The Martin’s Cove Experience will be held June 24th – June 27th, 2024.

Martin’s Cove, Wyoming. This is where the saints from the Willie and Martin Handcart companies sheltered while awaiting rescue in the fall of 1856. Some of their experiences were made into a film by TC Christensen entitled, “17 Miracles”.

The Martin’s Cove Experience of 2024 is for all youth living in the Bountiful North Canyon stake boundaries who are ages 14 to 18, including those who are 13 but will be turning 14 in 2024. Graduating Seniors are also invited, and we sincerely hope you will attend because you could make a significant difference in the lives of the other youth.

The cost of the Martin’s Cove Experience will be significant, but the Bountiful North Canyon Stake is funding all the cost for our youth to have this amazing experience!

Unfortunately, that won’t work. The remote location, full agenda, and close “family” relationships of the Martin’s Cove Experience make it necessary for youth and adults to attend the entire event. Please make the necessary adjustments in your schedule. This is going to be an amazing opportunity.

Your packing list can be found on this website, on the Packing List page.

A garbage bag that contains your sleeping bag, sleeping pad, small pillow and a coat (please label w/ your name; ward).

On Monday morning you should bring:

• your 5 -allon bucket filled with your personal belongings
• a sack lunch and snacks
• water bottle
• day pack/small backpack.

The day pack should include anything you might need while hiking:

• Tissues or wet wipes
• Sunglasses
• Chapstick
• Rain poncho
• Work gloves
• Extra pair of socks
• Sunblock SPF 30 or above
• Insect repellant with Deet
• Water shoes in ziplock bag
• Copy of the Book of Mormon
• Journal and pen provided by stake

• 7:00 – 7:30am:  Arrive at the stake center (965 Oakwood Dr.) to check-in. Please bring your personal items from the packing list contained in a 5-gallon bucket w/ lid. The bucket and lid will serve as your chair.
• 7:30 – 8:00am:  Meet your MCE family and get acquainted.
• 8:00 – 8:15am:  Open with prayer and the stake presidency will share an introductory message.
• 8:15 – 8:30am load buses / vans.
• 8:30 am:  Depart with an estimated 6-hour travel time.
• 12:30pm:  Lunch at Rock Springs. You need to bring your lunch with you.

Chartered buses and vans will transport us to Martin’s Cove and back. The bus ride can be 6 hours, so you are welcome to bring things to do including scriptures, journal, family history notes from Pioneer ancestry, etc. We will be providing a journal and a pen for each youth.

The first day we will pull handcarts at Sixth Crossing, where members of the Willie Company were rescued. On the second day, we will pull handcarts at Martin’s Cove, where members of the Martin Company gathered.

Approximately 6 miles each day.

Daypack for each youth, water bottles, two 5-gallon water jugs, and cooler with lunches. Youth buckets will remain at basecamp and not be in the handcarts, so you will not have access to their buckets during the day.

We will set up a base camp and will not be carrying our camping gear each day.

Yes, we hope to cross the Sweetwater River each day at both Sixth Crossing and Martin’s Cove. This will be dependent on weather and the river levels and will be decided by our missionary guides. Youth are not allowed to walk barefoot across the river because the rocks can be sharp. Flip-flops are also not recommended as they may get stuck in the mud. We recommend water shoes. After the river crossing, we will stop to allow you to remove your wet shoes, dry your feet and put on dry socks and shoes.

There will be a proficient medical team on the Martin’s Cove Experience who will assist us with any medical needs. Each group will have two medical personnel as they pull their handcarts. There will be a medical tent in camp. Anyone taking prescription medication should bring their medications and keep them in their personal buckets. You are responsible to take any prescribed medication. Over the counter medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antacids, etc. will be available if needed.

We need to know who is going so we can arrange for the necessary transportation, equipment and food preparation. Your medical forms will help the medical team provide you with your necessary care.

We have a fantastic food committee and there will be plenty of good food. Everyone at the Martin’s Cove Experience will be provided with three meals each day and snacks. If you have any significant food allergies, please contact Sister Jessica Miller (mailboxwoman92@gmail.com) as soon as possible.

Each campground has toilets supplied with toilet paper. There are also portable toilets along the trails.

Each family at the Martin’s Cove Experience will set up 3 tents for sleeping. The girls will be in one, the boys in the second, and the Ma and Pa will be in the third tent. We will be camping in the same location for all 3 nights.

Staying hydrated is crucial at the Martin’s Cove Experience. Numerous breaks will be taken while hiking to drink water. Each youth needs to bring their own individual water bottle to refill during these stops. Youth are encouraged to drink at least 8 to 10 ounces of water at every break. You should drink to prevent thirst, not quench it. It would be helpful to cut back on sodas before the MCE.

• Pioneer Dancing
• Pioneer Games/Activities
• Pioneer Story Telling
• Morning Group Devotionals
• Family Activities and Devotionals
• Firesides

Phones and all electronic devices are not allowed at Martin’s Cove. There is no cell service at Martin’s Cove but the Leaders will have an emergency use phone at camp. In addition, the visitor center is two miles away from the campsite with phone access.

In the case of an emergency, parents can call this number: (307) 328-2953. Or, you can email the missionaries at martinscove.ts1@ChurchofJesusChrist.org.