and the Spirit present at every site.
Camp Leader
Oversees all campground logistics and ensures our group’s compliance with Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites (WMTS) campground rules throughout the trek.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage check-in, daily campsite setup and teardown, and quiet-hours compliance
- Coordinate with the Trail Boss and Trek Chairpersons to keep the daily schedule running smoothly
- Serve as the WMTS missionary point of contact on campground matters
- Oversee campfire safety, waste disposal, and overall in-camp wellbeing
- Plan camp games and recreational activities (9 Square, cornhole, Spikeball, etc.) during downtime
Ideal Qualities
Detail-oriented, comfortable directing large groups, and energized by logistics. Physically able to participate fully in the trek.
Music Leader
Coordinates all music throughout the trek experience — on the trail, at vignette sites, and around the campfire — so that every musical moment uplifts and invites the Spirit.
Key Responsibilities
- Teach the youth their trek hymns during the months leading up to July
- Arrange vignettes and recruit youth and adult musicians for trail-site performances
- Lead group singing at opening and closing programs, campfire gatherings, and devotionals
- Work with Trek Chairpersons and ecclesiastical leaders to match music to each trail stop’s spiritual tone
Ideal Qualities
Loves music, comfortable leading a group in song, and feels the Spirit that pioneer hymns can bring to sacred places. Instrument ability is a bonus, not required.
What We Ask of You
- Attend all assigned family meet-ups and training activities (monthly, March–June)
- Complete monthly physical training goals — begin walking now and build gradually
- Learn to recognize signs of heat exhaustion (our #1 safety priority)
- Prepare and lead simple family devotionals on the trail
- Study and pray; come prepared to feel and invite the Spirit
- Ensure every youth in your family feels seen, valued, and never left behind
- Wear pioneer dress on all trekking days — no modern clothing on the trail
- No personal electronics on the trail during trekking days
Key Dates
Register as a Leader
If you have been called to serve in any leadership role — Ma, Pa, Aunt, Uncle, Camp Leader, Music Leader, Trail Boss, Medical, or other support — please register so we can coordinate training and preparation.
Leader Registration