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Show Viewpoint 100 Teens And A Weekend Of Wonder j gy J ACK HI IX , much farther .s J InD'" The weary k 'wavering bet-Vn' bet-Vn' pleading and " IndM, came from SSd girl near i J end of a line of 16 J leader answered .1 tt the darkness spiritually numb, would not and could not appreciate ap-preciate the total quiet, mountain beauty and the chance to examine life's course, take account ac-count and resolve to correct shortcomings. But for most who had participated the conference con-ference to that point, it was a meaningful experience. ex-perience. For some, the 'best of their lives' to that point. To escape from the plastic pleasures of every day living, even for only a short time, was refreshing. It is something we all need to do and do more often. At least I needed it. How did IX) teens behave through the stressful experience of an all night hike on an empty stomach? Most remarkably well. Yes, one or two went down the list of what not to bring and do and brought and did everything listed. But most, nearly all demonstrated qualities not common to the stereotyped 1 two's teen. In fact, I saw much to be optimistic about in the younger generation. Under the gun, they came through. ; J- ..t., one of I, ra'dibTe groans ; Jld be heard above he night noices of the est but the hikers 'l Itinued on and up as J had one for nearly X five hours. . was i:30 a.m. and lhe cloudless sky was so moonless. An eene ;. s Sen chemical hght, ne at each end of the . n line of hikers, provided , : theonly illumination for the group. Occasionally , a flashlight was used : when the trail crossed a s snow fed stream, but for : most of the six mile 1 trail the hikers walked in darkness, warning : h other of logs and rocks to be stepped . over. ' Conversation, when " there was conversation, centered on food. Those ! had eaten before leaving home were - ready for a snack while those who missed supper in order to make J it to the church on time I talked of Big Mac's, j Taco Siesta Burgers and french fries. j With miner ex- ceptions, seven ; 'families' from the 'l Pleasant Grove East j Stake repeated the scene described above, f Thursday, July 17. The 'family,' a married couple and from 11 to 14 teenagers had met each ; other for the first time earlier that evening and after a get acquainted hour, vans had taken . each family to Mutual Dell in AF canyon. At the Dell, backpacks were fitted and at ap-j ap-j proximately 15 minute i intervals, each family i disappeared up the trail and over "bear Roll-; Roll-; off." The unique Youth Conference was designed and directed by Willford Tolman, an instructor at BYU. The Conference had as a goal to stretch each participant and help them realize that they are capable of doing things far beyond what they think is their breaking point. " One of the 'minor exceptions' to the planned hike occurred when Bob and Nancy Oscarson, the parents of one family, got I separated somewhere near Timpanookee. For J several hours the two groups thought the other was lost. They were eventually re-united around 5 a.m. and completed the hike as ' , the sun broke over the I Eastern peaks. Friday's highlight, after a disappointing breakfast of just one orange each, was repelling over a 50 foot cliff. Each participant j 'nd leader had the . opportunity to 'back ! over the edge' and all I but a handful took of j advantage of this ! exhilarating, although 5 -ary, sport Those who j wanted to do it again and those who ! n't will have to wait j for another chance. ! for most of the 90 ! teenagers and more , than 20 leaders, the , Pmise "that this will ne of the best experiences ex-periences of your life",, came true. But that Promise' wasn't realized until near the end of the conference on Saturday. That morning we all hada breakfast of Tang, j intakes and bacon and I eggs. All you could eat. Rooked over an open lre in the clean air, it lasted great, even that I that might have got a Mile close to the fire. then tame the 'solo.' ;i u,nt and one half hour lm; by yursulf in early temples, the j fountains The 1 |